Oregon · Hiking

Fay Lake Trail

3.1 mi
round trip
1,120 ft
climb
3,966 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is FAY LAKE TRAIL open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name FAY LAKE TRAIL, 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.

Fay Lake Trail is a 6.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Sweet Home Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The route gains about 1,120 feet over the course of the trip, with the high point at 3,966 feet, and the climb is steady rather than steep. The trail begins and ends at the same elevation of 3,561 feet. 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 stay in the mid-30s and lows dip below freezing. The hike takes about 2.5 hours, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is rated moderate, and the steepest stretch comes around 2.4 miles in, where the grade reaches about 18%. Several other destinations sit within a short drive. The Inner Mountain View Loop, a cross-country ski route, is less than a mile away, and the Trail #50 - Park Creek Loop and Trail #55 - Pyramid Loop both lie about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Big Pool Campground is about 1.1 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit FAY LAKE TRAIL

    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, 5.2 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

BIG SPRINGS LOOPPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

BIG SPRINGS LOOP

~4 min drive

6.64-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,742 ft elevation gain.

LAVA LAKE ACCESS EASTPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

LAVA LAKE ACCESS EAST

~5 min drive

3.58-mile out-and-back trail to Lava Lake with 477 ft elevation gain

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TRAIL #55 - PYRAMID LOOP

~2 min drive

36.22-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 5,508 ft elevation gain and loss.

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North Pyramid

~6 min drive

6.00-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,036 ft gain.

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Big Meadows Loop

~2 min drive

5.20-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,107 ft elevation gain.

SOUTH SPRINGS LOOPPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

SOUTH SPRINGS LOOP

~5 min drive

1.18-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 388 ft elevation gain.

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TRAIL #60 - STRAIGHT CRK LOOP

~4 min drive

27.98-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 4,372 ft elevation gain/loss

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TRAIL #48 - CRESCENT MT ROUTE

~6 min drive

9.12-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,989 ft elevation gain and loss.

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TRAIL #35 - BIG SPRINGS LINK

~3 min drive

6.02-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,352 ft elevation gain and loss.

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INNER MOUNTAIN VIEW LOOP

~2 min drive

4.98-mile loop in Oregon with 981 ft elevation gain and loss.