The Best Backpacking in Oregon
Looking for the best backpacking in Oregon? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Oregon. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
-
Snowshoe the Rim at Crater Lake NP
4.333 miWhy Go? Avoid the crowds in summer and have the entire 33 mile long rim and 21 square miles of beautiful Crater Lake to yourself. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away; stars and a milky way you can get lost in for days. Expect solitude and beautiful scenery, nothing less. The 360 degree views from top of Watchman Peak, Hillman Peak, Mt Scott and Garfield Peak are breathtaking.Di...Read more -
Hike Broken Top Mountain
4.76 miThe hike takes you along a glacial lake and to unbeatable mountain views at the end. It’s a hidden gem! The trail isn’t marked and the best way to get there is know someone that’s been before. The lake is unbelievably beautiful with deep blue glacial water and the view of the mountains at the end of the hike is literally the best I have ever seen. From the viewpoint you can see the peak of Brok...Read more -
Backpacking to Russell Lake
4.812 mi / 1800 ft gainThis hike begins 7.5 miles down Whitewater Road at the Whitewater Trailhead, about 10 miles east of Detroit Lake. The road is bumpy, but can be navigated at slow speeds, even without four-wheel drive. Make sure to fill out a wilderness pass once you arrive at the trailhead.The trail is very well maintained, with incredible views along the way. About 4½ miles in, the trail intersects the Pacific...Read more -
Hike to Coffin Mountain Fire Lookout
5.03 mi / 1000 ft gainCoffin Mountain Fire Lookout is a beautiful day hike that takes you to its summit at 5771 feet elevation, covering roughly 1070 feet elevation gain. To get to the Coffin Mt. trailhead from Detroit OR, travel east on Highway 22 for approximately 19.5 miles to Forest Road 11 (Straight Creek Road). Take a right on Forest Road 11 and travel for approximately 4 miles to the Forest Road 1168 intersec...Read more -
Hike to Battle Ax Mountain in Oregon
5.0With no officially marked trailhead, this hike begins slightly west of Elk Lake in Marion County. Take Highway 22 to Detroit, OR. East of the bridge over Breitenbush River, turn onto (FR) Forest Road 46, with signs pointing to Breitenbush River. After 4.5 miles turn left at a sign for Elk Lake, at FR 4696. In 0.8 miles, turn left at a small gravel road, onto FR 4697. There will be a fork after ...Read more -
Hike to the Boca Cave & Triangulation Peak
4.04.7 mi / 800 ft gainTriangulation Peak, Spire Rock and Boca Cave TH #3372 The trail starts on level ground where you travel east along the top of the ridge. There are multiple trees that have fallen across the trail making the hike quite adventurous. Some trees you'll go over and some you will need to go under. Depending on the time of year you go, there could snow covering the trail in some areas. After about 1....Read more -
Backpack around Broken Top
3.322.6 mi / 2200 ft gainThis loop trip around Broken Top is one of the premier backpacking loops in Oregon. The trail winds past numerous alpine lakes, including the popular Green Lakes area, and offers near-constant views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters, and Mount Bachelor. To top it all off, the clear skies typical of central Oregon in the summer allows views as far as Mount Adams in southern Washington and east to...Read more -
Climb Tom Dick and Harry Mountain
5.0Looking to score those iconic photos of Mt. Hood? Climb the well-graded trail to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, one of the most accessible summit hikes to Portlanders, and see where they were all taken.Starting from the busy Mirror Lake Trailhead, climb roughly 900 feet and 1.5 miles to Mirror Lake along one of the most popular and easily accessible trails in Oregon. There will be families, kids,...Read more -
Hike to Black Butte
4.5Just outside of Sisters Oregon is the stunning and popular day hike to the summit Black Butte (Elevation 6,436 feet). At the top, spectacular views of the surrounding Cascades await the intrepid hiker. To get to the trailhead, turn off of Highway 22 onto National Forest Road (NFR) 11, also known as Green Ridge Road. NFR 11 is 5.5 miles west of Sisters and 2.5 miles east of Black Butte Ranch. Fo...Read more -
Hike to Linton Falls
4.5Hiking to Linton Falls accounts for the two larger waterfalls on the cascading Linton Creek. The hike begins at the trailhead to Linton Lake, off the Mackenzie Pass Highway (242) about 8 miles east from the junction with Highway 126.The first 1.5 miles of the trail to Linton Lake is relatively easy hiking, with a well defined trail leading you through lava fields and along the edge of Linton La...Read more -
Hike McNeil Point
4.910.5 mi / 2200 ft gainThe hike to McNeil Point begins at Top Spur Trailhead, in the Mt. Hood National Wilderness. Follow signs for McNeil Point along the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails heading north. Though there are numerous camping opportunities along the way (most of the route follows the PCT), an old stone shelter greets backpackers at the Point itself, with stunning views of the sun setting over the Coast ...Read more -
Basecamp at Green Lakes
5.08.5 miThis 8.5 mile roundtrip hike to Green Lakes basecamp gains elevation gradually as it meanders along beautiful Fall Creek with numerous small cascades. Depending on the season (expect significant snow on the trail through early-to-mid June) the stark contrast of the snow with creek is beautiful, though the wildflowers blooming in the meadows along the creek in the summer are equally beautiful. I...Read more -
Hike to Green Lakes
5.09 mi / 1100 ft gainPark your vehicle at the Green Lakes Trailhead, grab your gear and head for the trail.Since this hike enters the Three Sisters Wilderness, be sure to fill out the required information to obtain a free self-issued day use permit at the registry station.Starting at an elevation of 5,500 feet, the beginning of the trail is relatively flat. Almost immediately, you will cross a bridge over Fall Cree...Read more -
Backpack to The Wallowas' Mirror Lake
4.714 mi / 2000 ft gainMirror Lake, one of the most photogenic and peaceful lakes in the area, is accessible via the Two-Pan Trailhead, off of Upper Lostine Road.The hike follows the river that flows down from the Lakes Basin, so water is plentiful throughout. You will slowly move up the valley, crossing the river a couple of times, so waterproof boots are a must. There is one occasion when wading through the water i...Read more -
Climb to the Top of Mount Defiance, OR
3.712 mi / 4870 ft gainThis hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Starvation Cutoff Trail (which is what you’ll return on), and you’ll arrive at Cabin Creek Falls. Soon ...Read more -
Climb Squaw Mountain
4.5On a clear day, this short, secluded hike offers breath-taking views of Mt. St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson, as well as of downtown Portland, Coast Range, and the Roaring River Wilderness.Begin the hike from the Twin Springs Trailhead and immediately take your first left at the T. Follow the trail up and over a hill before crossing two saddles, one of which affords views of the ...Read more
Quick links
- The best hiking trails in Oregon
- The best backpacking in Oregon
- The best camping in Oregon
- Top adventures in Oregon
