Hiking

The spectacular Union Peak trail in Crater Lake National Park

©Janet Tarjan Erl

The 30-Mile area offers a variety of walking opportunities to exercise the legs and lungs.

Take a leisurely hour-long walk, hike for a day, or explore a designated wilderness for a week. All the choices provide beautiful scenery, abundant birds and wildlife, and an opportunity for some solitude.

Most trails are MULTI USE, with hikers, horses, dogs, and bicycles welcome. Motorized use is not permitted on any summer hiking trails, even when labeled “multi use.” Wilderness trails are RESTRICTED USE with bicycles and mechanized equipment prohibited.

Summer trail ride with friends near Crater Lake

©Connie Baker

The Northwest Forest Pass, required to park within 1/4 m of many trailheads in National Forests, is $5/day & $30/year. It is available at Lake of the Woods Resort, USFS offices, and often at trailheads. Consult the Fremont-Winema National Forest website for more information on trails, winter snowmobile trails, passes, and permits.

Local businesses can provide for all the hiker’s needs. From the south, the Solar Cafe, Odessa Market, Rocky Point Resort, Fish Lake Resort, and Lake of the Woods offer supplies and/or dining. North and east end hikers will find grocery stores and restaurants in Chiloquin, while the Fort Klamath Store, Jo’s Motel, and Crater Lake Resort have supplies and snacks. The Fort Klamath Store and Williamson River Resort arrange shuttle service for those hiking or cycling one way and wanting pick-up and/or drop-off service. To experience the trails from the back of a horse, arrange for a trail ride with Happy Trails Cowboy Campground. If traveling with your own horse, Sun Pass Ranch boards horses, while Happy Trails Cowboy Campground and Collier Memorial State Park have horse camping.

If you’re a serious runner, try the Crater Lake Rim Runs in August.

West Side of the Lake

Hiking in the Sky Lakes Wilderness

©Ali & Jim Litts

Sky Lakes Wilderness

(Restricted use) The Cold Springs/Heavenly Twin Lakes Trail at MP 41 on Hwy 140 is about 3 mostly-flat miles to the Sky Lakes Basin. Twin Ponds Trail, an easy and popular 10 mile roundtrip, starts at Fourmile Lake Campground and follows the old Rancheria Trail, a Native American trade route.

Mountain Lakes Wilderness

(Restricted Use) From the north off Hwy 140, MP 48, the first 2 miles of the Varney Creek Trail are gentle, with 3 more steep miles to the first lake in the designated Wilderness. From the west, the Mt. Lakes Trail enters near Lake of the Woods and reaches 2 small shallow lakes after about 3 miles. It’s another 2 miles to the junction with a loop trail for a longer journey through the Wilderness.

Hazy autumn view of Rocky Point meadows from Tomahawk Trail

©Janet Tarjan Erl

Tomahawk Trail

(Multi use). This easy 2.8 mile walk with gentle elevation gain and postcard views of Mt. McLoughlin is a good choice for a family hike. Take forest road

3600/190 off of Hwy 140 just W of Rocky Point Road intersection. Park anywhere at the base of the hill and take the old dirt road/trail up Tomahawk.

Eagle Ridge

(Multi use with motorized use welcome on the road.) From the county park, the rough but nearly level narrow gravel road provides a gentle hike, as it continues about 2 miles to the end of the ridge. Enjoy panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Much of the road is at the water’s edge, so it’s most suitable for adults and older children.

High Lakes Trail

(Restricted Use, with mountain bikers welcome.) This area is popular with hikers, mountain bike riders, and winter enthusiasts. SHORTEST: For a family hike with the kids (1.5 m), start at Great Meadow and walk along the southern edge of the meadow to Aspen Point Campground. This portion of the trail is level and wheelchair accessible. Wildflowers draw oohs and ahs in the late spring and early summer. MEDIUM: The 7.5 mile Fish Lake to Lake of the Woods section passes through the impressive lava flows of Brown Mt. and offers views of Mt. McLoughlin. It’s easier to start at Great Meadow or Lake of the Woods than Fish Lake, since the trail drops 300 feet heading west. LONGEST: The total 9.3 mile trail meanders from the Great Meadow/ Brown Mt. Trailhead, around the north side of Lake of the Woods, and on to Fish Lake.

Large firs line the Brown Mountain Trail

Billie Creek Trail

(Multi use) This 0.9 mile loop trail could be the best cooling off leg stretcher around. Just past the Lake of the Woods turnoff and MP 36 on Hwy 140, pull off to the right and park at the Rye Spur trailhead. The 5,000 ft. elevation trail loops through heavy timber and crosses Billie Creek twice. This flat, easy hike invites the weary to soak their feet in cool waters.

Pacific Crest Trail

(Restricted Use.) To brag that you’ve hiked on the PCT, start at the Summit Trail Head about 1.5 miles east of Fish Lake on Hwy 140 and hike a while north or south. North leads toward Fourmile Lake. South from the parking lot, the trail skirts the base of Brown Mt. and jagged lava flows.

North and East Sides of the Lake

Crater Lake National Park
has more than 90 miles of one-way and loop trails, including 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Sun Notch Viewpoint, Castle Crest Wildflower Garden, and Godfrey Glen hikes are 0.5-1.0 mile gentle strolls. Moderate climbs of 1.5-2 miles include Annie Creek Canyon and Watchman Peak. Hikes up Garfield and Union Peaks and Mt. Scott are strenuous with 1,000-1,600 ft elevation grains. The strenuous Cleetwood Cove Trails ends at the lake’s edge. Most park trails are open mid-July to early Oct. Be aware of trail regulations within the park. For esample, pets are not allowed on the park’s section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Collier Memorial State Park Interpretive Forest Trail

It’s an easy and very popular 1.5 miles out and back.

Expansive views of the Williamson River valley from the back of a horse

©Lonesome Duck

Pinnacles Trail

(Restricted use, and no dogs.) This easy mile with a slight incline follows a canyon rim to Pinnacle Valley with views of Pinnacles, then enters Crater Lake National Park. Most of the trail is gravel, with some dust, no water, and no bathrooms. Directions: Go 2 miles east of Fort Klamath on Hwy 62 and then take Sun Mountain Road north approx. 3 miles. Go PAST the Kimball State Park signs, off paved road onto gravel road and head uphill. At 0.4 mile past pavement, bear left at the fork. Continue up the non-maintained Sun Pass Mountain Rd. to just past MP 16. Take dirt road #2304 to the left at “Pinnacle Trailhead 4 M” sign and proceed on to the trailhead. NOTE: The other end of this trail is accessible in late summer from inside the National Park, off of Rim Drive. Check with Park staff for the trail’s status.

Wood River Wetlands

(Multi use) Choose a ½ mile paved trail or 10 miles of unpaved trails, all level walks from the Wetlands parking area. There are rich birding opportunities during any season.