Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Washington State Park

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Gifford Pinchot National Forest

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National Park Contact Information
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
10600 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, 98682

National Park Overview
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the oldest National Forests in the United States. Included as part of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve in 1897, this area was set aside as the Columbia National Forest in 1908. It was renamed the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1949.

Whether you seek solitude, social activity, creative inspiration, wildlife, forest products or scenic beauty, you can find it in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. We invite you to enjoy the many different aspects of your National Forest.

Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now encompasses 1,312,000 acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.

Camping
December 19 , 2005Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano.

The Monument Manager has closed Mount St. Helens to climbing. The crater rim and flanks of the volcano above the 4800-foot level have been closed due to an increased potential for steam explosions from the lava dome that could propel rocks and/or ash clouds above the crater rim. Existing climbing permits have been cancelled and Jacks Restaurant and Store has stopped issuing new permits.

Forest visitors - the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall.

A number of trails in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument have also been closed, please check the Special Conditions Report for trail closure information.

Forest officials are in close contact with USGS and the University of Washington and will post updates as needed.

For the latest information, check our Special Conditions Report for updates.

Trails

Fishing and Hunting
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has more than 20 species of fish in 1,360 miles of streams and over 100 lakes. Three species of anadromous fish (chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout) and several species of resident salmonids (rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout and cutthroat trout), including two species of char (bull trout and eastern brook trout), can be found within Forest waters.

More than 90 percent of the streams on the Forest have a self-sustaining resident fishery. Fish populations are supplemented with hatchery fish in some forest lakes and streams. High mountain lakes may not be accessible until the late-spring snow melts. Our forest waters provide a diverse recreational fisheries.

Excellent opportunities for both bait and fly fishing abound. As you use our site, we hope you find much useful information to guide you in your fishing adventures. Good Luck!

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license!

Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Call the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules.

More Info

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Press Release23 October 2003 Roads Analysis for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest The public is invited to help the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
...hington Public Lands Gifford Pinchot National Forest
5000 Email r6_gp_forest@fs.fed.us INFORMATIONAL LINKS Gifford Pinchot National Forest Gifford Pinchot National Forest On-line
...cades Volcano Observatorys Mount St. Helens webpage, which covers all aspects of the volcano.
courtesy U. S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic

view from JRO, updated every 10 minutes -- Link courtesy U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Gifford Pinchot National Forest -- Link courtesy U.S. Forest Service Gifford Pinchot
...ollection of pictures and information from Gifford Pinchot National Forest, located in SW Washington. Numerous mountains
Gifford Pinchot National Forest Welcome to the Gifford Pinchot

AmeriCorps Property Rentals/Leases Salmon Team Home Parks & Trails Battle Ground Gifford Pinchot National Forest Gifford Pinchot National Forest Gifford Pinchot National Forest covers 1,366

Wild Washington Campaign is an alliance of dozens of conservation, recreation and citizen
enter your email address Gifford Pinchot National Forest Local residents of southwestern Washington
...p outside and explore the countrys National Parks, State Parks and National Forests. Explore the majesty of
State Parks > Washington > Gifford Pinchot National Forest > Hiking & Walking > Dog

Nature Programs
Heritage Program

The purpose of the Heritage Program is to protect significant heritage resources, to share the values of these resources with the American people and to contribute relevant information and perspectives to forest management.

Heritage resources are locations of past human activity, occupation or use identifiable through field survey, historical documentation, or oral tradition.

To date, 1,596 heritage resource sites have been documented on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Examples include prehistoric archaeological sites such as Layser Cave on the Cowlitz Valley District, historic Native American sites such as the Big Tire Peeled Cedars, Mt. Adams District and historic structures such as House Rock Shelter - emergency fire lookout, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Heritage resource surveys for projects such as timber sales, stream bank stabilization, or roadside viewpoint construction are a routine part of program activities. Surveys are oriented toward the discovery and documentation of significant heritage resources. Other aspects of the program include historical research, collections curation, interpretation, public involvement and coordination with tribal groups with traditional ties to the land.