Oregon · Hiking

Lofton Big Swamp

5.7 mi
round trip
1,597 ft
climb
6,505 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Is Lofton Big Swamp open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Fremont-Winema National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Fremont-Winema National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lofton Big Swamp is a moderate hike of about 5.7 miles in the Bly Ranger District of Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest. The trail is a natural-surface out-and-back with a total climb of about 1,600 feet, reaching a high point of about 6,505 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.8 miles in, with a grade of roughly 19 percent. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Gerber Dam show July highs around 86°F with lows near 48°F, and the station sits about 1,600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so expect cooler temperatures up top. The Lofton Loop and Lofton to Heart Lake hikes start within a mile, and Lofton Reservoir campground is about 0.8 miles away. Holbrook Reservoir campground is about 2.5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Lofton Big Swamp

    Best months: May–June and August–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

      43° / 21°

    2. Feb

      45° / 24°

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

    4. Apr

      56° / 29°

    5. May

      64° / 37°

    6. Jun

      75° / 40°

    7. Jul

      86° / 48°

    8. Aug

      84° / 47°

    9. Sep

      78° / 39°

    10. Oct

      64° / 31°

    11. Nov

      49° / 25°

    12. Dec

      40° / 19°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gerber Dam, OR, 17.1 mi away at 4,870 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.