Oregon · Rock climbing · Camp Sherman · Near Sisters

Shepard's Tower

10 routes
5.5 – 5.11a
Sport · Trad
Jun–Sep
best months

Shepard's Tower is a climbing area in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the forest's network of climbing and hiking destinations, and the surrounding area offers plenty to pair with a visit to the crags. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 82°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the low 40s and regular snow from December through February. Shut-In is the closest trail, about 2.3 miles away, and Candle Creek Campground is roughly 4.8 miles off. Jefferson Lake and Jefferson Creek Trailhead are both a little over 5 miles away, making them good options for a longer outing.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Candle Creek Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    HOLA

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 13 mi
  • If it rains

    Kiwanis club

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters
  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Shepard's Tower

    Best months: June–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° / 27°

      19 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      44° / 27°

      16 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      49° / 29°

      19 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      56° / 33°

      18 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      64° / 38°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 43°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 47°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 41°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 35°

      14 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 31°

      18 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 27°

      19 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, OR, 16.8 mi away at 2,475 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (10)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

(t) Kiss of the Lepers ButtressPhoto: Jordan Beard, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(t) Kiss of the Lepers Buttress

~51 min drive

Kiss of the Lepers Buttress in Oregon has 5 climbing routes on 5 difficulty grades.

(4) Big Ben TowerPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(4) Big Ben Tower

~51 min drive

Big Ben Tower in Oregon has 12 climbing routes spanning 7 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

(5) Little Three Finger Jack AKA The Alex Reed Memorial WallPhoto: Bonnie Moreland from Oregon, United States, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(5) Little Three Finger Jack AKA The Alex Reed Memorial Wall

~51 min drive

Little Three Finger Jack AKA The Alex Reed Memorial Wall in Oregon has 11 sport routes.

Monkey FacePhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Monkey Face

~51 min drive

20 mixed, sport, and trad routes at Monkey Face in Oregon.

(rr) Diamonds and Rust ButtressPhoto: Bonnie Moreland from Oregon, United States, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(rr) Diamonds and Rust Buttress

~51 min drive

Diamonds and Rust Buttress in Oregon has 5 sport climbing routes on 3 difficulty grades.

(6) Puddy's TowerPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(6) Puddy's Tower

~51 min drive

Puddy's Tower in Oregon has 11 sport climbing routes on 8 difficulty grades.

Mesa Verde WallPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mesa Verde Wall

~51 min drive

Mesa Verde Wall in Oregon has 18 climbing routes with 11 difficulty grades, offering sport, top-rope, and trad styles.

(n) Snake RockPhoto: Theoweesnerpdx, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(n) Snake Rock

~51 min drive

Snake Rock in Oregon has 12 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Cornerstone ButtressPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cornerstone Buttress

~51 min drive

Cornerstone Buttress in Oregon has 6 sport climbing routes across 5 difficulty grades.

Spiderman ButtressPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Spiderman Buttress

~51 min drive

Spiderman Buttress in Oregon has 13 mixed, sport, and trad routes across 9 grades.