Mount Hood National Forest closes all trails, day-use areas

The Mount Hood National Forest has joined other agencies by closing all recreation areas to the public amid the coronavirus outbreak in the Pacific Northwest.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Thursday that all developed recreation sites on and around Mount Hood are now temporarily closed, abiding by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s order banning all nonessential travel.

Closures will affect all trailheads, sno-parks, day-use areas, campgrounds, fire lookouts and cabins within the national forest. The forest service will issue refunds to anyone who previously held reservations.

The Mount Hood National Forest released the news simultaneously with an announcement by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest in Washington, both of which also issued wide-ranging closures of recreation areas in response to the spreading coronavirus.

“As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number one priority,” forest officials said in a news release. “The Mt. Hood National Forest continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and evaluate potential impacts to the forest.”

The closures will last at least through May 8, officials said, and will be re-evaluated as that date approaches.

Thursday’s closures are the latest in public agencies’ efforts to limit access to Oregon’s parks, trails and recreational areas as crowds flocked to natural spaces despite warnings from officials. Last weekend, coastal residents were outraged by spring break travelers’ crowding state parks and beaches. On Monday, Gov. Brown issued orders to close all campgrounds and playgrounds.