Oregon · Hiking

Donegan Prairie

7.4 mi
round trip
1,880 ft
climb
5,383 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Donegan Prairie open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Umpqua National Forest.

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

Donegan Prairie is a 7.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Tiller Ranger District of Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 5,039 feet to about 5,383 feet, with the steepest stretch at 2.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 24%. It is a hard route, and the surface is natural, so plan for a rougher walk than a smooth trail. 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 17 or 18 days. That station sits about 1,100 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the prairie run a little warmer. The trail is open year-round, and bikes are allowed. It is not an accessible route. Abbott Butte Trail and Cougar Butte are both about 2.5 miles away. Big Serviceberry Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 3.2 miles off, and Butler Butte Cabin offers camping about 5 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 Donegan Prairie

    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, 23.2 mi away at 6,485 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive