Hiking Sisters Oregon Full Guide: 10 Best Hikes Near Sisters (+Maps)

Hiking Sisters Oregon has never failed to disappoint visitors and locals alike. There are dozens of amazing hikes near Sisters.

From waterfalls to mountain views to alpine lakes, hiking near Sisters has it all!

In this article, we’ll cover the top hikes near Sisters and provide helpful planning advice for your adventure.

As locals, we love hiking near Sisters, and hiking in central Oregon in general. We are excited to share the best hikes near Sisters with you.

Lace up your boots, pack the snacks and let’s explore the best of hiking Sisters Oregon!

Hikes Near Sisters Oregon Summary

Central Oregon has some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking in the Pacific Northwest and beyond!

Sisters is positioned perfectly for access to amazing hikes in the Central Oregon Cascade Mountains.

In the table below, we list all of the hikes near Sisters mentioned in this article. You can click the name of the hike to learn more below.

Hike Name	Distance From Sisters	Difficulty	Known For	Permit(s) Required
Tam McArthur Ridge	35 minutes	Moderate	Up close views of Broken Top and Three Sisters	Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
Black Butte Trail	30 minutes	Moderate/Hard	Expansive view of Central Oregon	Recreation Fee Site
Black Crater Trail	27 minutes	Hard	Unique burn zone and impressive views	Free, self-issued at trailhead
Belknap Crater	40 minutes	Moderate/Hard	Rugged lava flows with unique views	Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
Chambers Lakes Basin Trail	40 minutes	Hard	Alpine lakes and views of Three Sisters mountains	Recreation Fee Site
Suttle Lake Loop Trail	20 minutes	Easy	Pleasant hike around a pretty lake	Recreation Fee Site
Scott Trail Glacier Way Trail Loop	50 minutes	Hard	Lush forests, great views, clear streams, lava flows	Central Cascades Wilderness Permit, Recreation Fee Site
Proxy Falls Trail Loop	1 hour	Easy	Two refreshing waterfalls	Free, self-issued at trailhead. Recreation Fee Site
Tamolitch Blue Pool	45 minutes	Easy	Stunning blue pool and falls	No
Koosah and Sahalie Falls	40 minutes	Easy	Powerful turquoise waterfalls	No

Hiking Sisters Oregon Map

Use this interactive map to see all the hikes near Sisters mentioned in this article. You can also expand this map to open it up in a new window.

Best Hikes Near Sisters Oregon

From mountain peaks, lava flows, and alpine meadows to pristine waterfalls, forests, and streams, there are so many great things to see while hiking near Sisters. 

In this section, we’ll cover the best hikes near Sisters and include helpful information for you when planning your visit!

Sisters is located close to lots of hiking trails! In fact, all of these hikes are within 1 hour of Sisters, making them doable for day hikes.

Of course, there are many great opportunities for backpacking in Central Oregon to enjoy a more immersive experience in the backcountry.

Tam McArthur Ridge Trail

Tam McArthur Ridge is a stunning hike up on the east side of Broken Top and the Three Sisters providing excellent views of all four peaks and the surrounding landscape. 

The Tam McArthur Ridge Tailhead starts at Three Creeks Lake and climbs up the ridge as the views improve and the trees become thin. The lake provides an excellent foreground for the mountains beyond and is a consistent feature in the visible landscape.

Overall, this is an excellent moderate hike near Sisters. It is about 5 miles long but can be extended an extra two miles or so one way to reach the icy No Name Lake, a crispy turquoise alpine lake perfect for a cold dip on a hot day.

Black Butte Trail

Black Butte Trail is a demanding yet rewarding hike 30 minutes north of Sisters. There are actually two variations of this trail. The short variation starts from part way up Black Butte, while the long variation starts near the base. 

