Woman hiking in Hart Mountain by Michael Sawiel
Michael Sawiel

Suggested Hikes

Explore Oregon’s Wilderness

Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful and inspiring landscapes in the nation.

At Oregon Wild, we don’t just work to protect our state’s wildlands, we also help connect Oregonians with these places so that they feel inspired to help!
Close up of a mushroom in Oregon by Matt Oliphant
Matt Oliphant
Tamanawas Falls by Jeff Risher
Jeff Risher

Oregon hiking guidebooks, websites, and lists aren’t hard to come by, but Oregon Wild’s suggested hikes come with a unique twist: every one is connected to our campaigns to protect ancient forests, wild lands, Wild & Scenic Rivers, and wildlife habitats so that you can not only get out to enjoy these places, you can take the next step and advocate for the places you love.

Our list of suggested trails includes hikes of a variety of difficulties, locations, attractions. Keep in mind that trail conditions are constantly changing, and are not necessarily kept up to date here.

Close up of a mushroom in Oregon by Matt Oliphant
Matt Oliphant

Public Lands for All

Being Welcoming and Inclusive

At Oregon Wild, we believe everyone should feel safe and included in outdoor spaces. We encourage everyone who is out enjoying the outdoors to speak and act in ways that respect and empower others who are doing the same.

Accessibility

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has wheelchair accessible destinations in Oregon with resources for Portland area accessible trails, and Disabled Hikers. US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management also make note of accessible trails on their recreation websites.

Indigenous Lands

Oregon has been home to Indigenous people for time immemorial and is currently home to nine federally recognized tribes. We encourage those seeking to recreate and explore Oregon to learn more about Indigenous peoples and their relationship with the land, their history, and their current efforts.

