20 Central Oregon Day Hikes
​that don't require a limited entry permit
​INTRO TEXT
1) Coffin Mountain
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Closest town: Sweet Home & Idanha
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This area (the old Cascade Crest) is one of the best places for wildflower viewing in July. Coffin Mountain, Bachelor Mountain and nearby Cone Peak are all known for epic wildflower blooms. Coffin Mountain has a spectacular view of Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters as you make your way up to the fire lookout through massive meadows full of bear grass. From the summit you can also see Detroit Lake to the north and the thousands of acres that were burned in the Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires of 2020.
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This area (the old Cascade Crest) is one of the best places for wildflower viewing in July. Coffin Mountain, Bachelor Mountain and nearby Cone Peak are all known for epic wildflower blooms. Coffin Mountain has a spectacular view of Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters as you make your way up to the fire lookout through massive meadows full of bear grass. From the summit you can also see Detroit Lake to the north and the thousands of acres that were burned in the Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires of 2020.
(Click here for more information and directions)
2) Trappers Butte & Scar Mountain
Closest town: Idanha
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing About the hike: This (Click here for more information and directions) |
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3) Maxwell Butte
Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
4) Crescent Mountain
Closest town: Sweet Home
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, lush old growth forest, mountain views Mileage: 9.3 miles round trip w/ 2,350 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Difficult Trail usage: Low Best time to hike this trail: June and early July for wildflowers. But there are also a lot of mosquitoes during that time. If you want to avoid the bugs and are just going for the views, September is the perfect time. About the hike: This (Click here for more information and directions) |
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5) Square Lake & Booth Lake
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, backcountry camping
Mileage: 4.8 miles round trip w/ 550 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake and back)
9.4 miles round trip w/ 860 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake & Round Lake and back)
8.3 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake & Booth Lake and back)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail usage: Medium on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: June and then again towards the end of September through November when the weather is cooler.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, backcountry camping
Mileage: 4.8 miles round trip w/ 550 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake and back)
9.4 miles round trip w/ 860 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake & Round Lake and back)
8.3 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain (to Square Lake & Booth Lake and back)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail usage: Medium on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: June and then again towards the end of September through November when the weather is cooler.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
6) Patjens Lakes Loop
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, alpine lakes, backcountry camping
Mileage: 6.8 mile loop w/ 845 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing and September, October and early November when the fall colors are beautiful and the mountains have a little bit of snow on them.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, alpine lakes, backcountry camping
Mileage: 6.8 mile loop w/ 845 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing and September, October and early November when the fall colors are beautiful and the mountains have a little bit of snow on them.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
7) Black Butte
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Mountain views, fire lookouts
Mileage: 4 miles round trip w/ 1,600 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on summer weekends, medium on summer weekdays, low during the spring and fall
Best time to hike this trail: June until the snow flies (usually early December)
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Mountain views, fire lookouts
Mileage: 4 miles round trip w/ 1,600 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on summer weekends, medium on summer weekdays, low during the spring and fall
Best time to hike this trail: June until the snow flies (usually early December)
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
8) Whychus Creek Trail
Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
9) Chush Falls
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Mountain views, creekside trail, waterfall
Mileage: 5 miles round trip w/ 660 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium on summer and fall weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: June through early December
About the hike: This
(Click here to read more about this hike and to get directions- this post is for members only, you can purchase the seasonal membership for $9.99)
Hike features: Mountain views, creekside trail, waterfall
Mileage: 5 miles round trip w/ 660 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium on summer and fall weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: June through early December
About the hike: This
(Click here to read more about this hike and to get directions- this post is for members only, you can purchase the seasonal membership for $9.99)
10) Black Crater
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Trail through burn scar, 360 mountain views
Mileage: 7.1 miles round trip w/ 2,325 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium to high on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: July, August and September. The road to the trailhead usually closes in mid-November.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Trail through burn scar, 360 mountain views
Mileage: 7.1 miles round trip w/ 2,325 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium to high on summer weekends, low on weekdays
Best time to hike this trail: July, August and September. The road to the trailhead usually closes in mid-November.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
11) Tumalo Falls to Happy Valley
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Closest town: Bend
Hike features: Creekside trail with multiple waterfalls, mountain views, backcountry camping
Mileage: 4 - 8.2 miles w/ up to 2,635 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail usage: High to very high from mid-May to mid-September, medium foot traffic in the fall
Best time to hike this trail: June, July, August, September
About the hike: Only 30 minutes from Bend, this is one of the most iconic waterfall hikes in all of Central Oregon and for good reason. This hike can be very short (to the viewing platform and back or up to the bridge), or you can make it into an 8 mile loop up to Happy Valley. Even if you're not up for an 8 mile hike, it is worth it to walk up river a bit because 98 foot Tumalo Falls isn't the only waterfall to see here. As you head upstream, there are many no name falls that are just as beautiful as the main attraction. This is a great family friendly hike!
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Creekside trail with multiple waterfalls, mountain views, backcountry camping
Mileage: 4 - 8.2 miles w/ up to 2,635 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail usage: High to very high from mid-May to mid-September, medium foot traffic in the fall
Best time to hike this trail: June, July, August, September
About the hike: Only 30 minutes from Bend, this is one of the most iconic waterfall hikes in all of Central Oregon and for good reason. This hike can be very short (to the viewing platform and back or up to the bridge), or you can make it into an 8 mile loop up to Happy Valley. Even if you're not up for an 8 mile hike, it is worth it to walk up river a bit because 98 foot Tumalo Falls isn't the only waterfall to see here. As you head upstream, there are many no name falls that are just as beautiful as the main attraction. This is a great family friendly hike!
