Walk-Up8/10
Mt. Hood Timberline Trail permit
Circle Oregon's most iconic peak on a 41-mile loop through alpine meadows, past ...
Walk-UpOvernightHigh Demand
Paradise Park Loop Permit
12-mile loop from Timberline Lodge through Mount Hood's famous wildflower meadows.
“Nearly 3,000 feet up a forested ridge to an alpine meadow the Forest Service calls one of the best wildflower displays on Mount Hood.”
How to get Paradise Park
Paradise Park 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 Paradise Park
Paradise Park 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.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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Paradise Park Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 1 (Recreation Pass requirement begins) - October 31
CostNo permit fee. A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31
Paradise Park Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Paradise Park in Mt. Hood Wilderness, Oregon requires a permit issued via walk-up.
- Paradise Park is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Paradise Park runs May 1 (Recreation Pass requirement begins) through October 31.
- The Paradise Park route covers 13.7 miles, rated strenuous.
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
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 (Recreation Pass requirement begins) - October 31
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand Level7/10
LocationMount Hood Wilderness, Oregon Cascades, OR
Pro Tips
- •There is no water at the trailhead — the Forest Service lists it as unavailable. Carry everything
- •The Forest Service publishes this trail segment by segment; the sum is about 6.35 miles to the Paradise Park Loop Trail junction and 6.85 to the viewpoint at 6,240 feet
- •A valid Recreation Pass is required at the trailhead May 1 to October 31
- •The posted trailhead has moved before — the last condition note put it in the field across from the Paradise Park Christian Camp cabin. Check current conditions before you drive
- •Part of the trail was rebuilt in 1999 with gentler switchbacks, so it climbs steadily rather than brutally
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
13.7 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 days
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
2,800 - 6,240 ft
Highlights
- •About 6.35 miles and roughly 2,960 feet of climbing to reach the Paradise Park Loop Trail junction
- •A ridgeline that the Forest Service specifically says is not precariously exposed, including for stock
- •Meadows the Forest Service calls known for outstanding wildflowers
- •No water at the trailhead
- •A Recreation Pass requirement from May 1 to October 31
Best Time to Visit
The Recreation Pass window of May 1 to October 31 brackets the practical season. Wildflowers in the meadows are the reason most people come, and they follow snowmelt — high summer rather than early summer in a heavy year. Late September gives you the clearest views of the mountain and the emptiest trail.
Hazards & Considerations
- !A sustained climb with no water source at the trailhead
- !Snow lingering in the upper meadows well into the summer
- !Afternoon weather on an exposed alpine bench with no shelter
- !Trail conditions past the wilderness boundary; the Forest Service's most recent posted condition note flagged that the trail was cleared of logs only as far as the wilderness boundary and may be impassible beyond
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Day 3: 69% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
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66°
46°
Sun
🌧️
60°
45°
29%
Mon
🌧️
53°
40°
69%
Tue
☁️
59°
38°
Wed
☁️
69°
39°
Thu
☀️
73°
41°
Fri
☀️
76°
43°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
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: Mid-July through AugustShoulder: Late June and September
Conditions
The Recreation Pass requirement starts May 1, but the upper meadows are still under snow.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Quiet
- +Water running in the drainages
Challenges
- !Snow up high
- !Meadows not out yet
- !Trail conditions unknown past the wilderness boundary
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Strong day hikers and backpackers who want the meadows without the full Timberline Trail commitment.
Recommended Experience
Comfort with a sustained 3,000-foot climb.
Not Recommended For
Anyone expecting water on the way up. There is none at the trailhead and the Forest Service says so.
About This Permit
Paradise Park is an alpine meadow on the southwest flank of Mount Hood, reached by Paradise Park Trail #778 from Forest Road 2639-021. Mt. Hood National Forest describes it as climbing a forested ridge above the north side of the Zigzag River and eventually accessing the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and Paradise Park itself, with outstanding views of the mountain and meadows known for outstanding wildflowers.
The trail begins at 2,800 feet and ends at Paradise Park Loop Trail #757 at 5,760 feet, with the trail continuing a further half mile through alpine meadows to a viewpoint at 6,240 feet. Summing the Forest Service's own segment distances gives about 6.35 miles to the #757 junction and 6.85 to the viewpoint.
The Forest Service lists one requirement on this trail's page: a valid Recreation Pass at the Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31, plus wilderness restrictions. It also lists water availability at the trailhead as No. Free self-issued wilderness permits are the norm in this wilderness — the Forest Service states on its Ramona Falls page that they are required from May 15 to October 15 where provided at a portal — so fill one out if there is a box on your way in.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Paradise Park is where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the southwest flank of Mount Hood, and the Forest Service description of Trail #778 is unusually specific about the reward: an outstanding view of Mount Hood while passing through meadows known for outstanding wildflowers.
