Oregon · Hiking

Skeleton Cave

1.4 mi
round trip
61 ft
climb
4,231 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Skeleton Cave open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Skeleton Cave, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Skeleton Cave is an easy, short hike in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, about 1.4 miles long with a total elevation gain of 61 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced, with the route roughly flat and the steepest stretch at about 0.24 miles in. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The start sits at about 4,225 feet, and the high point is about 4,231 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Sunriver weather station show July highs around 84°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 30s and 40s. Boyd Cave is just 0.1 mile away, and Arnold Ice Cave Trail Number 63 and Swamp Wells Trail Number 61 are both about 3 miles off. Climbers can find the Central Oregon climbing area roughly 6.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Skeleton Cave

    Best months: May–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

      40° / 20°

    2. Feb

      43° / 21°

    3. Mar

      50° / 24°

    4. Apr

      57° / 25°

    5. May

      65° / 33°

    6. Jun

      72° / 37°

    7. Jul

      84° / 41°

    8. Aug

      83° / 40°

    9. Sep

      76° / 34°

    10. Oct

      62° / 28°

    11. Nov

      46° / 24°

    12. Dec

      37° / 19°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sunriver, OR, 11.7 mi away at 4,180 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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HIKE

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