Oregon · Hiking · Sky Lakes Wilderness

Blue Canyon

7.7 mi
round trip
924 ft
climb
6,089 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Blue Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in High Cascades Ranger District. It doesn't name Blue Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · High Cascades Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Blue Canyon is a hard hike in the Sky Lakes Wilderness, part of the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The nearest town is Rocky Point, about 10.5 miles away, and the Forest Service manages the land. The route is an out-and-back of about 7.7 miles, with a total climb of 924 feet. The trail starts at roughly 5,700 feet and reaches about 6,090 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.8 miles in, with a grade of about 15 percent. Horses are allowed, and the trail is natural-surface, but it is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Crater Lake show July and August highs around 69°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the low 30s and rain on most days. The Blue Canyon Trail and Cat Hill Way Trail both lie within a mile, and Meadow Lake is about a mile off. For an overnight base, Fourmile Lake Campground is about 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Blue Canyon

    Best months: June–September. 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

      33° / 20°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 20°

      18 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 23°

      16 wet

    5. May

      49° / 29°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      57° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 41°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 42°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      63° / 37°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 30°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 23°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 19°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crater Lake Nps Hq, OR, 27 mi away at 6,485 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service

    • Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service

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