Passes and Permits
The passes at a glance
| Pass or permit | Where | When | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreation Pass | Many USFS trailheads (Ramona Falls, Paradise Park, Salmon River, Mirror Lake) | Typically May 1 to Oct 31; Tamanawas Falls year-round | Day-use fee, or a Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency pass |
| Trillium Lake day use | Trillium Lake | 2026: May 1 to Dec 1 | Day-use fee or the annual Northwest Forest Pass only |
| Lost Lake Resort fee | Lost Lake | 2026: May 1 to Oct 10 | Resort day-use fee; federal passes not accepted |
| Wilderness permit | Mount Hood Wilderness portals | May 15 to Oct 15 | Free, self-issued at the trailhead |
| Oregon Sno-Park permit | Winter trailheads (Timberline, Mirror Lake, Trillium) | Nov 1 to Apr 30 | State permit for the vehicle |
| Mt. Hood Climbing Permit | All travel above 9,500 ft | Year-round | Online on recreation.gov, one per climber, fee applies |
| Multnomah Falls timed-use permit | I-84 Exit 31 parking lot | Late May to early September, 9 am to 6 pm | recreation.gov, small fee |
Recreation Pass
At many USFS trailheads on the mountain, a Recreation Pass is required, typically from May 1 to October 31. The USFS uses the term for three ways of paying: a day-use fee, an annual Northwest Forest Pass, or an Interagency (America the Beautiful) pass. On the Mirror Lake page it states that the "Northwest Forest pass and Interagency pass is accepted in lieu of day use fee." At Tamanawas Falls the requirement applies year-round. The USFS also notes that "Not all day use sites on the Forest require fees, but some do", and that "the type of pass accepted depends on the concessionaire". The USFS passes page has the current list. No amounts are printed here; the fee shows at the pay station or point of sale.
The exceptions
- Trillium Lake. "The only recreation pass accepted in lieu of day use fee payment is the ... Annual Northwest Forest Pass", per the USFS. An Interagency pass does not cover it. See the Trillium Lake page.
- Lost Lake. Lost Lake Resort runs the site under a USFS special use permit and charges its own day-use fee. "The Northwest Forest Pass and Interagency Pass are not accepted."
- Timberline Lodge. "Recreation passes are not required ... in the summer; it’s free to park", per the USFS. See the Timberline Lodge page.
- Cloud Cap (Cooper Spur). The USFS says "The Annual Northwest Forest Pass may be used as fee payment."
Wilderness permits
The Mount Hood Wilderness covers the upper mountain and many of its trails. The USFS states: "Free, self-issued Wilderness permits are required from May 15 to October 15 when provided at a portal." Hikers fill one out at the trailhead. This applies on trails such as Ramona Falls, Paradise Park and the Timberline Trail, and on the Pacific Crest Trail from Timberline to Zigzag Canyon. The Wilderness permit does not replace a Recreation Pass where one is required; both can apply at the same trailhead.
Oregon Sno-Park permits
From November 1 through April 30, an Oregon Sno-Park permit is required to park at winter trailheads, including Timberline, Mirror Lake and Trillium Lake, per the USFS. At Mirror Lake the Recreation Pass applies in the warmer months and the Sno-Park permit in winter.
The climbing permit
A Mt. Hood Climbing Permit is required "for all travel above 9,500 feet in elevation in the Mount Hood Wilderness". It is not free: a fee applies, and it is bought on the Mt. Hood Climbing Permit on recreation.gov as a single-trip 3-day or an annual permit, one per climber. It is unlimited, cannot sell out and is valid immediately. The old free self-issued climbing permit no longer exists. The climbing permit page covers the details.
Multnomah Falls timed-use permit
On the way to the mountain via the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls has its own system. A timed-use permit is needed for the I-84 Exit 31 parking lot from late May to early September, daily from 9 am to 6 pm; in 2026 it ran from May 22 to September 7. Visitors arriving on the Historic Columbia River Highway, by transit or by bicycle are exempt. Permits are released 14 days ahead at 7 am Pacific time, with a second release 2 days ahead, and "A Timed Use Permit reservation does not guarantee parking." ODOT reports that the 2026 season has ended and that information for 2027 will be posted. The USFS Multnomah Falls page and the Multnomah Falls page have more.
Two of the day tours include this permit, according to their listings: the Portland: Mt. Hood Day Tour and the Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Day Tour both list "Multnomah Falls permit and parking fees" in permit season.
What is not required
No timed-entry system for Mount Hood trailheads was found in the USFS sources checked, and the climbing permit needs no advance reservation. Hikers on the day trails need no climbing permit, since the highest trail point is about 8,500 ft on Cooper Spur.
A Northwest Forest Pass is the one pass accepted at Trillium Lake, Cloud Cap and the standard USFS trailheads alike. It does not cover Lost Lake Resort.
For a day at the mountain without passes
For visitors who would rather not sort out parking permits, the Portland: Mt. Hood Day Tour lists hotel pickup in central Portland, the Multnomah Falls permit and parking fees in permit season, and 30 minutes at Timberline Lodge, according to its listing.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a pass to hike at Mount Hood?
At many trailheads, yes: a Recreation Pass (day-use fee, Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency pass), plus a free Wilderness permit from May 15 to October 15 in the Mount Hood Wilderness. See the day hikes page for each trail.
Is the Interagency pass accepted at Trillium Lake?
No. The USFS accepts only the annual Northwest Forest Pass in place of the day-use fee there. See the Trillium Lake page.
Do you need a Sno-Park permit at Timberline Lodge?
From November 1 to April 30, yes. In summer no pass is needed, per the USFS. See the Timberline Lodge page.
Is the Mount Hood climbing permit the same as a Wilderness permit?
No. The climbing permit is paid, bought on recreation.gov and required above 9,500 ft. The Wilderness permit is free and self-issued. See the climbing permit page.