Trillium Lake Mt. Hood Oregon

Trillium Lake is a lake situated about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south-southwest of Mount Hood Oregon. It is formed by a dam at the headwaters of Mud Creek, tributary to the Salmon River and was created by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1960.

There are gate closures on December 1 through April 1 annually. Closures may be impacted by weather and close earlier or open later. Please see the Roads Table for current information.

This is a very kid-friendly trail, as it's mostly level for the entire length with only a 10-foot elevation gain. The trail goes around Trillium Lake and through Trillium Lake Campground and near Trillium Lake Day Use Area. There are great views of Mt. Hood along this trail. The trail also crosses wetlands that provide bird watching opportunities. Its distance and easy terrain make it a great family hike, particularly for those with strollers or with limited mobility. However, it is not wheelchair accessible.

During the summer months the 2-mile trail begins and ends on the east side of the dam at Trillium Lake Campground. This trail was built to be barrier free. The trail surface is a combination of wooden boardwalk and very finely compacted rock. There are a few benches along the trail and the trail can get muddy in certain areas due to the alpine wetlands.

Currently a portion of the boardwalk, on the north end of the lake, is closed due to a replacement project. Estimated completion is 2023. Visitors may walk to either end of the closed section but if you decide to walk in the closed area be very careful because it is wetlands and very wet. There are areas here where people have made makeshift walkways out of logs, but these are unstable and plan on getting your feet and ankles wet. I decided to venture in and do the full loop trail.

Like I said it does get very wet in some areas.

I'm a mushroom person and there are a bunch of different types of mushrooms along the trail.

If you have a lot of patience, you can wait until the kayaks and people clear and get a great reflection picture of Mount Hood off the Lake. I do mean a lot of patience because this is a heavily traveled trail.

Oregon Northwest Forest pass is required and if you don't have one you can pay the $5 day use fee. You can also hike this during the winter months, but the trail is different, and you start from the Trillium Access Hill and not the damn parking lot. Trillium Lake Loop Trail is a 3.6-mile loop starting at the Access Hill point. It's a 4.4-mile round trip from Trillium Sno-Park. The trail is popular and is mostly gentle terrain with a picturesque lake, meadow, and a view of Mt. Hood. The access trail is steep, and it's recommended that beginner and intermediate skiers walk down it and not try to ski. I would recommend bringing snowshoes if you plan on walking down this because it will make it a lot easier.

A State of Oregon Sno-Park permit is required November 1 through April 30 at Trillium Lake. There is no formal trail fee, but a $3 donation is recommended. Donations pay for the trail to be groomed for winter recreation use.