Paradise Park, an alpine meadow in the Mount Hood Wilderness, is known for its wildflowers and its views of Mt. Hood, and Paradise Park Loop Trail #757 runs right through it. The trail climbs steadily up a wooded ridge on the Zigzag River’s north side, and paired with the PCT #2000, which doubles as Timberline Trail #600 here, it makes a 4.6-mile loop.
It has no trailhead of its own. From Timberline Lodge, walk the PCT west 3.7 miles to the loop’s southern end, or take Paradise Park Trail #778 from Kiwanis Camp Road off US 26 for 6.6 miles. Though it follows a ridgeline, the route is not an exposed one.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 10-12%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Paradise Park Trail #778, Timberline Trail #600
More about the Mount Hood Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Picnicking
Getting there
- Access via Paradise Park Trail #778 – From Portland, OR go 23.6 miles on US Hwy 26 and turn left (north) on Kiwanis Camp Road (Road 39/Forest Road 2639), 0.7 mile east of milepost 48.
- Follow Kiwanis Camp Road for 1.2 miles then turn left onto Forest Road 2639-021.
- Follow Forest Road 2639-021 for 0.1 mile, crossing a bridge, to reach the trailhead for Paradise Park Trail #778.
- Follow Paradise Park Trail #778 for 6.6 miles to its junction with the Paradise Park Loop #757.
- Access via Timberline Lodge on Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 - hike west from the lodge 3.7 miles to the southern end of the Paradise Park Loop Trail.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply
Passes and permits
State of Oregon Sno-Park permit required November 1 through April 30 at Timberline parking lot.
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31.
No pass or permit is required while parking at Timberline Lodge May 1 - Oct. 31.
Trails nearby
Paradise Park Trail #778
13.8 mi round trip
3,574 ft
Very hard
Timberline Trail #600
39.2 mi loop
11,267 ft
Very hard
Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD)
85.4 mi round trip
16,324 ft
Very hard
Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
24.4 mi round trip
8,421 ft
Very hard
Hidden Lake Trail #779
8.4 mi round trip
2,694 ft
Very hard
Yocum Ridge Trail #771
7.8 mi round trip
2,129 ft
Hard
Timberline to Town Trail #756
9.8 mi round trip
1,851 ft
Hard
Mountaineer Trail #798
2.6 mi loop
1,104 ft
Moderate
Glade Trail #661
5.4 mi round trip
1,920 ft
Alpine Trail
4.2 mi round trip
1,424 ft
Ramona Falls Trail #797
3.4 mi round trip
589 ft
Moderate