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  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
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  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
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    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
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    • Jefferson Wilderness
  • Home
  • *Store*
  • About the author
  • How to use this site
  • Resources
    • Wildflowers
    • Videos
  • Best Oregon Hikes
    • 20 Epic Oregon Wildflower Hikes
    • Top 10 Oregon Spring Hikes
    • 20 Best Oregon Waterfall Hikes
    • Top 10 Oregon Hikes for Kids
    • 5 Weekend Backpacking Trips in Oregon
    • Top One Night Backpacking Trips in Oregon
    • Top Fall Foliage Hikes In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Summer Hikes
    • Top 10 Swimming Spots In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Fall Hikes
    • Sno-Parks In Central Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Winter Hikes
    • Top Low Elevation Winter Hikes
  • Oregon Sno-Parks
    • Maxwell Sno-Park
    • Potato Hill Sno-Park
    • Ray Benson Sno-Park
      • Brandenburg Shelter
    • Santiam Sno-Park
    • Three Creek Sno-Park
    • Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
      • Meissner Shelter Loop
      • Nordeen Shelter
    • Gold Lake Sno-Park
      • Westview Shelter to Eagle Rock Overlook
      • Marilyn Lakes Loop
  • Portland
    • Powell Butte
    • Forest Park
    • Hamilton Mountain
    • Latourell Falls
    • Multnomah/Wahkeena Falls
    • Dog Mountain
    • Coyote Wall
    • Mitchell Point
    • Table Rock
    • Tamanawas Falls
    • Trillium Lake
    • East Zigzag Mountain (members only)
  • Salem
    • Abiqua Falls
    • Silver Falls State Park
    • Marion Lake to Marion Mountain
    • Jefferson Park
  • Sweet Home
    • Crescent Mountain
    • Iron Mountain
    • McDowell Creek Falls
    • Middle Santiam River (members only)
    • Lower Soda Creek Falls (members only)
    • Rooster Rock (members only)
  • McKenzie Bridge/Blue River
    • Macduff Mountain
    • Proxy Falls
    • Clear Lake
    • Sahalie/Koosah Falls
    • Blue Pool
    • Erma Bell Lakes
    • Olallie Mountain
    • Horsepasture Mountain
    • Tidbits Mountain
    • Castle Rock
    • East Fork Trail (members only)
    • Rainbow Falls Overlook (members only)
    • Frissell Point (members only)
    • Chucksney Mountain (members only)
    • Substitute Point (members only)
  • Sisters/Santiam Pass
    • Coffin Mountain
    • Trappers Butte and Scar Mountain
    • Black Butte
    • Tam McArthur Rim
    • Black Crater
    • Scott Mountain
    • Obsidian Trail
    • Three Fingered Jack Loop
    • Square Lake
    • Canyon Creek Meadows
    • Patjens Lakes
    • Craig Lake (members only)
    • Chush Falls (members only)
    • Rockpile Lake (members only)
    • Santiam Lake (members only)
    • Camp Lake (members only)
    • Park Meadow to Golden Lake (members only)
  • Bend/Redmond/LaPine
    • Steins Pillar
    • Chimney Rock
    • Steelhead Falls
    • Tumalo State Park
    • Tumalo Falls
