Oregon · Hiking

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

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.

    1. Jan

      51° / 37°

    2. Feb

      54° / 38°

    3. Mar

      59° / 39°

    4. Apr

      65° / 40°

    5. May

      75° / 43°

    6. Jun

      81° / 49°

    7. Jul

      90° / 52°

    8. Aug

      91° / 52°

    9. Sep

      86° / 48°

    10. Oct

      69° / 43°

    11. Nov

      55° / 40°

    12. 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