Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge deserve National Park status due to their world-class scenic beauty, geological significance, and high visitation rates comparable to major national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite. The current management under the U.S. Forest Service has led to environmental degradation through logging, road construction, and compromises between conservation and exploitation. National Park designation would provide a clear mandate for conservation and restoration under the National Park Service, whose mission is to preserve natural and cultural heritage for future generations.