Walk-Up8/10
Mt. Hood Timberline Trail permit
Circle Oregon's most iconic peak on a 41-mile loop through alpine meadows, past ...
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Ramona Falls Trail Permit
Popular day hike or overnight to scenic 120-foot mossy waterfall on Mount Hood.
“A seven-mile loop to a waterfall that fans down a wall of columnar basalt — with an unbridged glacial river in the middle of it that the Forest Service says will never be bridged.”
How to get Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls 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 Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls 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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Ramona Falls Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonApril 1 (trailhead gate opens, later in a heavy snow year) - October 31 (Recreation Pass requirement ends)
Cost$5 per vehicle per day at Ramona Falls Trailhead, or a valid Recreation Pass. The wilderness permit itself is free and self-issued
Ramona Falls Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Ramona Falls in Mt. Hood Wilderness, Oregon requires a permit issued via walk-up.
- Ramona Falls is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Ramona Falls runs April 1 (trailhead gate opens, later in a heavy snow year) through October 31 (Recreation Pass requirement ends).
- The Ramona Falls route covers 7 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
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
SeasonApril 1 (trailhead gate opens, later in a heavy snow year) - October 31 (Recreation Pass requirement ends)
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand Level7/10
LocationMount Hood Wilderness, Oregon Cascades, OR
Pro Tips
- •Cross in the morning. Glacial melt pushes the Sandy River up through the afternoon, so the crossing you liked on the way in can be worse on the way out
- •The gate opens April 1 but snow can delay it — check the forest's current conditions before driving out
- •High-clearance vehicle strongly recommended for the trailhead road
- •Fill out the free self-issued wilderness permit at the portal box between May 15 and October 15
- •There is no bridge and there never will be one; the Forest Service states that outright
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
7 miles
Elevation Gain
1,000 ft
Route Type
Loop
Duration
1 day
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
2,440 - 3,442 ft
Highlights
- •A free self-issued wilderness permit from a portal box, May 15 to October 15
- •A $5 per vehicle per day fee, or a valid Recreation Pass, May 1 to October 31
- •An unbridged crossing of a glacial river with strong currents, one mile in
- •Large sections with no tree cover — the Forest Service says to bring sun protection and plenty of water
- •A rough access road where high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended
Best Time to Visit
The trailhead gate opens April 1, though snow can delay it, and the Recreation Pass requirement runs through October 31. Early season means high, cold water at the crossing; late summer and early autumn generally mean the lowest, most manageable flow. Cross in the morning either way.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The Sandy River crossing. It is unbridged by design, glacial, and the Forest Service warns of strong currents and tells hikers to know when to turn around
- !Flow that rises through the day as glacial melt increases — the crossing you did in the morning is not the crossing you get in the afternoon
- !Sun exposure on long stretches with no tree cover
- !A very rough access road
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: 81% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
🌧️
53°
38°
81%
Sun
🌧️
40°
34°
31%
Mon
☁️
58°
36°
Tue
☁️
60°
38°
Wed
☀️
61°
41°
Thu
☀️
66°
44°
Fri
☀️
71°
48°
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: July through SeptemberShoulder: Late spring and October
Conditions
Gate opens April 1 if snow allows. The Sandy River runs high on snowmelt.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Full waterfall flow
- +Green and cool
- +Fewer people than summer
Challenges
- !The crossing at its most dangerous
- !Gate may still be closed
- !Snow on the upper trail
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Day hikers comfortable fording a cold, fast river without a bridge.
Recommended Experience
Experience judging a river crossing, or the willingness to turn around at one.
Not Recommended For
Children and pets — the Forest Service says so directly, because of the crossing.
About This Permit
Ramona Falls is a 7-mile round trip into the Mount Hood Wilderness on the Mt. Hood National Forest, gaining about 1,000 feet over the 3.5 miles to the falls. The Forest Service classifies it as challenging and does not recommend it for children or pets.
Two things are required. Free, self-issued wilderness permits are required from May 15 to October 15 where they are provided at a portal — the box is on the way in, and you fill one out and keep half. A valid Recreation Pass is required at Ramona Falls Trailhead from May 1 to October 31, or you pay $5 per vehicle per day.
The gate to the trailhead opens April 1 but may open later depending on snow, and the road in is very rough enough that the Forest Service strongly recommends a high-clearance vehicle. Check the forest's current conditions page rather than assuming; this is a road and a river crossing whose state changes.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Mt. Hood National Forest describes the Sandy River, a designated Wild and Scenic River, as a dramatic example of what a glacial-fed river can do to a landscape, with physical signs of a volcanic debris flow from over 200 years ago visible where the trail runs near it. The crossing is not an inconvenience on the way to the falls; it is the point of the place.