    • Tumalo Mountain
    • No Name Lake
    • Green Lakes
    • Moraine Lake
    • South Sister Summit
    • Muskrat Lake
    • Paulina Peak
    • Peter Skene Ogden Trail (members only)
  • Eugene
    • Ridgeline Trail
    • Mount Pisgah Summit
    • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
    • Shotgun Creek
    • Mount June
    • Lawler
    • Tire Mountain
    • Goodman Creek
    • Brice Creek
    • Trestle Creek Falls
    • Moon Falls
    • Elijah Bristow State Park
    • South Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Eula Ridge (members only)
    • Eagle's Rest (members only)
  • Oakridge
    • Deception Creek
    • North Salmon Creek
    • Grasshopper Ridge
    • Larison Creek
    • Bunchgrass Ridge
    • Salt Creek Falls
    • Waldo Lake Loop
    • South Waldo Loop
    • The Twins
    • Rosary Lakes
    • Fawn Lake
    • Windy Lakes
    • Divide Lake
    • Diamond Peak Summit
    • Cowhorn Mountain
    • Wall Creek Warm Springs (members only)
    • Moon Point (members only)
    • Bobby Lake (members only)
    • Lillian Falls (members only)
    • Middle Fork Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Pool Creek Falls (members only)
    • Dead Mountain (members only)
    • Larison Rock (members only)
    • Eddeeleo Lakes (members only)
    • Waldo Mountain Lookout (members only)
    • Blair Lake to Mule Mountain (members only)
    • Rigdon Lakes loop (members only)
  • Oregon Coast
    • Cascade Head
    • Drift Creek Falls
    • Sweet Creek Falls
    • Alsea Falls
    • Kentucky Falls
    • Marys Peak North Ridge
    • Marys Peak East Ridge
    • Cape Perpetua Loops
    • Hobbit Trail to Heceta Head
    • North Fork Smith River (members only)
    • Cummins Ridge (member's only)
    • Horse Creek (members only)
    • Siltcoos Lake (members only)
    • William Finley Wildlife Refuge (members only)
  • Southern Oregon
    • Fall Creek Falls
    • Watson Falls
    • Wild Rogue Loop
    • Mt. Thielsen
    • The Watchman
    • Mount Scott
    • The Pinnacles
    • Lower Table Rock
    • Pilot Rock
    • Wagner Butte
    • Mt. McLoughlin
    • Lemolo Falls (members only)
    • Fern Falls (members only)
  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
    • Mount Howard
    • Anthony Lake Loop
    • Schneider Cabin (members only)
    • Strawberry Lake & Falls (members only)
  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
    • PCT: Santiam Pass to Rockpile Lake
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Leave No Trace
    • Top Tips For Hiking With Infants And Toddlers
    • Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac
    • How to dress for cold weather hikes
    • Hiker Holiday Gift Guide 2019
    • Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide 2018
    • Hiking Holiday Gift Guide 2017
  • Reviews
    • Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review
    • Osprey Aura AG 65 Backpack review
    • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 review
    • REI Quarter Dome 1 review
  • Adventure Stories
    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
    • The Loop Around Three Fingered Jack
    • Jefferson Wilderness

