Mt. Hood National Forest, Near Rhododendron, Oregon
Bull of the Woods Wilderness does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov. Please take a look at the area details below for more information about visiting this location. Enjoy your visit!
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.