Oregon · Hiking · Sky Lakes Wilderness

Meadow Lake

1.1 mi
round trip
649 ft
climb
5,997 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 13 h ago

Is Meadow Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in High Cascades Ranger District. It doesn't name Meadow Lake, 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.

Meadow Lake is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.1 miles in Oregon's Sky Lakes Wilderness, within the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. The trail climbs roughly 300 feet from a low point of about 5,677 feet to a high of about 5,997 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.11 miles, where the grade reaches 18%. The most comfortable months are July and August, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at Crater Lake run highs around 69°F and lows near 41°F with only about four wet days a month. Winter is much colder and wetter, with highs in the low 30s and around 18 wet days a month in December and January. The trail is on natural surface, and it is open to horses but not to bikes. The Forest Service lists it as not an accessible trail. The hike runs from about June 1 through October 31. Blue Canyon Trail is about half a mile away and Blue Canyon about a mile off, with Cat Hill Way Trail at about 1.6 miles. Fourmile Lake Campground is roughly 3.2 miles away for those planning an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Meadow Lake

    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, 28 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

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