Steins Pillar

​
Get the printable version of this hike

Hike details:

​Mileage: 4 miles round trip w/ 660 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 44 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium on late spring and early summer weekends, low during any other time
Highest elevation: 4,547 ft. Lowest elevation: 4,082 ft.
General location: 17.6 miles northeast of Prineville - Ochoco National Forest
Accessible: April through November
(Best time to go is mid-May for prime wildflower bloom. Fall is great as well because the temperatures are cooler and there are less people on the trail).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs, rock climbing
Possible dangers: ​N/A
Steins Pillar trailhead
(Steins Pillar trailhead among Ponderosa pines)
Steins Pillar trailhead parking
(trailhead parking)

Description:

Steins Pillar is a wonderful family friendly hike that is perfect for a day trip in the spring. Among stately Ponderosa pine trees you will see the spacious trailhead parking. The trail begins by trending uphill via 4 short switchbacks through the forest, then continuing along a sidehill before opening up at a ridge. 
Steins Pillar Trail
wildflowers Steins Pillar Trail
(paintbrush and balsamroot flowers blooming in May)
During the month of May you will see beautiful paintbrush, lupine and balsamroot flowers lining the trail, as well as some wild strawberries. As the trail levels off a bit you will see some views across the Mill Creek Valley, before heading into the woods again. The ponderosa pines along this trail are absolutely stunning and very tall, and you will also see some ancient juniper trees, hemlock and lodgepole pine.  
Juniper trees along the Steins Pillar trail
(juniper trees along the Steins Pillar Trail)
Steins Pillar viewpoint sign
After 1.3 miles you will see a sign for a viewpoint to the left. From here you will get a better view of the Mill Creek Valley and you can see the top of Steins Pillar. Steins Pillar was named after Major Enoch Steen, who was an explorer of this area in the 1860's. Apparently his name was often misspelled and it ended up staying 'Stein' on maps and documents and was never changed. 
Steins Pillar from viewpoint
(Steins Pillar and the Mill Creek Valley from viewpoint)
stairs on the Steins Pillar Trail
end of trail sign Steins Pillar
bottom of Steins Pillar
(Steins Pillar from the bottom)
climbing to Steins Pillar viewpoint
After checking out the viewpoint, the trail meanders downhill a bit via some beautifully built wooden stairs. You will see a sign marking the end of the trail and here you can see 350 foot tall Steins Pillar from the bottom. If you are not hiking with small children, there is a neat viewpoint to the right of Steins Pillar that you can check out, but it does involve some rock scrambling to get to. The viewpoint also has a very steep drop off, but it gives you a face to face view at Steins Pillar. If there are people rock climbing you will be able to watch them and cheer them on as you enjoy a lunch/snack break. If you have been to Smith Rock State Park, Steins Pillar might remind you a little bit of Monkey Face, which is also extremely popular with rock climbers. 
Steins Pillar
rock climbers on Steins Pillar
(rock climbers on Steins Pillar)
Steins Pillar is a sweet and easy trail perfect for a spring time family excursion. It is just over an hour drive from Bend and a great way to get introduced to the Ochoco National Forest. There are many other trails nearby as well as campgrounds, so you can easily stay for the weekend.

Directions:

From Prineville
  • Drive US-26 E for 8.7 miles, then at a fork turn left onto Mill Creek Road for 6.7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 3300-500 for 2 winding miles and find the trailhead on your left. (Total of 17.6 miles)
From Bend
  • Total of 51 miles via Prineville.
From Eugene
  • Total of 160 miles via Prineville.
From Salem
  • Total of 163 miles via Prineville.
From Portland
  • Total of 164 miles via Prineville.
From Medford
  • Total of 223 miles via Prineville.
​*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.