The Route
From the Ramona Falls Trailhead you take the Sandy River Trail one mile eastward to where it crosses the Sandy River. The Forest Service is unambiguous: there is no bridge, nor will one be installed. The Pacific Crest Trail #2000 overlaps with Ramona Falls for a couple of miles in this area.
Hikers can choose either direction around the loop — the Forest Service says it is about the same distance either way — while equestrians going to Ramona Falls stay on the southern side of the loop above the Sandy River. Overall the route is a gentle climb gaining 1,000 feet over the 3.5 miles to the falls, for a 7-mile round trip.
The two things that catch people are the crossing and the sun. Mt. Hood National Forest warns that there are large sections with no tree cover and to come prepared with sun protection and plenty of water, and separately that the trail is considered challenging and is not recommended for children and pets.
The Feeling
Open, sunbaked stretches with no tree cover, then the Sandy River braided across gravel, then a cool green side canyon and Ramona Falls spreading over the basalt at the end of it.
Trailhead Information
Ramona Falls Trailhead
The access for the Ramona Falls loop, which enters the Mount Hood Wilderness. PCT #2000 overlaps the route for a couple of miles.
Restrooms
No water
Parking
A valid Recreation Pass is required from May 1 to October 31, or $5 per vehicle per day.
Getting There
The gate opens April 1 but may open later due to snow, and the road to the trailhead is very rough — Mt. Hood National Forest strongly recommends high-clearance vehicles.
Nearest Services
Zigzag, Oregon.
Rules & Regulations
- •Free, self-issued wilderness permits are required from May 15 to October 15 when provided at a portal
- •A valid Recreation Pass is required at Ramona Falls Trailhead from May 1 to October 31
- •Wilderness restrictions apply throughout the Mount Hood Wilderness
- •Equestrians heading to Ramona Falls stay on the southern side of the loop above the Sandy River
Gear Checklist
Required
- Sun protection and more water than the distance suggests — the Forest Service singles out the exposed sections
- Footwear you can cross a cold, fast, glacial river in
- Trekking poles for the crossing, which is where they earn their keep
Recommended
- A change of socks for after the river
- A high-clearance vehicle, or a willingness to walk the last of a rough road
- Water treatment if you plan to refill
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Ramona Falls
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
↑
1,000ft
Gain↓
1,000ft
Loss⛰️
3,442ft
High📏
3.5mi
Distance📐
5.4%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•3 landmarks
Landmarks (3)
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Ramona Falls.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Ramona Falls FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike to Ramona Falls?
Yes, but it is free. Mt. Hood National Forest requires free, self-issued wilderness permits from May 15 to October 15 where they are provided at a portal — you fill one out at the box and carry your half. Separately, a valid Recreation Pass is required at Ramona Falls Trailhead from May 1 to October 31, or $5 per vehicle per day.
How long is the hike to Ramona Falls?
Seven miles round trip. Mt. Hood National Forest describes the route as a gentle climb gaining 1,000 feet over the 3.5 miles to the falls, and says the loop is about the same distance in either direction.
Is there a bridge over the Sandy River on the Ramona Falls trail?
No. The Forest Service states plainly that there is no bridge, nor will one be installed. Hikers must cross a glacial river with strong currents one mile in from the trailhead, and the Forest Service advises using extreme caution and knowing when to turn around.
Is the Ramona Falls trail suitable for children or dogs?
Mt. Hood National Forest says it is not recommended for children and pets, because of the unbridged glacial river crossing. The trail is otherwise a gentle grade.
When does the Ramona Falls trailhead open?
The gate opens April 1, but the Forest Service notes it may open later due to snow. The road to the trailhead is very rough and high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
The falls hold soft light all day because of the canyon — the golden-hour shot here is the Sandy River braid, not the waterfall.
Best Light
Overcast. The falls fan across dark basalt and blow out badly in direct sun.
Beat the Crowds
Start early. It also gets you the lower river flow, so the two problems have the same solution.
Classic Shots
- 📍Ramona Falls spread across the columnar basalt wall
- 📍The unbridged Sandy River crossing with Mount Hood behind
- 📍The debris-flow scar along the Sandy River Trail
- 📍Open, treeless trail sections that explain the sun warning
Can't Get a Ramona Falls Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Paradise Park
Similar ExperienceAn alpine meadow with a view of Mount Hood, reached by Paradise Park Trail #778 from Forest Road 2639-021.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
A much bigger climb and no river ford. A Recreation Pass is required at that trailhead too, May 1 to October 31.
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, later to melt out — often through June — and no river to cross.
An autumn visit to the same trail
Same AreaThe Sandy River drops as glacial melt slows, which is the single biggest variable on this hike.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
Shorter days, and the self-issue permit portal comes out on October 15.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Ramona Falls trip
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