Oregon · Hiking

Swordfern

1.8 mi
round trip
560 ft
climb
1,517 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Swordfern open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Umpqua National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Umpqua National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Swordfern is an easy hike of about 1.8 miles in the Cottage Grove Ranger District of Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, a short drive from the Forest Service's own Rujada Campground and Rujada Day Use Picnic Area, both about 0.1 mile away. The trail is an out-and-back with a rolling climb from 1,272 feet to 1,517 feet, with about 560 feet of total gain and loss. It is natural-surface and open to bikes, and the steepest part comes around 0.59 miles in at about 30%. The route is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Oakridge Fish Hatchery weather station show July and August highs around 80 to 81°F with only two or three wet days a month, while winter months see 15 to 17 wet days and highs in the low to mid 40s. The hike takes about an hour. The area is open year-round.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Swordfern

    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

      44° / 31°

      16 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      49° / 32°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      54° / 34°

      16 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      15 wet

    5. May

      66° / 43°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 47°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 50°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 45°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 40°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 35°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 32°

      17 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oakridge Fish Hatchery, OR, 15.2 mi away at 1,275 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive