Oregon · Hiking

Deer Lake

2.5 mi
round trip
255 ft
climb
4,824 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Deer Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Deer Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Deer Lake is an easy, 2.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is short and gentle, with a total elevation gain of 43 feet, and it sits at about 4,800 feet. The route is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. The climb is almost flat, with the steepest stretch at about 6% grade near the start. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Wickiup Dam weather station show July highs around 83°F with only about three wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. Little Cultus Campground is just 0.3 miles away, and Lemish Lake and Deer Lake Trail #6 are both about 1.9 miles off. Crane Prairie Reservoir, a fishing spot, is about 3.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Deer Lake

    Best months: May–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

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 12.3 mi away at 4,358 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

North ShorePhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

North Shore

~5 min drive

3.42-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 279 ft gain.

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

Harralson

~12 min drive

2.09-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 6,108 ft elevation gain.

Jim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake)Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Jim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake)

~13 min drive

19.81-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 7,223 ft elevation gain/loss.

HIKE

Pacific Crest Trail_def

~8 min drive

16.86-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,127 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Many Lakes Trail #15

~6 min drive

9.34-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 1,023 ft elevation gain and loss.

Charlton Lake Trail #3593Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Charlton Lake Trail #3593

~13 min drive

1.66-mile out-and-back trail to Charlton Lake in Oregon with 208 ft gain.

HIKE

Charlton Trail #19

~4 min drive

14.24-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,180 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Metolius-Windigo Trail

~12 min drive

40.72-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,734 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Winopee Tie

~6 min drive

5.28-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 471 ft elevation gain.

Harralson Tie TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Harralson Tie Trail

~13 min drive

1.26-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 176 ft elevation gain