Oregon · Hiking

South Twin Lake

3.0 mi
loop
54 ft
climb
4,390 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is South Twin Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name South Twin Lake, 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.

South Twin Lake is a 3-mile loop hike in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 50 feet from a low point of 4,341 feet to a high of 4,390 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 1.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 9 percent. The route is rated moderate, and the surface is natural. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. The trail is open from June 1 through October 31. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Wickiup Dam weather station show July highs around 83°F with lows near 47°F and only about three wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. West South Twin campground is just 0.3 miles away, and North Twin Lake campground is about a mile off. The Twin Lake and Dwarf Missletoe Interpretive hikes are each about a mile from the trail.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit South Twin Lake

    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° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 4.7 mi away at 4,358 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.