Walk-Up8/10
Mt. Hood Timberline Trail permit
Circle Oregon's most iconic peak on a 41-mile loop through alpine meadows, past ...
Walk-UpOvernightModerate Demand
McNeil Point Shelter Permit
Dramatic viewpoint and historic stone shelter with close-up views of Mount Hood's glaciers.
“A stone shelter on a shoulder of Mount Hood, looking out over the watershed that supplies Portland its drinking water.”
How to get McNeil Point
McNeil Point is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get McNeil Point
McNeil Point is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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McNeil Point Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelModerate6/10
CostNo permit fee published for this trail
This permit is not bookable online
You get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone. There is no online reservation to race for, so availability alerts do not apply. We still track key dates and season info for your trip.
Official permit page →Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand Level6/10
LocationMount Hood Wilderness, Oregon Cascades, OR
Pro Tips
- •Do not go before July without traction. The Forest Service says the melt-out often runs through June and recommends snowshoes or traction devices until it is clear
- •The trail begins at the Timberline Trail, so plan the approach as part of the day rather than an afterthought
- •Access is from the north side via Lolo Pass Road / Forest Road 18, then Muddy Fork Road and Forest Road 1825
- •The Bull Run watershed is closed to public entry — McNeil Point is one of the few places you can see into it
- •Fill out a free self-issued wilderness permit if there is a portal box at your trailhead, May 15 to October 15
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1 day
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A short trail off the Timberline Trail, not a standalone route from a parking lot
- •Snow drifts well into the summer — the Forest Service says the melt-out often runs through June
- •Views over the Bull Run watershed, which is closed to public entry and can only be seen from outside it
- •A stone shelter at the end
Best Time to Visit
After the melt-out, which the Forest Service says often runs through June. That makes July through September the practical window. Earlier than that and you should be carrying traction and expecting to navigate across snow.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Deep snow drifts persisting into summer, which the Forest Service calls out specifically
- !Steep snow on a high shoulder, where a slip has consequences
- !Route-finding across drifted terrain before the trail melts out
- !Weather changing fast at elevation with no shelter but the one at the top
How to Get This Permit
1
Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued — and any fee — at U.S. Forest Service before your trip.
2
Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served, and quotas can fill early on weekends and holidays.
3
Have backup plans
Popular trailheads may be full. Know alternative routes or dates in case your first choice is unavailable.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: July through SeptemberShoulder: Late June and October
Conditions
Under snow. The Forest Service says this trail often takes until the end of June to melt out.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Empty
Challenges
- !Deep drifts
- !Route-finding
- !Traction required
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Hikers already committed to a long day on the Timberline Trail who want the best north-side view on the mountain.
Recommended Experience
Comfort on steep snow if you go before July, and the navigation to follow a trail that is partly buried.
Not Recommended For
Early-season hikers without traction — the Forest Service is explicit about the drifts.
About This Permit
McNeil Point is a stone shelter on the northwest side of Mount Hood, reached by a short trail off the Timberline Trail. Mt. Hood National Forest describes the payoff as excellent views of the Bull Run watershed and the surrounding mountains to the north.
The Forest Service publishes one persistent warning about it: this is a high-elevation trail that can take a long time to melt out for summer hiking, often through June. It tells hikers to come prepared to run into deep snow drifts here and there, and recommends snowshoes or other snow traction devices until the trail is clear.
Access is from the north side of the mountain via Lolo Pass Road. Mt. Hood National Forest publishes no permit requirement on this trail's page. It does state, on its Ramona Falls page, that free self-issued wilderness permits are required in the Mount Hood Wilderness from May 15 to October 15 where they are provided at a portal — so fill one out if there is a box at whichever trailhead you start from, and expect a Recreation Pass requirement at the trailhead as at other Mt. Hood sites.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Mt. Hood National Forest describes McNeil Point Trail as a short hike from the Timberline Trail up to the McNeil Point Shelter, with excellent views of the Bull Run watershed and the surrounding mountains to the north. The shelter is the destination, and the Bull Run is the view you cannot get any other way — the watershed is closed to public entry.
