Oregon · Hiking · Sky Lakes Wilderness

South Fork Wilderness

South Fork WildernessPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
9.8 mi
round trip
1,307 ft
climb
5,671 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is South Fork Wilderness open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in High Cascades Ranger District. It doesn't name South Fork Wilderness, 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 Wilderness is a hard hike in the Sky Lakes Wilderness, part of the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is an out-and-back of about 9.8 miles with a total climb of 1,307 feet, from a starting elevation of about 4,678 feet to a high point of about 5,671 feet. The climb is front-loaded, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.9 miles in, with a grade of about 13 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Crater Lake show July and August highs around 69°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the low 30s and rain on most days. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses but not bikes. It is not an accessible route. South Fork Trail starts about a mile away, and Cat Hill Way Trail and Sky Lakes Cutoff are both within about 3.4 miles. Lower South Fork Campground, about 5.4 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit South Fork Wilderness

    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, 23.5 mi away at 6,485 ft. The station sits about 800 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer 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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

South Fork TrailPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

South Fork Trail

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9.98-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,660 ft gain/loss

SKY LAKES CUTOFFPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Snow LakesPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Sky LakesPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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HIKE

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Cold Spring TrailPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cold Spring Trail

~7 min drive

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IsherwoodPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Isherwood

~8 min drive

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