Johnson Creek
- 3.7 mi
- round trip
- 1,599 ft
- climb
- 1,042 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov
- best months
Is Johnson Creek open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Powers Ranger District. It doesn't name Johnson Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.
Rogue River National Recreation Trail Emergency Closure
Agency closure covering Powers Ranger District · Order 06-10-28-26-05 · USFS · Powers Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Powers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Johnson Creek is a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Powers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The trail rises from a low point of 694 feet to a high of 1,042 feet, a climb of about 385 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is not an accessible trail. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the surface is natural. The trip is rated hard, so plan for a steep climb and a long day. The most comfortable time to go is early fall, when typical averages from the nearby Illahe weather station show September highs around 86°F and October highs near 69°F. That station sits about 700 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The hike opens from June 1 through October 31. Sucker Creek is just 0.3 miles away, and Daphne Grove and Barklow Mountain are within about 3.5 miles. For an overnight base, Island Camp is about 3.5 miles off.
Local outfitters
- John Carl Guide Service14 mi away
- Remote Outpost RV Park20 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov
Best time to visit Johnson Creek
Best months: March–June and October–November. 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.
Jan
51° / 37°
Feb
54° / 38°
Mar
59° / 39°
Apr
65° / 40°
May
75° / 43°
Jun
81° / 49°
Jul
90° / 52°
Aug
91° / 52°
Sep
86° / 48°
Oct
69° / 43°
Nov
55° / 40°
Dec
51° / 36°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Illahe, OR, 8.7 mi away at 348 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service
Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Coquille River Falls
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Devils Backbone
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1.90-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,153 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Don Henise — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Mt. Bolivar
~23 min drive
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Wild Rogue Loop
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Photo: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Elk Creek Falls
~11 min drive
0.20-mile out-and-back trail to Elk Creek Falls in Oregon with 182 ft of elevation gain.
Pine Grove
~24 min drive
11.70-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,241 ft of elevation gain.
Humbug Mountain Trail (West)
~31 min drive
2.76-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,543 ft elevation gain.
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Rogue River National Recreation Trail
~14 min drive
Scenic 27-mile point-to-point trail along Oregon's wild Rogue River canyon.
Photo: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Big Tree
~11 min drive
1.46-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 569 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Barklow Mountain
~8 min drive
8.14-mile out-and-back trail to Barklow Mountain in Oregon with 1,341 ft gain.
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