Regions

  • Northwestern Oregon
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Boulder Lake*
    Easy
    Early summer–fall
    Ancient forests and a beautiful mountain lake
    Unprotected wild area we’re still working to protect, Boulder Creek proposed Wild & Scenic River, important climate forests
    Crabtree Valley*
    Moderate
    Late spring through fall
    Some of the largest trees in Oregon
    Headwaters of proposed Crabtree Creek Wild & Scenic River, old-growth forest we have worked to protect
    Larch Mountain
    Strenuous
    Late spring, summer, fall
    Old-growth, close to Portland
    Partially protected as Wilderness, in an area we have been working to protect for decades
    Lost Lake*
    Easy
    Spring, summer, fall
    Family friendly, great view of Mount Hood
    Headwaters of proposed Lake Branch Fork of Hood River Wild & Scenic River
    Salmon River*
    Easy
    All year
    Ancient forest along beautiful river
    Along Wild & Scenic Salmon River, important climate forests
    Tamanawas Falls
    Easy
    Spring, summer, fall
    Beautiful falls on the east side of Mount Hood
    Part of the proposed Mt. Hood Wilderness expansions we have been working to protect for decades
    Vista Ridge
    Strenuous
    July and August
    Scenic views of Mount Hood, amazing wildflowers in August
    Borders Mt. Hood Wilderness and unprotected but proposed wilderness area we have worked to defend
  • Coast/Coast Range
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Alsea Falls
    Easy
    All year
    A scenic drive and easy walk to a waterfall, with options for nearby adventures
    South Fork Alsea River proposed Wild & Scenic River
    Gwynn Creek Loop*
    Moderate
    All year
    Old-growth forest, ocean views, and a pleasant creek
    Stream proposed as Wild & Scenic River, important climate forests and endangered species habitat
    John Dellenback Dunes Trail
    Easy – Moderate
    All year
    Hike over shifting coastal sand dunes
    Nearby stream proposed for Wild & Scenic River protection, unique ecosystem we advocate to protect and restore
    Kentucky Falls Trail*
    Moderate
    Most of year, access depends on snow
    Old growth hike to three large waterfalls
    Proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers, important climate forests
    Mary’s Peak*
    Moderate-Strenuous
    May–Fall
    Wildflowers and potential views of both the Pacific Ocean and Cascade peaks
    Important climate forests
  • Central Cascades
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Brice Creek/Trestle Creek Falls*
    Easy – Moderate
    All year
    Towering trees, swimming holes, and a walk-behind waterfall
    Brice Creek proposed Wild & Scenic River, important climate forests
    Clear Lake*
    Easy – Moderate
    May–October
    Huge springs, lava crossings, and a beautiful old-growth forest of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock
    Headwaters of Wild & Scenic McKenzie River, important climate forests
    Crabtree Valley*
    Moderate
    Late spring through fall
    Some of the oldest trees in Oregon
    Headwaters of proposed Crabtree Creek Wild & Scenic River, old-growth forest we have worked to protect
    Lookout Creek*
    Strenuous
    June–August
    Wander up and down through towering forests and into cool, mossy groves
    Important climate forests
    Middle Fork Willamette Trail*
    Moderate
    Spring to late fall
    Wind through an old-growth forest, some recovering from fire, past multiple gushing springs
    Proposed Upper Middle Fork WIllamette Wild & Scenic River, important climate forests
    Mount June and Sawtooth Ridge
    Moderate
    June–July
    Magnificent old-growth forest, grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers and impressive rock bluffs
    Important climate forests
    Three Pyramids*
    Moderate–Strenuous
    June–August
    Take in a spectacular old-growth forest, trailside and cliff-top wildflowers, alpine meadows, and stunning a mountaintop view
    Pyramid and South Pyramid Creeks proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers, unprotected roadless area, and important climate forests
  • Northeast Oregon
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Black Lake
    Easy
    July to October
    Short hike with great views of Van Patten Peak near Anthony Lakes ski area
    Sandwiched between the headwaters of 3 proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers, in large Twin Mountain roadless area
    Blue Mountain TrailBrice Creek/Trestle Creek Falls*
    Moderate – Strenuous
    Late spring—fall, depending on section
    Oreogn’s newest long-distance trail linking diverse ecosystems and landscapes
    Numerous proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers, unprotected wild lands, and climate forests at risk
    Imnaha River-Blue Hole*
    Moderate
    Summer and fall
    Forest recovering from fire, rocky cliffs, and a view into the stunning blue river
    Along the Wild & Scenic Imnaha River, accessed via forested corridor we have worked to defend from logging
    Maxwell Lake
    Strenuous
    Late July–October
    Rock meadows and open slopes to one of the few alpine lakes in the Wallowas that doesn’t require an overnight trip
    Accessed via the Lostine Wild & Scenic River corridor that we worked to establish and now work to defend from logging
    North Fork Umatilla*
    Moderate
    Spring–fall
    A lush riverside hike in the Blue Mountains
    Within North Fork Umatilla Wilderness area, adjacent to proposed South Fork Umatilla Wild & Scenic River
  • Southwest Oregon
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Collings Mountain Trail (Bigfoot Trap)*
    Moderate
    All year
    Views of the Siskiyou Crest and Applegate Lake, passing inactive Big Foot Trap as well as a number of mine adits
    Surrounded by proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers and unprotected roadless areas in need of protection
    Grizzly Peak*
    Moderate
    Late spring through fall
    Outstanding views of the Rogue Valley, the Cascades, and summertime wildflowers along the trail
    Part of the expanded Cascade Siskiyou National Monument we’re defending in court
    Soda Mountain
    Strenuous
    Spring through fall
    A biological jewel—diverse topography and plant life
    Part of Wilderness area and Cascade Siskiyou National Monument we worked to support and protect
    Oregon Redwoods Trail*
    Easy
    All year
    Some of the last remaining Coast Redwood trees in Oregon, accessible to the coast
    Headwaters of the proposed Moser Creek Wild & Scenic River, forest we worked to protect in our early days
  • Southern Cascades
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Brown Mountain*
    Strenuous
    Late spring–fall
    Beautiful wildflowers, Lake of the Woods, Fish Lake, and impressive lava flows
    South Fork Little Butte Creek proposed Wild & Scenic River, unprotected roadless area
    Indigo Lake
    Easy
    Mid summer–fall (depending on snow)
    Old growth trees, high mountain meadows and beautiful views of intense blue waters
    Within large unprotected roadless area along the headwater divide between the Middle Fork Willamette and North Umpqua Rivers (both proposed as Wild & Scenic Rivers)
    Natural Bridge and Rogue Gorge*
    Easy–Moderate
    Spring–fall
    The trail gently rolls along the wild and scenic Rogue River through lava basalt featuring scenic river and waterfall views
    Along the designated Wild & Scenic Rogue River, near proposed Union Creek Wild & Scenic River, and in an area we work to defend from logging
    Twin Lakes
    Moderate
    Late June–October
    Old-growth forest, wildflower meadows, mountain views, and serene lakes all in one hike!
    Headwaters of proposed Twin Lakes Creek Wild & Scenic River, heart of large unprotected roadless area we work to defend from logging
  • Central Oregon
    Name
    Difficulty
    Season
    Attractions
    Campaign Tie-in
    Lookout Mountain*
    Strenuous
    Summer and fall
    Ancient forests, wildflowers, and a plateau with stunning views in the heart of the Ochoco Mountains
    Headwaters of proposed Brush and Canyon Creek Wild & Scenic Rivers, unprotected wild area we have been working to protect, important climate forests
    Malheur River Trail*
    Moderate
    May to December
    Traverse steep canyon walls before dropping to scenic river banks of the Malheur Wild and Scenic River, lined with old growth pine, larch, and fir trees
    Malheur Wild & Scenic River
    Mill Creek and Twin Pillars*
    Strenuous
    May–November
    Travel along (and occasionally ford) Mill Creek, passing douglas fir, ponderosa pines, snowberry, and bunchgrass along the way
    Protected Wilderness
    Snowshoeing near Bend and central Oregon
    Varies
    December–April
    There are several options for exploring winter trails near Bend on snowshoes
    Strawberry Lakes*
    Moderate
    Late spring–early fall
    Beautiful lake, trout fishing, waterfalls, and rugged cliffs in the Strawberry Mountains Wilderness
    Protected Wilderness
    Walton Lake Loop
    Easy
    May–October
    Walk around Walton Lake, enjoying old growth ponderosa pine and mountain meadows
    Ochoco Creek proposed Wild & Scenic River, working to protect forest from aggressive logging and reduced protections for large trees
    Yamsay Mountain
    Strenuous
    July–November
    Pass through coniferous forest on the way to a summit that offers views from the Three Sisters to Mount Shasta
    Headwaters of proposed Buck Creek Wild & Scenic River, large roadless area we’ve been working to protect for decades
Hiker on the Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon by Kara Stonecypher
Kara Stonecypher

Know Before You Go

Whether you’re new to getting outdoors or an old pro, interested in a short stroll or an epic adventure, it’s important to know how to get up-to-date information, be responsible, safe, and comfortable, and where to learn more about the natural world.

Join Our Next Guided Hike

Join Oregon Wild staff for guided hikes to some of our favorite places! Each year we lead hikes and snowshoe trips to places we are working to protect. Sign up for an upcoming hike, put on your boots, and take the next step to protect our wildlands, wildlife, and waters!

VolunteerHike2023

Oregon’s Ancient Forests:
A Hiking Guide

If you’re specifically interested in hiking in Oregon’s ancient and old-growth forests, be sure to check out Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A hiking guide by Senior Conservation Advocate Chandra LeGue.

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