Mount Hood National Forest
Oregon · National Forest · Pacific Northwest Region
Mount Hood is an 11,250-foot stratovolcano with year-round snow dominating the Portland skyline, surrounded by one of the varied landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Trillium Lake gives the most famous reflection shot in Oregon: a perfectly still lake surface mirroring the snow-capped summit. Ramona Falls is a 120-foot curtain waterfall in a moss-carpeted basalt amphitheater. Timberline Lodge, the historic WPA-era stone lodge on the south slope, has an alpine meadow setting with the summit above and Portland visible 60 miles below on clear days.
- Best season
- June–October (alpine areas); Year-round at lower elevations
- Permit required
- No
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 75 people
Permit Information
USFS land — no permit or fee required for noncommercial groups under 75 people. Groups of 75+ require a Special Use Permit. Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year) required for parking at most trailheads. Commercial photography may require a separate permit. Timberline Lodge involves the lodge operator for venue access.
Ceremony Spots at Mount Hood National Forest
- Trillium Lake — Classic Mount Hood reflection ceremony on a still alpine lake with the volcano mirrored in the water
- Ramona Falls — Ceremony at a 120-foot curtain waterfall cascading over a mossy basalt amphitheater
- Timberline Lodge Alpine Meadows — Alpine meadow ceremony at 6,000 feet with Mount Hood's summit directly above and Portland visible 60 miles below