Oregon · Hiking

South Bend Mountain Way

South Bend Mountain WayPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.0 mi
round trip
1,515 ft
climb
3,636 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is South Bend Mountain Way open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wild Rivers Ranger District. It doesn't name South Bend Mountain Way, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

South Bend Mountain Way is a moderate out-and-back hike in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests, within the Wild Rivers Ranger District. The route is about 5 miles long, with a total climb of 1,515 feet, and it rises steadily from a start near 3,480 feet to a high point of about 3,636 feet. The trail is open year-round and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It's a natural-surface trail that is not accessible. Horses are allowed, but bicycles are not. The climb is most pronounced early on, with a steep stretch around the 0.33-mile mark where the grade reaches about 32%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Sexton Summit weather station run from highs of about 77°F in July and August to only about two wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the low 40s and roughly 16 wet days. Nearby, Collier Bar is about 2.3 miles away, and Florence Way and Florence Cut-Off are both within about 3.5 miles. Oak Flat Campground/Gravel Bar sits about 7 miles off for an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit South Bend Mountain Way

    Best months: May–October. 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° / 33°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 33°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 33°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 35°

      14 wet

    5. May

      61° / 41°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 46°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 53°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 54°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 51°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      47° / 36°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 32°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sexton Summit, OR, 33 mi away at 3,832 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

Florence Cut-OffPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Florence Cut-Off

~6 min drive

2.77-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,029 ft gain.

Pine Flat WayPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pine Flat Way

~8 min drive

3.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,609 ft elevation gain.

Illinois River TrailPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Illinois River Trail

~16 min drive

27.99-mile point-to-point trail in Oregon with 6,667 ft gain.

Pine GrovePhoto: james shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pine Grove

~17 min drive

11.70-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,241 ft of elevation gain.

Lake O WoodsPhoto: james shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lake O Woods

~20 min drive

0.60-mile lollipop trail at Lake O Woods in Oregon with 287 ft of elevation loss.

Collier BarPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Collier Bar

~4 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 4,699 ft gain.

TincupPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tincup

~17 min drive

Tincup is a 30.44-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 5,724 feet of elevation gain.

Florence WayPhoto: Northwest Rafting Company, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Florence Way

~5 min drive

6.20-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 275 ft elevation gain and 3,449 ft loss.

HIKE

Nancy Creek

~13 min drive

2.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 98 ft gain.

HIKE

Mud Springs

~10 min drive

4.20-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,499 ft elevation gain