The Route
The Forest Service is specific about the shape of this one: the trail begins at the Timberline Trail and ends at McNeil Point. It is the last section of a longer day rather than a standalone trail from a parking lot.
It is also a high-elevation trail that can take a long time to melt out for summer hiking, often through June. The Forest Service tells hikers to come prepared to run into deep snow drifts here and there, and recommends snowshoes or other snow traction devices until it is clear.
Access is from the north side of the mountain: Highway 26 east towards Zigzag, north onto Lolo Pass Road / Forest Road 18 for about four miles, east onto Muddy Fork Road, east onto Forest Road 1825 and north into the McNeil Campground area.
The Feeling
High, open, and late-melting. Snow drifts hang on in shaded pockets here long after the rest of the mountain has dried out.
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness restrictions apply in the Mount Hood Wilderness
- •Mt. Hood National Forest states that free, self-issued wilderness permits are required from May 15 to October 15 when provided at a portal — fill one out if there is a box at your trailhead
Gear Checklist
Required
- Traction. The Forest Service recommends snowshoes or other snow traction devices until the trail is clear, and the melt-out often runs through June
- Navigation, because drifted snow hides the tread
- Layers for a high, exposed shoulder of the mountain
Recommended
- Trekking poles for drifted snow crossings
- Gaiters
- A map of the Timberline Trail, since that is how you get here
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for McNeil Point
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Timberline Trail
Where McNeil Point Trail begins. This is not a trail you reach directly from a parking lot.
McNeil Point Shelter
The destination. Mt. Hood National Forest: excellent views of the Bull Run watershed and the surrounding mountains to the north.
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for McNeil Point.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
McNeil Point FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike to McNeil Point?
Mt. Hood National Forest publishes no permit requirement on the McNeil Point Trail page itself. It does state, on its Ramona Falls Trail page, that free self-issued wilderness permits are required in the Mount Hood Wilderness from May 15 to October 15 when provided at a portal, so fill one out if there is a box at the trailhead you start from. Expect a Recreation Pass requirement for parking, as at other Mt. Hood trailheads.
When does the McNeil Point trail melt out?
Often not until the end of June. Mt. Hood National Forest describes it as a high-elevation trail that can take a long time to melt out for summer hiking, and tells hikers to come prepared to run into deep snow drifts here and there, recommending snowshoes or other snow traction devices until it is clear.
What can you see from McNeil Point?
Mt. Hood National Forest describes excellent views of the Bull Run watershed and the surrounding mountains to the north. The Bull Run is Portland's drinking water supply and is closed to public entry, so this is one of the few vantage points over it.
How do you get to the McNeil Point trailhead?
From Portland: east on Highway 26 towards Zigzag, north onto Lolo Pass Road / Forest Road 18 for about four miles, east onto Muddy Fork Road, east onto Forest Road 1825, then north into the McNeil Campground area. The McNeil Point Trail itself begins up at the Timberline Trail.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening from the shelter, looking north over the Bull Run watershed.
Best Light
Clear autumn mornings, when the haze is gone and the northern peaks stack up behind the watershed.
Beat the Crowds
The approach length filters most people out. Weekdays, and before the Timberline Trail crowd is moving.
Classic Shots
- 📍The stone shelter with Mount Hood behind it
- 📍The Bull Run watershed spread out to the north
- 📍Snow drifts across the trail in early July, which is the honest picture of this hike
- 📍Mount Adams, St. Helens and Rainier lined up on a clear day
Can't Get a McNeil Point Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Ramona Falls
Easier AlternativeA 7-mile loop with 1,000 feet of gain to a waterfall over columnar basalt, on the same side of the mountain.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far less climbing and no snow problem, but an unbridged glacial river crossing.
Paradise Park
Similar ExperienceAlpine meadows on the southwest flank, reached by Trail #778 with about 2,960 feet of climbing.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
A different aspect of the mountain and a trail that melts out earlier.
Timberline Trail #600
Similar ExperienceThe full loop around Mount Hood, which is how you reach McNeil Point in the first place.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
A multi-day trip with glacial river crossings instead of a single long day.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your McNeil Point trip
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