The Mount Hood National Forest is the closest national forest to Portland and encompasses the northern end of Oregons Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge. Established in 1908 as the Oregon National Forest and renamed the Mount Hood National Forest in 1924 it now consists of more than a million acres. The forest is home to Oregons tallest mountain as well as eight designated wilderness areas covering more than 300 000 acres. The forest is also the site of the historic Timberline Lodge and old Barlow Road the final leg of the Oregon Trail. Thousands of visitors come to the forest every year for camping hiking mountain climbing fishing skiing mountain biking and other recreational pursuits. The Mount Hood National Forest is the closest national forest to Portland and encompasses the northern end of Oregon s Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge. Established in 1908 as the Oregon National Forest and renamed the Mount Hood National Forest in 1924 it now consists of more than a million acres. The forest is home to Oregon s tallest mountain as well as eight designated wilderness areas covering more than 300 000 acres. The forest is also the site of the historic Timberline Lodge and old Barlow Road the final leg of the Oregon Trail. Thousands of visitors come to the forest every year for camping hiking mountain climbing fishing skiing mountain biking and other recreational pursuits.