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© Hike Oregon 2022
P.O. Box 41911
​Eugene, OR 97404
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  • Home
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    • Top Low Elevation Winter Hikes
  • Oregon Sno-Parks
    • Maxwell Sno-Park
    • Potato Hill Sno-Park
    • Ray Benson Sno-Park
      • Brandenburg Shelter
    • Santiam Sno-Park
    • Three Creek Sno-Park
    • Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
      • Meissner Shelter Loop
      • Nordeen Shelter
    • Gold Lake Sno-Park
      • Westview Shelter to Eagle Rock Overlook
      • Marilyn Lakes Loop
  • Portland
    • Powell Butte
    • Forest Park
    • Hamilton Mountain
    • Latourell Falls
    • Multnomah/Wahkeena Falls
    • Dog Mountain
    • Coyote Wall
    • Mitchell Point
    • Table Rock
    • Tamanawas Falls
    • Trillium Lake
    • East Zigzag Mountain (members only)
  • Salem
    • Abiqua Falls
    • Silver Falls State Park
    • Marion Lake to Marion Mountain
    • Jefferson Park
  • Sweet Home
    • Crescent Mountain
    • Iron Mountain
    • McDowell Creek Falls
    • Middle Santiam River (members only)
    • Lower Soda Creek Falls (members only)
    • Rooster Rock (members only)
  • McKenzie Bridge/Blue River
    • Macduff Mountain
    • Proxy Falls
    • Clear Lake
    • Sahalie/Koosah Falls
    • Blue Pool
    • Erma Bell Lakes
    • Olallie Mountain
    • Horsepasture Mountain
    • Tidbits Mountain
    • Castle Rock
    • East Fork Trail (members only)
    • Rainbow Falls Overlook (members only)
    • Frissell Point (members only)
    • Chucksney Mountain (members only)
    • Substitute Point (members only)
  • Sisters/Santiam Pass
    • Coffin Mountain
    • Trappers Butte and Scar Mountain
    • Black Butte
    • Tam McArthur Rim
    • Black Crater
    • Scott Mountain
    • Obsidian Trail
    • Three Fingered Jack Loop
    • Square Lake
    • Canyon Creek Meadows
    • Patjens Lakes
    • Craig Lake (members only)
    • Chush Falls (members only)
    • Rockpile Lake (members only)
    • Santiam Lake (members only)
    • Camp Lake (members only)
    • Park Meadow to Golden Lake (members only)
  • Bend/Redmond/LaPine
    • Steins Pillar
    • Chimney Rock
    • Steelhead Falls
    • Tumalo State Park
    • Tumalo Falls
    • Tumalo Mountain
    • No Name Lake
    • Green Lakes
    • Moraine Lake
    • South Sister Summit
    • Muskrat Lake
    • Paulina Peak
    • Peter Skene Ogden Trail (members only)
  • Eugene
    • Ridgeline Trail
    • Mount Pisgah Summit
    • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
    • Shotgun Creek
    • Mount June
    • Lawler
    • Tire Mountain
    • Goodman Creek
    • Brice Creek
    • Trestle Creek Falls
    • Moon Falls
    • Elijah Bristow State Park
    • South Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Eula Ridge (members only)
    • Eagle's Rest (members only)
  • Oakridge
    • Deception Creek
    • North Salmon Creek
    • Grasshopper Ridge
    • Larison Creek
    • Bunchgrass Ridge
    • Salt Creek Falls
    • Waldo Lake Loop
    • South Waldo Loop
    • The Twins
    • Rosary Lakes
    • Fawn Lake
    • Windy Lakes
    • Divide Lake
    • Diamond Peak Summit
    • Cowhorn Mountain
    • Wall Creek Warm Springs (members only)
    • Moon Point (members only)
    • Bobby Lake (members only)
    • Lillian Falls (members only)
    • Middle Fork Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Pool Creek Falls (members only)
    • Dead Mountain (members only)
    • Larison Rock (members only)
    • Eddeeleo Lakes (members only)
    • Waldo Mountain Lookout (members only)
    • Blair Lake to Mule Mountain (members only)
    • Rigdon Lakes loop (members only)
  • Oregon Coast
    • Cascade Head
    • Drift Creek Falls
    • Sweet Creek Falls
    • Alsea Falls
    • Kentucky Falls
    • Marys Peak North Ridge
    • Marys Peak East Ridge
    • Cape Perpetua Loops
    • Hobbit Trail to Heceta Head
    • North Fork Smith River (members only)
    • Cummins Ridge (member's only)
    • Horse Creek (members only)
    • Siltcoos Lake (members only)
    • William Finley Wildlife Refuge (members only)
  • Southern Oregon
    • Fall Creek Falls
    • Watson Falls
    • Wild Rogue Loop
    • Mt. Thielsen
    • The Watchman
    • Mount Scott
    • The Pinnacles
    • Lower Table Rock
    • Pilot Rock
    • Wagner Butte
    • Mt. McLoughlin
    • Lemolo Falls (members only)
    • Fern Falls (members only)
  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
    • Mount Howard
    • Anthony Lake Loop
    • Schneider Cabin (members only)
    • Strawberry Lake & Falls (members only)
  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
    • PCT: Santiam Pass to Rockpile Lake
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Leave No Trace
    • Top Tips For Hiking With Infants And Toddlers
    • Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac
    • How to dress for cold weather hikes
    • Hiker Holiday Gift Guide 2019
    • Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide 2018
    • Hiking Holiday Gift Guide 2017
  • Reviews
    • Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review
    • Osprey Aura AG 65 Backpack review
    • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 review
    • REI Quarter Dome 1 review
  • Adventure Stories
    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
    • The Loop Around Three Fingered Jack
    • Jefferson Wilderness