Oregon · Hiking

Southard Lake

0.8 mi
round trip
806 ft
climb
2,816 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Southard Lake open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Southard Lake is an easy, short hike in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests, on the Gold Beach Ranger District. The trail is 0.8 miles long and climbs about 400 feet one way to reach Lake Southard's high point at 2,816 feet. The route is an out-and-back, and the climb is steepest near the start, with a grade of about 29% at the first 0.07 miles. The trail is open from June 1 through October 31 and takes about half an hour. Horses and bikes are allowed, and the trail surface is natural. It is not an accessible route. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. July and August typically reach highs around 77°F with only about two wet days a month, according to typical averages from a nearby weather station at Sexton Summit. Winter months there average highs in the low 40s and 15 or more wet days. Foster Bar Campground is about 3.5 miles away, and Iron Mountain is 1.7 miles off. Azelea Lake and the South Fork Elk River are both within about 5 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Southard Lake

    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, 38.8 mi away at 3,832 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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

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