Mt. Hoodfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Mt. Hood National Forest.
Right now in Mt. Hood · September
- Wilderness permits at trailheads · May–Oct
- Timberline Trail season · Jul–Oct
24days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 68% chanceTuesday, Tuesday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 11:41 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Mt. Hood National Forest
First frost usually in ~2 weeks
Oct 9Average first fall frost
May 27Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Government Camp station (0.6 mi away, 3,980 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Mt. Hood National Forest through the year
- Wilderness permits at trailheadsNowMay–Oct
- Timberline Trail seasonNowJul–Oct
- Trillium Lake Sno-Park seasonNov–Apr
Best spots around Mt. Hood National Forest
- Hood River ValleyVine and bigleaf maples below the summit of Mt. Hood
- Timberline TrailAbout 40 miles around Mt. Hood, near tree line
- Trillium LakeA 2-mile loop around the lake, with Mt. Hood views3,600 ft3,600 ft
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Timberline Trail #600 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Fall Colors (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Trillium Lake Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Mt. Hood National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Mt. Hood National Forest yet. Statewide for Oregon: color is usually well under way by late October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Mt. Hood National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 24 days (usually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
When can you hike the Timberline Trail?
Its season runs July through October. From May 15 to October 15, a free self-issued wilderness permit is required where a trailhead has one, and most backpackers take 3 or 4 days for the loop.Source: US Forest Service, Timberline Trail #600 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the road to Trillium Lake open in winter?
No: recreation gates close vehicle access from December 1 to April 1 each year, and an Oregon Sno-Park permit is needed from November 1 to April 30.Source: US Forest Service, Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Mt. Hood National Forest?
Hood River Valley: vine and bigleaf maples below the summit of Mt. Hood; Timberline Trail: about 40 miles around Mt. Hood, near tree line; Trillium Lake: a 2-mile loop around the lake, with Mt. Hood views.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Mt. Hood National Forest?
Wilderness permits at trailheads (May–Oct).
What is Mt. Hood National Forest like through the year?
Wilderness permits at trailheads (May–Oct), Timberline Trail season (Jul–Oct) and Trillium Lake Sno-Park season (Nov–Apr).