The Route
Mt. Hood National Forest maps Trail #778 segment by segment. It begins at Forest Road 2639-021 at 2,800 feet and climbs gradually before starting up several switchbacks to a flat point after 1.7 miles. It continues northwest 0.7 mile to a ridgeline, then follows that ridgeline and climbs 3.25 miles to the junction with Zigzag Mountain Trail #775, with nice views of the Zigzag Canyon along the way.
Continue straight on #778 and after 0.2 mile you reach the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail #2000. From there it is another 0.5 mile through meadows and more open forest to Paradise Park Loop Trail #757, at 5,760 feet — the old end of the trail. It carries on a further 0.5 mile through alpine meadows to a spectacular viewpoint at 6,240 feet.
Add those segments up and it is about 6.35 miles to the #757 junction and 6.85 to the viewpoint. Part of the trail was reconstructed in 1999, turning the steeper sections into more gradual switchbacks, and the Forest Service notes that while it follows a ridgeline it is not an exposed ridge that would be precarious for stock.
The Feeling
A long forested ridge with the Zigzag Canyon opening up below you, then the trees thin and the meadows start and the mountain fills the sky.
Trailhead Information
Paradise Park Trailhead (Forest Road 2639-021)
2,800 ft elevationThe start of Paradise Park Trail #778, at 2,800 feet.
Restrooms
No water
Parking
A valid Recreation Pass is required from May 1 to October 31.
Getting There
From Sandy: follow US-26 east 22 miles and turn left (north) at Kiwanis Camp Road / Forest Road 2639, about 0.6 mile east of milepost 48. Travel 1.2 miles to Forest Road 2639-021, turn left and park near the end of the road.
Nearest Services
Sandy or Zigzag, Oregon.
Rules & Regulations
- •A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31
- •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
- All your water. The Forest Service lists water availability at this trailhead as No
- Layers for a 3,400-foot elevation change
- Sun protection for the open meadow sections up high
Recommended
- Trekking poles for a long descent
- A stove rather than a fire; wilderness restrictions apply
- Traction early in the season, when the upper meadows hold snow
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Paradise Park
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
⛰️
6,240ft
High📏
6.8mi
DistanceClick on a marker to view details•6 landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Paradise Park.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Paradise Park FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike to Paradise Park on Mount Hood?
Mt. Hood National Forest lists one requirement on the Paradise Park Trail #778 page: a valid Recreation Pass at the Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31, plus wilderness restrictions. The forest also states, 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 provided at a portal — so fill one out if there is a box at the trailhead.
How long is the hike to Paradise Park on Trail #778?
The Forest Service publishes it in segments: 1.7 miles to a flat point, 0.7 mile to the ridgeline, 3.25 miles along the ridgeline to the Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 junction, 0.2 mile to the PCT #2000 junction, then 0.5 mile to Paradise Park Loop Trail #757. That totals about 6.35 miles one way, with a further 0.5 mile to a viewpoint at 6,240 feet.
How much elevation gain is the Paradise Park trail?
The trail begins at Forest Road 2639-021 at 2,800 feet and ends at Paradise Park Loop Trail #757 at 5,760 feet, so about 2,960 feet of gain. Continuing to the viewpoint at 6,240 feet makes it roughly 3,440 feet.
Is there water at the Paradise Park trailhead?
No. Mt. Hood National Forest lists water availability at this trailhead as No. Carry everything you need for a sustained climb.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening light on Mount Hood from the meadows, which face the right way for it.
Best Light
Late September mornings, when the air clears and the mountain reads sharp.
Beat the Crowds
The 3,000-foot climb does most of the filtering. Weekdays and late September do the rest.
Classic Shots
- 📍Mount Hood over the Paradise Park meadows
- 📍Zigzag Canyon from the ridgeline climb
- 📍Wildflowers in the foreground with the mountain behind
- 📍The PCT junction sign, which is where a lot of thru-hiker photographs get taken
Can't Get a Paradise Park 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 on columnar basalt, on the same forest.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A third of the climbing, but an unbridged glacial river crossing that the Forest Service says will never be bridged.
McNeil Point Shelter
Similar ExperienceA short hike off the Timberline Trail to the stone shelter, with views over the Bull Run watershed.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
Higher and later to melt out — often through June — with a different aspect on the mountain.
Timberline Trail #600
Similar ExperienceThe full circumnavigation of Mount Hood, which passes through Paradise Park.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
A multi-day commitment with several glacial river crossings rather than a long day.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Paradise Park trip
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