Recreation area

Bull of the Woods Wilderness

Mt. Hood National Forest · Oregon — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Located 70 miles southeast of Portland and 65 miles east of Salem, the 36,731 acre Bull of the Woods Wilderness is relatively isolated. Steep ridges are deeply cut by a number of streams including the headwaters of the Collawash, Breitenbush, and Little North Santiam Rivers. The slopes of the numerous peaks are steep, with lower inclines ranging from 30 to 60 degrees and upper inclines from 60 to 90 degrees. Vegetation changes from old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock to sparse sub-alpine forests. About a dozen lakes provide opportunities for fishing. The lakes are scattered throughout the Wilderness, accessible by trail but separated by high ridges.  At 5,523 feet, Bull of the Woods Peak marks the hub of a relatively challenging 75-mile trail system, with several longer or shorter loop opportunities. A historic fire lookout at the summit on Bull of the Woods Peak provides a view of the surrounding area on a clear day.  Traveling through this area you may come across relics of past mining activity from as early as the 1880’s.  Elevation Range: 2,400' to 5,700' Key access points: Trail and trailhead access information Link to Trail Description and Map ​​ View larger map

Getting there

Bull of the Woods Wilderness is about 2.5 hours southwest of Portland, OR via OR-224 and Forest Road 46 (Cascades Scenic Byway). Trails that access Bull of the Woods Wilderness:  Bagby Hot Springs #544 Bull of the Woods Trail #550 Dickey Creek Trail #553 Elk Lake Creek Trail #559 Pansy Lake Trail #551 Whetstone Trail #546- Access point to both Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wildernesses. Southern access at Elk Lake:  Elk Lake Campground Other trails within Bull of the Woods Wilderness: Big Slide Lake Trail #553A  Dickey Lake Trail #549 Mother Lode Trail #558 Schreiner Peak Trail #555   Twin Lakes Trail #573   Welcome Lakes Trail #554 West Lake Way #556 Map of 2009 Wilderness Additions Bull of the Woods Wilderness Additions (PDF File) Topo Maps Bagby Hotsprings, Bull of the Woods, Battle Ax, Mother Lode Mountain. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps. Buy maps online Go to the National Forest Store. Wilderness.net Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.

Activities

  • FISHING
  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Explore more Oregon camping

Bull of the Woods Wilderness doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.