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Marion County, Oregon

Looking for the best backpacking in Marion County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Marion County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Marion County

  • Lyons, Oregon

    Cedar Flat and Kopetski Trail Loop

    9.62 mi / 958 ft gain
    On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire. We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums p...
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Dome Rock via the Upper Trailhead

    2.36 mi / 479 ft gain
    From Highway 22 at the Breitenbush River Bridge, in Detroit, turn north on to French Creek Rd. Drive up French Creek about 7.7 miles to the Upper TH #3379/3381 to Dome Rock and Tumble Lake. The trail can be found on the left side of the road and is easily seen after you pass it. It's best to pass...
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Battle Ax Mountain

    5.0
    5.09 mi / 1594 ft gain
    With 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, a...
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  • Clackamas County, Oregon

    Tumala (Squaw) Mountain

    4.7
    4.51 mi / 1099 ft gain
    On a clear day, this short, secluded hike offers breath-taking views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. 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 fi...
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Boca Cave & Triangulation Peak

    4.0
    4.75 mi / 1053 ft gain
    Triangulation 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. Dep...
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  • Linn County, Oregon

    Coffin Mountain Fire Lookout

    5.0
    2.67 mi / 873 ft gain
    Coffin 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)....
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Russell Lake via Whitewater Creek Trailhead

    4.8
    11.4 mi / 1926 ft gain
    This 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 wel...
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  • Idanha, Oregon

    Hunt's Cove via Pamelia Lake Trail

    14.74 mi / 3150 ft gain
    This loop through the Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area is one of the premier backpacking trips in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. The trail offers sustained up-close views of Mount Jefferson and several lookout points provide panoramic views of the western Oregon Cascades. The several large back...
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  • Idanha, Oregon

    Hike Grizzly Peak

    4.5
    10 mi
    After leaving your car at the Pamelia Lake trailhead, hike 2.3 miles along the trail following Pamelia Creek. The Grizzly Peak trailhead will be on the right just before the lake, which you should check out before or after your hike up to Grizzly Peak—there are several campsites around the lake t...
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  • Idanha, Oregon

    Hike up the South Slopes of Mount Jefferson

    15 mi / 7400 ft gain
    Set out from Pamelia Lake Trailhead through dense old growth forest. You'll see giant cedars, mixed firs and stunning mountain streams carving their way thru very green forest. After a couple miles, you'll reach Pamelia Lake. This is a great place to grab a snack, water, take photos and camp if y...
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  • Foster, Oregon

    Hike the Middle Pyramid

    4.5
    The Three Pyramids, half as tall as the better-known Three Sisters, are beautiful U-shaped glacial valleys, remnants of the Ice Age.To reach the top of Middle Pyramid, leave from the #3380 trailhead at the west end of the parking area. Early on there is a creek crossing (the bridge was still wash...
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  • Marion County, Oregon

    Explore Mt. Jefferson

    5.0
    I went for a quick overnighter. The end of August is great for weather, very little bugs, and perfect time to meet and chat with PCT through hikers.The weather was absolutely perfect for night photography and lounging around camp. It's also one of the best views in Oregon if you ask me.If you're ...
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  • Marion County, Oregon

    Hike Mt. Jefferson's Park Ridge

    5.0
    7.4 mi / 1500 ft gain
    From the Breightenbush Lake PCT trailhead (5,600ft Elevation) you hike through a thick forest until you reach an old burn area. This area was burned from a forest fire and has rebirthed lush green plants and bushes to help feed all the animals in the area. After a mile of climbing through the bur...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Veda Lake Trail

    4.0
    2.5 mi / 748 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Fir Tree Trailhead and is an out and back 2.8 mile round trip. It's short, but there's 660 feet of elevation gain. To start, you climb steeply then it's an easy hike to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the lake. The trail descends via switchbacks down to the lake for the ...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Tom Dick and Harry Mountain

    5.0
    8.28 mi / 1726 ft gain
    Looking 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 La...
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  • Rhododendron, Oregon

    Burnt Lake and Zigzag Mountain

    5.0
    12.27 mi / 3225 ft gain
    After getting your back country permit from a park ranger, you can park your car and head up Zigzag Mountain. There's a tiny 'parking lot' (lot of dirt) where you park that's right by the trailhead. The hike up to the campsites is roughly 4 miles, and it is all uphill. Not only are you surrounde...
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