Oregon · Hiking

South Shore Trail

6.6 mi
round trip
5,295 ft
climb
4,114 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is South Shore Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Whitman Ranger District. It doesn't name South Shore Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

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

The South Shore Trail is an easy out-and-back hike on the Whitman Ranger District of Oregon's Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, along the Phillips Reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the land. The trail is about 13 miles long, with a total elevation gain of roughly 140 feet, and the high point sits at about 4,114 feet. The route is a low-key walk that begins and ends near the same elevation. The steepest stretch comes at about 4.6 miles in, with a grade of around 13 percent. July and August bring the warmest, driest conditions, with typical highs near 83°F and only about four to five wet days a month, according to averages from a nearby weather station. Southwest Shore Campground is about half a mile away, and Millers Lane Campground is about a mile off. For more hiking, Rim Rock Trail and Jeep Ride Trail both lie within about two miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit South Shore Trail

    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

      34° / 15°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      39° / 18°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 23°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      12 wet

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 39°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 43°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 42°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 28°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 22°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 16°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Austin 3 S, OR, 21 mi away at 4,213 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors