Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Benson

1.2 mi
round trip
254 ft
climb
4,192 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Benson open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Benson, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Willamette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Benson is a short, easy hike in the McKenzie River Ranger District of Oregon's Willamette National Forest, about 1.2 miles long and roughly 170 feet of elevation gain one way. The trail is an out-and-back, starting and ending at the Tenas Lakes Trailhead, which is open year-round. The route is natural-surfaced and rated easy, with the steepest stretch at about 0.06 miles in, where the grade reaches 12 percent. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction show July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F, while winter highs there stay in the mid-30s. Nearby, Scott Mountain and Benson Lake Trail #3502 are both about 2.7 miles away, and Olallie Campground is about 4.1 miles off. Paddlers can reach the McKenzie River, about 7.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Scott Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    McDonald's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 21 mi
  • If it rains

    Clearwater Gallery

    Gallery

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Benson

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      38° / 24°

    2. Feb

      41° / 24°

    3. Mar

      44° / 26°

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

    5. May

      58° / 35°

    6. Jun

      65° / 38°

    7. Jul

      76° / 42°

    8. Aug

      76° / 42°

    9. Sep

      69° / 39°

    10. Oct

      56° / 33°

    11. Nov

      42° / 28°

    12. Dec

      36° / 23°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santiam Junction, OR, 14.6 mi away at 3,750 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Scott MountainPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Scott Mountain

~5 min drive

3.20-mile out-and-back trail to Scott Mountain summit in Oregon.

Benson Lake Trail #3502Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Benson Lake Trail #3502

~5 min drive

11.3-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 2,597 ft gain/loss and 5,538 ft max elevation.

Proxy Falls Trail #3532Photo: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Proxy Falls Trail #3532

~8 min drive

1.72-mile out-and-back trail with 451 ft gain in Oregon

Pct - Oregon Section FPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pct - Oregon Section F

~15 min drive

107.17-mile point-to-point trail in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service.

Hand LakePhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hand Lake

~8 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back trail to Hand Lake in Oregon with 810 ft gain

Scott Trail #3531Photo: Bonnie Moreland (free images), Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Scott Trail #3531

~8 min drive

10.54-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,914 ft elevation gain/loss

PROXY FALLSPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

PROXY FALLS

~8 min drive

1.35-mile loop trail with 429 ft gain and 420 ft loss in Oregon.

HIKE

Mckenzie River National Recreation Trail

~7 min drive

13.30-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 6,308 ft elevation gain.

Linton LakePhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Linton Lake

~9 min drive

3.32-mile out-and-back trail to Linton Lake in Oregon with 653 ft gain.

Foley RidgePhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Foley Ridge

~9 min drive

15.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,433 ft elevation gain