Oregon · Hiking · Sky Lakes Wilderness

Lake Ivern

Lake IvernPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.7 mi
round trip
1,168 ft
climb
6,137 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Lake Ivern open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in High Cascades Ranger District. It doesn't name Lake Ivern, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · High Cascades Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lake Ivern is a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon's Sky Lakes Wilderness, part of the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail runs entirely within wilderness. The route starts near 6,111 feet and reaches a high point of 6,137 feet before descending back to the start. That makes the total climb about 1,168 feet round trip, with the steepest stretch at about 1.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 19%. The trail's natural surface and the lack of accessible access mean it is suited to hikers and riders on horseback. Bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At a nearby weather station, typical July and August highs average about 69°F, with only four wet days a month, while winter highs typically sit in the low 30s and bring wet weather on most days. The trip takes about two hours, and the trail stays open year-round. Several other hikes lie close by, including Rogue Wolf Loop, Cliff Lake and Seven Lakes Trail, all within a mile, and Devils Peak at about a mile away. For an overnight stay, Lower South Fork Campground is about 6 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Lake Ivern

    Best months: June–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

      33° / 20°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 20°

      18 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 23°

      16 wet

    5. May

      49° / 29°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      57° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 41°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 42°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      63° / 37°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 30°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 23°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 19°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crater Lake Nps Hq, OR, 17.1 mi away at 6,485 ft. 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

Rogue Wolf LoopPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Rogue Wolf Loop

Next door

An 18-mile point-to-point Oregon trail through Rogue River wilderness.

Nannie Creek TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Nannie Creek Trail

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Donna LakePhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Donna Lake

~6 min drive

1.60-mile out-and-back trail to Donna Lake in Oregon with 83 ft gain.

Snow LakesPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Snow Lakes

~11 min drive

13-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,421 ft gain.

HIKE

THREEMILE LOOP

~10 min drive

17.06-mile out-and-back out-and-back in Oregon with 3,545 ft elevation gain

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

Divide

~7 min drive

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SKY LAKES CUTOFFPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

SKY LAKES CUTOFF

~8 min drive

3.54-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 702 ft gain and loss.

South Fork WildernessPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

South Fork Wilderness

~11 min drive

9.77-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon's South Fork Wilderness with 1,223 ft gain.

Cold Spring TrailPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cold Spring Trail

~11 min drive

2.54-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 539 ft elevation gain.

Sky Lakes Cutoff TrailPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Sky Lakes Cutoff Trail

~9 min drive

3.62-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 727 ft elevation gain and loss.