(Click here for more information and directions)
12) Tumalo Mountain
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Closest town: Bend
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views
Mileage: 4 miles round trip w/ 1,380 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends (summer and winter), medium on weekdays in the summer, low on weekdays in the winter
Best time to hike this trail: July - October for hiking, December - mid-April for snowshoeing/cross-country skiing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views
Mileage: 4 miles round trip w/ 1,380 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends (summer and winter), medium on weekdays in the summer, low on weekdays in the winter
Best time to hike this trail: July - October for hiking, December - mid-April for snowshoeing/cross-country skiing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
13) Horse Lake Loop
Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
14) Muskrat Lake
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Closest town: LaPine
Hike features: Trail through a lodgepole pine forest and numerous lakes along the way, backcountry camping
Mileage: 10.2 miles round trip w/ 885 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low
Best time to hike this trail: September, October and early November when the temperatures are a little bit cooler and in October the resort closes so there are no more loud boats on Cultus Lake.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Trail through a lodgepole pine forest and numerous lakes along the way, backcountry camping
Mileage: 10.2 miles round trip w/ 885 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low
Best time to hike this trail: September, October and early November when the temperatures are a little bit cooler and in October the resort closes so there are no more loud boats on Cultus Lake.
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
15) Maiden Peak
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Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Information for this hike can be found in the book 'Oregon's Best Views')
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Information for this hike can be found in the book 'Oregon's Best Views')
16) Rosary Lakes
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Closest town: Oakridge
Hike features: Trail through old growth forest leading up to three alpine lakes with backcountry camping
Mileage: 7 miles round trip w/ 800 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium both in summer and winter
Best time to hike this trail: August through November. Best time to go snowshoeing is mid-December through mid-March
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Trail through old growth forest leading up to three alpine lakes with backcountry camping
Mileage: 7 miles round trip w/ 800 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium both in summer and winter
Best time to hike this trail: August through November. Best time to go snowshoeing is mid-December through mid-March
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
17) Yoran Lake Loop
Closest town: Sisters
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Summer wildflowers, mountain views, fire lookout
Mileage: 2.75 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekends during wildflower blooms, low on weekdays and during the fall
Best time to hike this trail: July for best wildflower viewing
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
18) Divide Lake
Closest town: Oakridge
Hike features: Trail through old growth trees and huckleberry bushes leading to some beautiful lakes with backcountry camping Mileage: 1.8 miles round trip w/ 230 ft. elevation gain (to Notch Lake) OR 8 miles round trip w/ 1,435 ft. elevation gain (to Divide Lake) Difficulty: Easy to moderate Trail usage: Low on weekdays, medium on weekends Best time to hike this trail: August for ripe huckleberries. Mid-September through early October for fall foliage. About the hike: This (Click here for more information and directions) |
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19) Diamond Peak Summit
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Closest town: Oakridge
Hike features: Forested trail leading to rocky climber's trail to the summit of Diamond Peak
Mileage: 11.25 miles out and back w/ 3,190 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Very difficult (some route finding is involved)
Trail usage: Low to medium (depending on if it's PCT thru-hiker season - usually early August)
Best time to hike this trail: August - October
About the hike: Diamond Peak is one of Oregon's most underrated mountains to summit. The majority of the hike is along the Pacific Crest Trail, which is an easy trail leading you through alpine forest and past small lakes. The last 1.5 miles of the hike are pretty grueling and this summit does involve some route finding and making sure you have secure hand and foot holds. This is not a hike for the inexperienced hiker. Once you reach the summit, you can see the very unique wide base of Diamond Peak, and the views span from the Three Sisters down to Mt. Thielsen and all the mountains and lakes in between.
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Forested trail leading to rocky climber's trail to the summit of Diamond Peak
Mileage: 11.25 miles out and back w/ 3,190 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Very difficult (some route finding is involved)
Trail usage: Low to medium (depending on if it's PCT thru-hiker season - usually early August)
Best time to hike this trail: August - October
About the hike: Diamond Peak is one of Oregon's most underrated mountains to summit. The majority of the hike is along the Pacific Crest Trail, which is an easy trail leading you through alpine forest and past small lakes. The last 1.5 miles of the hike are pretty grueling and this summit does involve some route finding and making sure you have secure hand and foot holds. This is not a hike for the inexperienced hiker. Once you reach the summit, you can see the very unique wide base of Diamond Peak, and the views span from the Three Sisters down to Mt. Thielsen and all the mountains and lakes in between.
(Click here for more information and directions)
20) Timpanogas Lake to Cowhorn Mountain
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Closest town: Oakridge
Hike features: Old growth forest trail leading up to the rocky summit of Cowhorn Mountain
Mileage: 11.4 miles round trip w/ 2,390 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Difficult
Trail usage: Low
Best time to hike this trail: August - November
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
Hike features: Old growth forest trail leading up to the rocky summit of Cowhorn Mountain
Mileage: 11.4 miles round trip w/ 2,390 ft. elevation gain
Difficulty: Difficult
Trail usage: Low
Best time to hike this trail: August - November
About the hike: This
(Click here for more information and directions)
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.