Oregon · Hiking

Tombstone Nature

0.68-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 217 ft of elevation gain.

Photo: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

0.7 mi
round trip: 425 ft
climb: 4,231 ft
high point: Out and back
route

Is Tombstone Nature open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Tombstone Nature, so check the source for the area it covers.

Cedar Creek Fire Closure
Agency closure covering Willamette National Forest · Order 06-18-10-26-04 · USFS · Willamette National Forest
FIRE CLOSURES: Current wildfire closures on the Willamette National Forest
Agency alert covering Willamette National Forest · USFS · Willamette National Forest

As of Oct 23, 6:30 pm PDT · Source: USFS · Willamette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Tombstone Nature

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.

Jan
38° / 24°
Feb
41° / 24°
Mar
44° / 26°
Apr
49° / 29°
May
58° / 35°
Jun
65° / 38°
Jul
76° / 42°
Aug
76° / 42°
Sep
69° / 39°
Oct
56° / 33°
Nov
42° / 28°
Dec
36° / 23°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santiam Junction, OR, 10.2 mi away at 3,750 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Tombstone Nature is a short, easy hike in the Sweet Home Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is 1.4 miles long and out-and-back, with a round-trip elevation gain of 425 feet. The route starts and ends at about 4,089 feet and reaches a high point of 4,231 feet. The trail is rated easy, and the climb is gentle, though it does get steeper near the 0.3-mile mark, with a grade of about 13%. Bikes and horses are both allowed, which makes it a practical choice for riders and pack animals. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical July and August highs are about 76°F with lows around 42°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction, which sits roughly 480 feet lower than the trail. Winter is cold, with typical January highs near 38°F and lows around 24°F. The hike sits right beside the Iron Mountain-Cone Peak Loop and the Santiam Wagon Road Trail (#3413), both about 0.1 mile away. For paddling, Sevenmile Creek is 2.5 miles off, and Lost Prairie campground is 3.3 miles away.