- ON THIS PAGE
- Burn Bans • Can I Build a Fire?
- Is Road FS 23 to Randle Open?
- Where Are the Restrooms?
- How Do I Get To...? Maps! Maps! Maps!
- Where Is the Lake? Detailed Directions!
- Can I Go Into That Cave?
- Can I Pick Huckleberries & Mushrooms?
- How Do I Get a Fishing or Hunting License?
- Do I Need a Day Pass or Climbing Permit?
- Do I Need a Sno-Park Permit?
- Do I Need a Firewood or Christmas Tree Permit?
Burn Bans • Can I Build a Fire?
Information for West Klickitat County Zone 3
Burn Ban in Effect June 17, 2024 Until Rescinded *
We are not aware of any restrictions at this time.*
Klickitat County Emergency Management Urges Residents and Visitors to Refrain From Using Fireworks
Information for Gifford Pinchot National Forest
We are not aware of any restrictions at this time.*
Fireworks Are Always Illegal on National Forest Land
Is Road FS 23 to Randle Open?
Open*
Restricted*
Closed*
Check with USFS*
Expect Delays After July 15 for Repairs
ALERT: Forest Road 23 is not maintained in winter. Baby Shoe Pass is not accessible. It re-opens in the snow free months in early Summer through Fall.
Forest Road 23 accesses the east side of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and runs from Trout Lake north to Randle, WA. The road connects the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District and the Mt. Adams Ranger District passing through high Cascades and Wilderness scenery along the way. Driving along Upper Cispus River and the edge of Mt. Adams Wilderness Area, with adjacent roads to High Lakes area access available. It is paved for most of its route, there is a 12-mile gravel stretch over Babyshoe Pass.
Where Are the Restrooms?
There are two public restrooms in Trout Lake – one at Guler Mt. Adams County Park and one at the Mt. Adams Ranger District Headquarters. The next closest is at the boat launch in BZ Corner (11 miles south of Trout Lake). Seasonal availability and hours of operation vary.
Click View Map & Directions (below) to expand a listing. Click the location pin and Get Directions. Directions from your current location to the listing will open in a separate window if your device allows location identification. Click See More Information (below) to expand a listing and learn more.
Guler Mt. Adams County Park
Public Restrooms & Showers • Camping
Mt. Adams Ranger District • Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Public Restrooms • Outdoor Recreation & Tourist InformationHow Do I Get To...
Hiking Trails, Picnic Areas, Campgrounds...?
Where Is the Lake?
Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve
Education & Scientific Study Site
There are no recreational facilities. RV’s and trailers are not recommended. Parking and turn-around is limited. The road is a dead end. Motorized watercraft are prohibited.
A Washington State Discover Pass ↗ (available at Trout Lake Grocery) is required to park at the Interpretive Area. As an alternative, park at the Mt. Adams Ranger District lot and walk approximately one mile to the Interpretive Area (directions below).
Directions to the Natural Area Preserve from the Trout Lake Post Office
- Head northwest on Highway 141 approximately 0.8 mi.
- Park at the Mt. Adams Ranger District; walk across Highway 141; walk down Lake Road to the Interpretive Area; or continue to drive as follows…
- Turn right onto Lake Road.
- Please observe the speed limit to minimize danger and dust in this residential area where children play and people walk with pets.
- In 0.4 mi. the road curves left and heads toward a “Y” in the road at the base of a hill.
- TURN AROUND AND PARK AT THE “Y” AT THE BASE OF THE HILL leaving room for others to turn around and park, too.
- DO NOT DRIVE DOWN EITHER BRANCH OF THE “Y.” One is private property. The other is A NARROW, UNIMPROVED, DEAD END ROAD WITHOUT A TURN AROUND ending at water’s edge.
- The Interpretive Area is a short walk down right of the “Y” in the road.
- Please take your trash with you and leave the area clean and undisturbed for future visitors and wildlife that lives here.
Trout Lake is not much of a lake anymore. Over time it has become a marshland and is part of the Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve ↗ managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources as an educational and scientific study site.
Visit the Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve ↗ website for more information.
A Sign of Reality: Google Maps lists the former lake as “Trout Creek Meadow and Trails.”
Can I Go Into That Cave?
Ice Caves & Natural Bridges
There are only two easily accessible caves in the Trout Lake area. Weather permitting, these areas are open to the public. Follow the links below for accessibility and required permits.
You may have heard about other caves in the Trout Lake area. However, some are located on private property while others are protected for ecological or archeological purposes. And many require advanced skill to navigate. If you are interested in learning more about these caves it is appropriate to seek further information from a guide or group such as the National Speleological Society ↗.
Can I Pick Huckleberries & Mushrooms?
Do I Need a Firewood or Christmas Tree Permit?
Special regulations protect wild huckleberries, mushrooms, fire wood, Christmas trees, and other forest products. In most situations a Free Use or Charge Use (commercial) Permit is required to harvest and remove them.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest issues Free Use Permits in person, except for huckleberry and mushroom permits, which are only available on-line 
.
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The links below provide additional information.
- Huckleberries – personal use with Free Use Permit – one gallon/day, up to three gallons/year*
- Huckleberries – commercial use with Charge Use Permit
- Mushrooms – personal use with Free Use Permit – up to 2 gallons/day and up to 10 days/calendar year, totaling up to 20 gallons/year*
- Mushrooms – commercial use with Charge Use Permit
- All Other Forest Products – fire wood, Christmas trees, grasses, transplants, etc.
* Subject to change. Follow the links for current information.
Mt. Adams Ranger District • Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Public Restrooms • Outdoor Recreation & Tourist InformationHow Do I Get a Fishing or Hunting License?
Fishing and Hunting Licenses are available from the locations listed below. A Discover Pass may be required to park at some locations. See the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website for more information.
website for more information. 
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Trout Lake Grocery
Groceries • Supplies • Huckleberries • Licenses & Passes • PCT Services
Do I Need a Day Pass, Annual Pass or Climbing Permit?
Many sites in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest require a Northwest Forest Pass. Passes are available for a single day or annually. Interagency annual passes are also available offering access to National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Park Service, and other lands.
- Recreational Sites Where Day Use Fees Are Charged – Day or Annual Pass required
- Recreational Passes & Permits Main Page – Descriptions and where to purchase
- How to Decide Which Pass to Purchase
- Mt. Adams Climbing Permits – Required if climbing above 7000 feet
Where to Purchase Passes & Permits
Passes are available from the vendors below or on-line from the US Forest Service .
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Mt. Adams Ranger District • Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Public Restrooms • Outdoor Recreation & Tourist InformationDo I Need a Sno-Park Permit?
Sno-Park Permits are required and valid October 1 through April 30.
There are several types of permits:
- Washington State Parks Sno-Park (non-motorized) Permits – scroll down the page
- Washington State Parks Sno-Park (snowmobile) Permits – scroll down the page
For information about XC Skiing, Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling areas in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, click here . Then, scroll to the bottom of the page and expand the “Winter Sports” tab.
Where to Purchase a Sno-Park Permit
Sno-Park Permits are available from the vendors below or on-line from Washington State Parks .
Trout Lake Grocery
Groceries • Supplies • Huckleberries • Licenses & Passes • PCT Services