Oregon · Hiking

South Fork

12.0 mi
round trip
1,580 ft
climb
4,010 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is South Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

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

South Fork is a 12-mile out-and-back hike in the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The trail rises from about 3,450 feet to a high point of about 4,010 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 1,580 feet over the full round trip. The climb is rated hard, and the trail is a natural-surface route that carries both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station records typical average highs in the upper 80s in July and August, with only two or three wet days a month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. Plan on about five hours for the round trip. Lower South Fork Campground and Lodgepole Guard Station are both within about four miles for overnight stays. The Middle Fork Rogue River is about 3 miles away, and the Alta Lake hike is about 5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit South Fork

    Best months: May–June and September–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

      50° / 30°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 31°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 33°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 35°

      15 wet

    5. May

      71° / 41°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 45°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 50°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 49°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 44°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 38°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 34°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 30°

      17 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Prospect 2 Sw, OR, 6.9 mi away at 2,482 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.

    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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