Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Elk Ranch

Elk RanchPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
4.4 mi
round trip
138 ft
climb
3,265 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Is Elk Ranch open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Elk Ranch is a 4.4-mile moderate out-and-back hike in the Sisters Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, about 1.6 miles from the town of Sisters. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surface. The route starts at an elevation of about 3,259 feet and reaches a high point of about 3,265 feet, with a total climb of about 138 feet and a steepest grade of about 4% at about 1.3 miles. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Sisters weather station show July highs around 86°F and lows near 43°F, while September cools to highs around 76°F. Sisters High School South is just 0.1 mile away, and the Peterson Ridge Trail East and West are each about 1.5 miles off. For an overnight stay, Cold Springs Campground is about 2.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Three Sisters Overnight City Park

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Kiwanis club

    Attraction

    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–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Elk Ranch

    Best months: May–June and August–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

      41° / 21°

    2. Feb

      44° / 22°

    3. Mar

      51° / 25°

    4. Apr

      57° / 29°

    5. May

      66° / 34°

    6. Jun

      74° / 39°

    7. Jul

      86° / 43°

    8. Aug

      85° / 42°

    9. Sep

      76° / 36°

    10. Oct

      61° / 29°

    11. Nov

      47° / 25°

    12. Dec

      39° / 20°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sisters, OR, 1.6 mi away at 3,180 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Sisters High School SouthPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sisters High School South

Next door

7.26-mile out-and-back trail at Sisters High School South, Oregon.

Whychus Creek Metolius-WindigoPhoto: Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whychus Creek Metolius-Windigo

~3 min drive

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Whychus Footbridge TiePhoto: Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whychus Footbridge Tie

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PETERSON RIDGE TRAIL EASTPhoto: Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

PETERSON RIDGE TRAIL EAST

~3 min drive

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

Eagle Rock LoopPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Eagle Rock Loop

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Metolius-Windigo TrailPhoto: Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Metolius-Windigo Trail

~4 min drive

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Peterson Burn HorsePhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Peterson Burn Horse

~8 min drive

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

Whychus Creek

~7 min drive

5.80-mile out-and-back trail at Whychus Creek in Oregon.

Metolius-Windigo TrailPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Metolius-Windigo Trail

~5 min drive

0.66-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 81 ft elevation gain.

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

Peterson Ridge Tie

~8 min drive

6.50-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 663 ft gain