Southern Oregon Wilderness Hiking Trails

Rogue Country has thousands of square miles of secluded deciduous and old growth forests with hundreds of miles of  trail systems. Much of  this is high country, however coastal and ocean beach trails are also numerous. Abundant native forest plants and wildlife will keep you company while trekking along the hidden hiking trails. Choose to visit high mountain old growth forest trails with ice cold bubbling springs and streams, jewel like mountain lakes, moss and fern covered canyon bottoms or Pacific Ocean vistas with their secluded beaches. And we don't want to forget the traveled roads if you are looking for a ride or hike along Hwy. 101 or maybe through the back roads of Rogue River Country.

 

Map by the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Rogue Country offer much to the hiker who chooses a different path, one less traveled. Here-in we will give you the information needed to plan your back to nature hiking, biking or horseback trail information.

Depending on the time of year there may be snow in the higher elevations. It is always best to map out your hiking plan before you go. Check references with the agency that controls the forest you will be traveling in for travel info; such as rules, regulation, fees, etc. Be sure to leave your itinerary with someone, if you don't show up on time, people will know where to start looking.

Southern has many choices for the horseback rider, taking your own horses on one of many trails from U.S. Forest Service and BLM trails is a great choice, there are many options. There are rules in place to protect Back Country areas from noxious weeds;  if you plan to bring your horses please review the rules found in the links listed.

Upper Rogue River Hiking Trails

The Cascade Siskiyou National Monument is managed by the BLM. A visit to their web site will explain the diverse hiking area encompassed in the area, including recreational opportunities.

BLM
Crater Lake National Park recreational information
Prospect Ranger District / National Forest
47201 Highway 62
Prospect, Oregon. 97536-9724
(541) 560-3400

Sky Lakes Wilderness Area
Rogue Umpqua Divide Wilderness Area
Oregontrails.com

Other public Horseback Riding information:
Oregon Public Land Horseback Riding
Southern Oregon Horseback Riding

Middle Rogue Hiking Trails

Hiking trails information in the Middle Rogue area will be accessed from one of the links below. This area is especially strong in botanical and geological assets.

Illinois River Wilderness Trails

Wild Rogue River Canyon Hiking Trails

Canyon Lodges
Wild Rogue Wilderness Trails
Galice Ranger District Trails Maps
P.O. Box 440
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
541-471-6500

Guided Hiking Trips
Historic Rogue River Trail

White Water Warehouse offers Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon: guided hiking on the Rogue River trail. You get the best of both worlds; trekking through one of the nation's finest river canyons and the comfort of wilderness lodges or comfort camping each night.
This 40-plus mile hike generally is done in four days with the evenings spent in riverside lodges or camps. White Water Warehouse can accommodate you with either camp or lodge options.

The Rogue canyon offers an excellent scenic hiking experience as the trail meanders through forests, open meadows, and dramatic view points along rocky crags. Black bear, osprey, bald eagles, and wild flowers are to be seen throughout the canyon during your hikes. The wild and scenic section of the Rogue was one of the first river canyons brought under protection by the national wild and scenic rivers act. And, therefore, this hiking trip offers excellent photographic opportunities.

Call Joy or Renee for more Information 1-800-214-0579

Historically Permitted Rogue River Guide
BLM & USFS Guide

Lower Rogue River Hiking Trails

The Rogue Trail continues into the Lower River's region and as it does it changes federal managing agencies going from BLM to US Forrest Service. A great trail trekking experience. There is also the Illinois River Wilderness Trail which follows the Illinois through the Illinois Wilderness from the Illinois Valley near Selma to the Oak Flat Trail head 2.5 miles from Agness.

Lower Rogue River Trail information Foster Bar to Lobster Creek:

Wild Rivers Coast Trails

Grassy Knob Wilderness Area
Located in the Elk River Drainage
Covered in a tangled rain forest of coniferous evergreens thick with an ankle-grabbing under-story, Grassy Knob Wilderness lies rugged and steep. Elevations vary from almost sea level to more than 2,000 feet on summits that include Grassy Knob, at 2,342 feet, on the western boundary. This area nurtures the fragrant Port Orford cedar, drooping with its characteristic twisting limbs in rare stands of old growth with some trunks exceeding six feet in diameter.

The primary drainage of misnamed Dry Creek provides habitat for a remarkable population of spawning salmon. Many small, turbulent, and virtually pure streams tumble for short distances over emerald waterfalls and through ravines cool with shade during typically sunny summers. The red of vine maple brightens moss-laden glens come autumn, while winter brings an average of 130 inches of chilly rain born in the nearby Pacific. Weather changes may be remarkable and rapid.

Siskiyou National Forest Grassy Knob Trail
Chetco Ranger District Trails
Powers Ranger District Trails
Wildernet Hiking Trails
Oregontrails.com

Umpqua River Trails

Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness Hiking Area

This is a mysterious and beautiful area of high mountain meadows and hill-hugging mists. During the spring, abundant wildflowers welcome the season. In the fall, vivid colors mark the changing season. This is a land of deep forests and sub-alpine meadows. For those who want to experience large old-growth forests, Acker Divide and Cripple Camp trails fit the bill. Nearly all the trails in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide pass through sub-alpine meadows. These beautiful meadows change with the seasons. In the spring, they are a pallet of lush green grass, wildflowers, and trees in bud. In the summer, the smell of horsemint fills the air as hummingbirds dart from flower to flower.

The range of several conifers meet in this wilderness creating a diverse pallet including sugar pine, grand fir, mountain hemlock, western white pine, incense cedar, sub alpine fir, western red cedar, white fir, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Alaska-cedar, Shasta red fir, Lodgepole pine, pacific silver fir, western hemlock, and White-bark pine.

Numerous trails throughout the area take visitors to many lakes, meadows, and breathtaking vistas. Early local resident O.C. Brown described the area around Fish Lake "on all sides the mountains clad in dense, evergreen forest, rise like a wall and are crowned by massive peaks of frowning rocks, that stand like feudal castles and for countless ages have mirrored their bold outlines in the sylvan lake".

Tiller Ranger District / Umpqua National Forest
Douglas County Trails

Mt. Thielsen Wilderness Hiking Area

For a more serene wilderness adventure, hike into Lake Lucille or Maidu Lake. The hiking trail passes over deep pumice that was deposited when Mt. Mazama erupted to form Crater Lake. The famed North Umpqua River begins at Maidu on its long trek to the Pacific Ocean.

For the more experienced, the climb to the top of 9,182-foot Mt. Thielsen is in order. Sitting at the top of the sharp volcanic pinnacle, it is easy to see why Thielsen has been called "the lightning rod of the Cascades.

Mt. Thielsen Wilderness Hiking Area

Boulder Creek Wilderness Hiking Area

Umpqua National Forest / Boulder
North Umpqua National Forest Recreation

Oregon Coast Trails

The Oregon Coast Trails will eventually traverse the entire 350 miles of the coast border to border. Over 300 miles are now in use, many of those miles are on the beach, while others use existing or newly built segments over the headlands. 

Because some Curry sections of the trail come back to 101 frequently, it lends itself to short hikes of from ½ to 3 miles with longer hikes for those who want to cover several sections in a day. Numbers are Hwy 101 mile markers listed south to north.

352.6     mile post
1. Lone Ranch Rest Area to Cape Ferrelo Parking Area. 
Moderate Hike. As of this writing, Lone Ranch is the southern anchor of the Oregon Coast Trails. Restroom and picnic facilities are here. The trail starts just past the restrooms. It crosses a bridge across Lone Ranch Creek and goes along north, above the beach before heading up the hill to the top of the westernmost portion of the Cape and then around the north edge and to the parking area on top.  

351.9   mile post
2. Cape Ferrelo to House Rock Viewpoint. Easy Hike. 1½-Miles.
The trailheads north from the Cape parking lot and winds its way through open grassy areas and then into wooded   
areas. House Rock Viewpoint has a large parking area. A monument to Samuel Boardman, early Director of the
State parks System is here. 

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 3. House Rock Viewpoint to Whalehead Park. 2 ½  to 3 Miles.
Moderate Hike. Trail leaves from the northwest corner of the parking lot. In a short distance it comes back close to Hwy. 101 before crossing a bridge and then heading through a wooded area and then grassy slopes to the beach. The portion from the grassy area to the beach is steep and may be difficult as wave action sometimes takes the trails out.. The last half of the trail is along the beach to Whalehead Park. An easier alternate route leads to the right a hundred or
so yards past the bridge. It parallels the highway, passes by two beautiful waterfalls and comes out at Whalehead
Viewpoint. From there it is down to the beach and then to Whalehead picnic area.

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4. From the parking Area at Whalehead
to the next section leaves from just behind the rest room and parallels Hwy.101 to meet the south end of Whalehead Loop.

5. Whalehead Loop. 1 Mile. Easy to Moderate.
This loop is another scenic one and you return to Hwy. 101 just about 500 steps from you started. The trail begins where Whalehead Park Access Road joins Hwy. 101. The first part is steep but it levels out once you have gained the heights. 

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6. Indian Sands Section. 1 to 1 ½ Miles Easy to Moderate.
A wide spot along Hwy 101 is a place to park to start at the south end. The trail goes through woods and then a  panorama of sand, sculpted sandstone and breath-taking coves and arches comes into view. Indian middens may be found, but the are protected by law, so look but do not dig. Shortly after entering the sand area a trail heads up a steep hill to the Indian Sands parking area. To go further north, follow the trail along the upper end of the sand. It drops over a small saddle and then a steep draw and back to Hwy. 101, just north of Indian Sands parking area. Do not get too close to the ocean edge. Dangerous.

347.9  mile post
7. To Thomas Creek Bridge. ½ Mile. Easy to Moderate.
Parallels Hwy 101 from the end of the Indian Sands Section. It swings around a steep, nearly open hillside, plunges through a spruce forest and traverses around the head of a draw and goes up towards the south Thomas Creek parking area. A side-trail leads to a spot below the bridge where great photo opportunities awaits. Thomas Creek Bridge is the highest bridge in Oregon. at 345 ft.

8. Thomas Creek Bridge to North Islands Viewpoint. Easy.
About ½ Mile. Leaves Hwy. 101 at the northwest corner of the bridge. After a short trek through wooded areas, it opens into small grassy areas before going back to Hwy. 101 at North Islands Viewpoint. An interesting side trip is across the meadow to the knob west of the trail. You can look back and see Thomas Creek Bridge and a considerable distance down the coast.

347.5 mile post
9. North Islands Viewpoint to Spruce Creek. Moderate.
A delightful beach below China Creek is your reward if you follow this trail, moderate in difficulty, but the hike is well worth it. Leaves Hwy. 101 at the North Islands Viewpoint, and goes through wooded areas before joining the downhill trail. The trail will then switchback through dense thickets with a few “windows” before breaking out into the open. It’s an easy trek to the beach along the grassy hillside. The beach portion is wide and often dry above the waves.

Several nice picnic areas can be found. Walking north along the beach, the critical part is a rocky point that must be negotiated to make a complete loop. A tide of lower than 5 feet will usually give the chance to run around the point, before climbing up the bank over wave worn rounded rocks.

The trails marker is on the bank above the beach and then it’s uphill. Stop often to rest and gaze back at the ocean and it won’t seem sp steep. Occasionally you might see a flock of goats grazing or sunning themselves on the rocks near the ocean. A large parking area is located at the top of the hill and you’re back on Hwy. 101, near Spruce Creek.

10. Spruce Creek to Horse Prairie Creek. About ½ Mile.
Leaves Hwy. 101, about ¼ mile north of Spruce Creek and winds through a wooded area before traversing the slope on a narrow trail above a secluded cove.

11. Horse Prairie Creek To Natural Bridge. About ½ Mile.
Easy to Moderate. The trails path follows the slope just below Hwy. 101 and then crosses a grassy flat to the south access to this woodsy track that ends at Natural Bridge Viewpoint.. Just before Natural Bridge viewing platform, a steep primitive path heads west to a bench above the ocean with more spectacular views. A memorial to Dr. Sam Dickens, who first proposed the Oregon Coast Trails, is located at the north end of the grassy area by the parking lot.

12. Natural Bridge To Thunder Rock. About ½ Mile. Moderate.
Leaves the north end of the parking area and goes through some beautiful wooded areas. Near the beginning is a fork with a left trail dead-ending at a scenic view-point. Further along, just before swinging east back to Hwy. 101, another primitive path will take you to another bluff over looking a secluded cove.

13. Natural Bridge to Thunder Rock Cove. About 3/4 Mile.
Easy to Moderate. This portion is actually three segments that can be delightful hikes by themselves or can be combined into a longer hike. This section takes you above and to one of the most beautiful and isolated beaches in the area, known to some as “Secret Beach”, but no longer much of a secret. Again, you have two trails from which to choose. Shortly after the beginning of the trail, the left fork switchbacks down to another secluded cove and along the bluff above a portion of “Secret Beach”. The straight-ahead path is not maintained but can be used as a loop to come back from the scenic route. The second segment is the trail that goes on to Miner Creek where you enter “Secret Beach”. From Miner Creek and an old “cat” road provides one way back to Hwy. 101, but the trail itself goes through the woods and back to Hwy. 101, a little north in the third segment of this interesting section.

14. Miner Creek To Spruce Islands Viewpoint. About ½ Mile.
Moderate. Leaves Hwy. 101, just north of miner Creek section and follows the south slope above a beautiful cove. The trails path then goes along the bluff overlooking the ocean before going back uphill through a spruce forest and back to the parking area at Spruce Island Viewpoint. (Abundant Poison Oak here, so be careful)

15. Spruce Islands Viewpoint to Arch Rock.
This Approximately ½ mile segment is relatively easy. The south end starts from the middle of the viewpoint parking area and transverses the hillside where it provides several views of the ocean. The north end starts at Arch Rock picnic area at the end of the fence just off Hwy. 101.

16. Arch Rock Viewpoint, North.
Leaves from the paved path north of the parking area. It crosses a bridge and then through the woods and crosses another bridge before returning to Hwy. 101, at a parking area. The trail then is west of the guardrail on the highway shoulder.

17. Just North of Hoskenaden Creek,
Leaves a primitive parking area and heads out towards the ocean. It goes through the grassy area and then down to a bench along the highway fill. At the end of the bench it side-hills down to a four wheel drive road. Cross the road and follow the trails path over a bridge just north of the road. The trails path heads north and crosses another small creek and then heads uphill to the east on an old road. About halfway up towards the top, the trail side-hills to the north and at the saddle you can see the concrete flume through which Whiskey Creek flows. The trails path parallels the flume and goes around the head of it and then up the north end of a meadow before plunging back into a spruce woods, then alder and fern and then a designated viewpoint parking area.

18. From the viewpoint parking area at the north end of No. 17,
he trail again heads north. It traverses just under the next viewpoint, goes into the woods, comes out at a wide spot along Hwy. 101 and continue on to a large viewpoint a short distance north. The highway shoulder is the next portion as it goes towards the north.

19. Pistol River Sand Dunes to Pistol River. Easy to Moderate.
This section is not an official part of the Oregon Coast Trail but until a permanent route is established, it does provide an interesting hike of about 1 mile. This is good area for just doing some exploring. The trail leaves Hwy. 101, at the end of the fence north of a road blocked by a gate. The gated road is about ¼ mile from the end of end of the southbound passing lane just south of Pistol River. The hiking trail wanders through the stabilized sand area and then through and into the dunes themselves. The trail heads towards the ocean at the blow-sand where it joins the horse trail marked with posts with a horseshoe painted on them. The left fork goes to the beach and to Pistol River. The right fork goes through the dunes and wooded areas and meets highway 101 south of the river.

20. Pistol River to Cape Sebastian.
Unless the river mouth is blocked by sand take Highway 101 bridge over Pistol River. The trail follows the beach to the base of Cape Sebastian at Hunter’s Cove. Several access points enable you to leave this segment and get back to Hwy. 101.

21. Cape Sebastian Trail. About 1 Mile. Easy to Moderate.
The best way to hike this section is from the south parking lot on top of the Cape to the beach. Have someone drop you off at the top and meet you at the Meyers Creek parking area south of the Cape. A rope is tied to a tree to help you access the beach.

22. From the south to north parking area on Cape Sebastian
the trail traverses the west side of the road. When it joins the North trail, either take a right to the North parking area or follow it to the road system. (See No. 23)

23. Cape Sebastian North. About 1/3 mile. Easy to Moderate.
The trail leaves from the east side of the north parking area, goes through a short section of spruce and pine woods before coming to a junction. The trail to the right is easy to moderate and goes about 1/3 mile back to Hwy.101, a short distance from the entrance of Cape Sebastian Park. The left fork travels through a spruce forest and then switchbacks down to a primitive road system above the beach. The road system has many hiking and scenic opportunities. At the first junction a road heads east and will take you back to Hwy 1010. Further on another road heads east and will take you back to hwy 101. Continuing to the north and west the road enters the beach. From there you can hike to Hunter Creek on the beach access on the 333 trail.

333 mile post
24. Mileposts 333 to Hunter Creek. About 2 ½ miles.
Easy to Moderate. Park in the turn-off at MP 333 (just across the highway from 80 Acre Road). The trail is fairly easy traveling through alder patches, open meadows and spruce forests until you reach the beach. The trail goes along the beach to Hunter Creek. It’s a long trek on the beach, so be sure you are up to it.

25. Hunter Creek To Rogue River. About 2 miles.
Easy. Follow beach to the south jetty of the Rogue River. Several access points allow you to rejoin 101 along this section. Cross Rogue River on bridge.

26. Rogue River to Otter Point. About 2 ½ miles. Easy to Moderate.
Travel beach from the north jetty to s small creek slightly south of Otter Point. The beach section is easy. The trail leaves the beach at the first creek south of Otter Point. It traverses the bluff and then through waist high brush on the bluff. It ends at the parking area on Otter Point. The Otter Point area is a good place to explore further to see interesting plants and rock formations. Several beach access points allow you to leave the beach before reaching Otter Point. And get to Old Coast Highway.

325. mile post

27. Otter Point to Geisel Monument. About 3 miles.
Easy. From Otter Point the trail follows the Old Coast Road as it crosses Highway 101 twice on the way to Geisel Monument.

322.4 mile post

28. Geisel Monument to Ophir. About 4 ½ miles.
Easy to Moderate. The trail leaves at the north end of Geisel Monument and follows the paved road towards the community of Nesika Beach. Turn west off Nesika Road, north of the town and enter the beach. The beach is the trail to Ophir. Nesika Beach to Ophir is a highway rest area with restroom and picnic tables.

29. The Highway 101 Shoulder is the Coast Trail to Humbug State Park.

305.5.1 mile post

30. Humbug State Park. Day Use and Overnight Camping. Moderate to Steep. Follows Brush Creek for a wile before going up the hill to avoid steep cliffs. Crosses a road and joins the next segment inside Humbug State Park Overnight Camping.

31. Humbug State Park Easy to Moderate.
Follows old Highway 101 from just inside Humbug Overnight Camping area. Joins new Highway 101 slightly south of “Entering Humbug park” sign at the north end. Another exciting trail leads from the south side of the campground and goes to the top of Humbug Mountain, a trip worth taking. Keep bearing left on the trail on the way up and come down the steeper section that starts just below the top. You will see the junction on the way up.

301.1 mile post

32. Battle Rock Beach.
About ½ mile north of the Rocky Point Viaduct., a dirt road goes to Battle Rock beach. The beach is the trail to battle Rock Park at the south end of Port Orford.

     33. From Agate Beach on the heads at Port Orford,
the beach is the trail across Elk River and to the south of Cape Blanco. The trail ascends the south side of the Cape; goes close to the overnight camp and then drops down by two different trails to the north side of Cape Blanco. 

296.6 mile post
 
34. Cape Blanco to the Mouth of New River.
From the north side of Cape Blanco, follow the beach across Sixes River and up towards Blacklock Point. Blacklock was a sandstone quarry and several buildings in San Francisco are made of Blacklock sandstone. A side trail leads to the rocks where some twisted rails can still be seen. The quarried rocks were transported out on a rocky causeway and then lightered to ships standing offshore. Just south of Blacklock, the trail goes uphill and follows the bluff through the brush and Sitka spruce forests and then opens up above a series of beautiful wave and wind sculpted cliff above the beach. For a short distance it follows the Old Coast Guard road before dipping back through a forested area where the road is washed out. The trail goes down through a draw and then comes back to the beach at the mouth of Floras Lake. From Floras Lake the beach is the trail along New River to public land at the mouth of New River, just outside Curry County. You can access the Coast Trail from Cape Blanco State park and from Airport Rd, a westbound road leaving Highway 101 directly across from the entrance to Pacific High School.
 

Contact Rogue River Country