Oregon · Hiking

Gander Lake

0.9 mi
round trip
374 ft
climb
4,931 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Gander Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Gander Lake, 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.

Gander Lake is an easy, 0.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail starts at about 4,780 feet and reaches a high point of 4,931 feet, with a total climb of 374 feet and a steepest stretch of about 18% grade at roughly 0.16 miles in. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Odell Lake show July and August highs around 73 to 74°F with only about three wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. Waldo Meadows is about 0.8 miles away and Swan Lake about a mile off. For paddling, Salmon Creek is about 3 miles away, and Skookum Creek Campground is about 6 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 Gander Lake

    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

      35° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      38° / 21°

      13 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 24°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      46° / 28°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      55° / 34°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      63° / 38°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 44°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 42°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 30°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      34° / 20°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Odell Lake-East, OR, 18.7 mi away at 4,800 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Waldo Mountain Trail #3592Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Waldo Mountain Trail #3592

~3 min drive

2.22-mile out-and-back trail at Waldo Mountain with 758 ft gain.

Salmon LakesPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Salmon Lakes

~6 min drive

2.61-mile out-and-back trail to Salmon Lakes in Oregon with 423 ft gain.

HIKE

Waldo Meadows

~1 min drive

15.29-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,993 ft elevation gain

Cupit Mary Meadow Trail #3560Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Cupit Mary Meadow Trail #3560

~8 min drive

3.1-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,311 ft elevation gain and loss.

Koch Mountain Trail #3576Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Koch Mountain Trail #3576

~8 min drive

3.52-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 664 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Winchester Ridge

~3 min drive

10-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,543 ft gain.

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

Rigdon Lakes

~8 min drive

4.16-mile out-and-back trail to Rigdon Lakes in Oregon with 455 ft gain.

KOCH MOUNTAINPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

KOCH MOUNTAIN

~9 min drive

2.12-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 684 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Blair Lake Trail

~4 min drive

14.99-mile point-to-point trail in Oregon with 3,193 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

GANDER LAKE

~1 min drive

1.42-mile out-and-back trail with 1,235 ft gain and 4,881 ft max elevation