Distance From Sisters: 30 minutes
Length: 4 miles (short version), 10 miles (long version)
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet (short version), 3,400 feet (long version)
Difficulty: Moderate (short version), difficult (long version)
Known for: Excellent views of Central Oregon landscape
Permit Required?: Yes, Recreation Fee Site
USFS Page: Link

The short variation is 4 miles with 1,500 feet elevation gain, and the long variation is 10 miles with 3,400 feet of elevation. Both routes have steep sections and are challenging, but reward hikers with excellent 360 degree views of Central Oregon and the Cascade Mountains.

Overall, this is a popular hike near Sisters in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Fun fact: locals say that when all the snow on Black Butte is melted (usually around Mother’s Day in May) it is time to plant crops outdoors.

Black Crater Trail

Black Crater Trail is a steep but rewarding hike about 30 minutes west of Sisters. The constant steep grade will have you sweating in no time as you begin in a burn zone and gain elevation through unburned forest to ultimately arrive at amazing views.

Distance From Sisters: 30 minutes
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet 
Difficulty: Challenging
Known for: Steep hike with rewarding views
Permit Required?: Free, self-issued at trailhead
USFS Page: Link

Black Crater is a rugged crater formed by glaciers that date back to the Ice Age. This trail is largely within a burn zone from the 2017 Milli Fire, which burned hot and affected over 24,000 acres of forest. 

Hiking through the burn zone is interesting, albeit a bit depressing. However, at the higher parts of this hike there are wildflowers and unburned, sparse trees. There may be snow patches on Black Crater into July depending on the year.

At the top, hikers can see amazing views of Broken Top, North Sisters, and Middle Sister to the south, as well as Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams (on a clear day) to the north.

Overall, Black Crater is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon getting a good workout and some nice views.

Belknap Crater From Old McKenzie Highway 

Belknap Crater is a rugged and exposed, 7 mile hike along the McKenzie Highway about 40 minutes from Sisters. Hikers can explore the bizarre lava flows and two shield volcanoes, Belknap Crater and Little Belknap Crater, dating back 3,000 to 1,500 years. 

Distance From Sisters: 40 minutes
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,830 feet 
Difficulty: Challenging
Known for: Rugged and exposed lava flows with unique views
Permit Required?: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
USFS Page: Link

Starting at the Pacific Crest Trailhead at McKenzie Pass, hikers follow the PCT through these lava fields, providing views of Cascade prominences like North and Middle Sister, Black Butte, and Mount Jefferson. 

A short detour leads hikers to the summit of Little Belknap Crater, offering more stunning vistas. For a higher viewpoint, hikers can ascend to the summit of Belknap Crater.

The hike features sharp, abrasive lava rocks, making it unsuitable for dogs. The craters were named after J.H. Belknap, who promoted the first toll road over McKenzie Pass. The trail passes through various vegetation, including huckleberry and pinemat manzanita. 

At the summit of Little Belknap Crater, you can explore collapsed lava tubes. On the higher summit of Belknap Crater, you can observe the main crater and enjoy sweeping views of the Cascade mountains, the McKenzie River valley, and the Old Cascades.

Chambers Lakes Basin Trail

Chambers Lakes Basin Trail begins at Pole Creek Trailhead 30 minutes west of Sisters. Hikers head southwest from the trailhead and ascend into the Chambers Lakes Basin in between Middle and South Sister.

Distance From Sisters: 30 minutes
Length: 16 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Known for: Alpine lakes and up close views of Three Sisters mountains
Permit Required?: Yes, Recreation Fee Site
USFS Page: Link

This version of the out and back trail is 8 miles one way, but that distance can be extended or reduced according to your goals. If you can, we recommend making it at least to Camp Lake (at around 7 miles one way).

This trail is exposed and the first 3.5 miles or so are in a burn area from the 2012 Pole Creek Fire. That said, the remainder is fairly green until rising above the treeline at around 7,000 feet.

Overall, this is a great longer day hike (and backpacking trip) that has a moderate grade and up-close views of the Three Sisters peaks.

Suttle Lake Loop Trail

Suttle Lake Loop is a pleasant 3.5 mile stroll around Suttle Lake, a medium sized lake that is surrounded by three lake-side campgrounds and Suttle Lodge (one of many great resorts in Central Oregon).

Distance From Sisters: 20 minutes
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Pleasant lakeside loop
Day Use Permit Required?: Yes, Recreation Fee Site
USGS Page: Link

The lake itself is easy to access off of Highway 20 and has a day use area with picnic tables and an excellent swimming beach. Suttle Lodge is close by and has a restaurant and watercraft rentals. 

The ease of access to these amenities make Suttle Lake a great spot to pair the hike with a few hours hanging at the lake.

Scott Trail Glacier Way Trail Loop

The Scott Trail Glacier Way Trail Loop is a challenging 14 mile loop about 50 minutes west of Sisters. This loop is a great all-around hike that has a bit of everything: nice mountain views, crisp streams, pleasant meadows, wildflowers, and unburned forests.

Distance From Sisters: 50 minutes
Length: 14 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,500
Difficulty: Challenging
Known for: Great all around longer hike with views, lava flows, meadows, and forests
Day Use Permit Required?: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit, Recreation Fee Site

The hike starts at Obsidian Trailhead and you can choose to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. There are several optional “add-ons” to this hike if you feel like doing some extra miles, including Spring Lake, Four in One Cone, or Collier Glacier.

Overall, this is a great longer day hike with a bit of everything and lots of lush, unburned forest and a great mixture of exposure and shade.

Waterfalls Near Sisters Oregon

Proxy Falls Trail Loop

Proxy Falls Trail Loop is around 2 miles long and is 1 hour from Sisters. There are actually two falls on this loop. Both are majestic and refreshing on a hot day.

Distance From Sisters: 1 hour
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal 
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Two great waterfalls
Permit Required?:  Recreation Fee Site
USFS Page: Link

The Proxy Falls Loop is a great hike for kids or to pair with another hike near Sisters to make a longer day. 

The lower falls require a bit of scrambling to access the bottom, but nothing too intense. You can still see the lower falls without doing the scramble. The upper falls are easier to access.

Tamolitch Blue Pool Via McKenzie River Trail

Blue Pool is a must-do hike in the Willamette National Forest. One of the most popular hikes in the area, this path follows one of the best sections of the Mckenzie River Trail, a longer hike. The main draw is Blue Pool itself which is absolutely stunning. 

Distance From Sisters: 45 minutes
Length: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Known for: Stunning blue water and crispy clean river
Permit Required?: No
USFS Page: Link

The hike to the stunning Blue Pool offers a rewarding and refreshing experience. The trail is approximately 4.5 miles round trip from the trailhead, with an additional 0.5 miles if you choose to reach the water’s edge. 

The first half of the hike takes you through peaceful old-growth forests with clear paths, while the second half becomes rocky and more challenging. Arriving early is recommended to secure parking, as the lot can fill up quickly. 

The hike is dog-friendly, but there are sharp rocks, so dog shoes are recommended. Water shoes are highly recommended if you plan to take a dip in the cold, exhilarating waters of the Blue Pool. 

Despite the crowds, the scenic beauty and vibrant blue pool make this moderate hike well worth it. Ensure you wear proper hiking shoes, carry plenty of water, and consider the moderate difficulty of the terrain, especially during the last rocky descent to the pool.

Koosah and Sahalie Falls Trail

The Koosah and Sahalie Falls Trail near Sisters, Oregon, offers a delightful and accessible adventure for Central Oregon hikers. Starting from the small parking lot with restrooms, the trailhead leads to the captivating Sahalie Falls, which can be heard from a distance due to its roaring cascade.

Distance From Sisters: 40 minutes
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Known for: Energetic waterfalls and a clear stream
Permit Required?: No
USFS Page: Link

The trail continues to Koosah Falls, making it a 2.5-mile round-trip hike through a well-maintained path with numerous vista points. The aqua blue water of the river, along with cool misty breezes through the forest, adds to the mesmerizing experience. 

While parking can be somewhat challenging during busy hours, the hike is suitable for families and kids, offering beautiful views of the falls and river throughout. Remember to bring water and bug spray, as well as downloaded maps in areas with limited network connectivity. 

Overall, this is a great hike on a hot day. These two powerful waterfalls promise a refreshing and dynamic hike that will captivate every visitor.

Bonus Hike: Smith Rock State Park

We decided to include Smith Rock State Park as a bonus only because you have probably heard of it already! Perhaps one of the most popular trails in Central Oregon, the Misery Ridge Loop is demanding and rewarding.

Distance From Sisters: 40 minutes
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Known for: Impressive rock formations and rock climbing
Permit Required?: Day Pass
Oregon State Parks Page: Link

This 3.5-mile loop has almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain and you will feel it. At the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding rock formations, the high desert, and the peaks of the Cascade Mountains.

This loop can be done clockwise and counterclockwise. Another plus is that you get to see lots of rock climbers. Smith Rock is one of the most popular sport climbing destinations in the Pacific Northwest. There are also lots of other hikes at Smith Rock State Park, though Misery Ridge should be the first on your to-do list.

Best Time of Year for Hiking in Central Oregon

Central Oregon offers a unique hiking experience throughout the year, with each season bringing its own set of advantages and considerations. Understanding the characteristics of each season will help you plan your hiking adventures accordingly.

Season	Characteristics	Advantages	Considerations
Spring	– Blooming wildflowers – Mild temperatures – Less crowded trails	– Vibrant landscapes – Tranquility – Ideal for photography	– Lingering snow at higher elevations – Potential trail closures – Mosquitos
Summer	– Warm and sunny weather – Snow-free trails – Long daylight hours	– Access to higher elevation trails – Breathtaking alpine views – Extended hiking time	– Peak tourist season (crowded trails) – Consider early start times for parking availability
Fall	– Colorful foliage – Comfortable temperatures – Quieter trails	– Stunning fall colors- Tranquility- Great for photography	– Unpredictable weather conditions – Check for trail closures – Cooler temperatures later in the season
Winter	– Snow-covered landscapes – Serene atmosphere – Potential for solitude	– Unique snowy scenery – Snowshoeing and winter hiking – Quieter trails	– Changing weather conditions – Dress appropriately in layers – Check trail conditions for safety

Other things to Consider When Hiking Near Sisters

The Central Oregon climate and landscape can be intense, rugged, and unforgiving. At the same time, it is precisely those qualities that lend to its beauty and appeal for many hikers. 

Prepare for the Weather

Central Oregon’s high desert climate can change up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit between the highs and the lows. This means a hot day can turn into a frigid night once the sun goes down. For this reason, we recommend bringing extra layers even during a hot summer day. 

Bring Extra Water

Just bring extra water on your hike. The hot dry summer days can be no joke and will dehydrate you quickly. Don’t get caught out on a hot dusty trail without enough water! A water filter is also a good idea for longer hikes.

Get a Permit (If Needed)

Many hikes require a permit, not only for parking at the trailheads but also for hiking the trail itself. Recently, a Day Use Central Oregon Cascade Wilderness Permit is required for day hiking in many areas. Many trailheads are a  Recreation Fee Site which requires a 5$ day pass or other qualifying permit.

Conclusion

We hoped you found this guide to hiking Sisters Oregon helpful. These hikes near Sisters are truly spectacular and are worth adding to the todo list.

Interested in learning more about hiking in Central Oregon? Check out our full guide to hiking in Central Oregon and the best day hikes near Bend.

We try to provide high value content to help you explore Central Oregon, a wonderful corner of the world we call home. Don’t miss our other articles about Central Oregon.