Ever since I was about halfway through my trek of the Oregon PCT, I’ve wanted to write my own guide for it. Some of these places I camped at, others I wished I had camped at. I would consider this a moderate pace for the trail; about 12 – 19 miles per day for 30 days (the record is crossing Oregon in 11 days). Keep in mind though, one of my favorite things about hiking/backpacking is that anyone can do it; you just need to go at your own pace!
Read my article, Backpacking Essentials, on what to pack for the PCT. This deserves to be mentioned here too… download the app, Guthook! I didn’t have it until about a week in, and it would have saved me from getting lost. It’s not free ($6.99 for the Oregon section), but it is well worth it!
The official starting point of the Oregon PCT is in the Siskiyou Mountains at Donomore Pass, which isn’t an easy access point. I would recommend starting at Siskiyou Pass where the PCT crosses I5/Callahan’s Lodge. I think it’s helpful to camp the night before you actually start the trek, that way you can hit the trail early in the morning, and Callahan’s is a great place to camp your first night.
Day 1: Callahan’s Lodge – Hobart Bluff Trailhead (12.1 miles)
This goes against everything I believe about trying to camp by a lake or stream (some sort of water), but I think it is important to not be too ambitious for your first day. There is nothing really special about this campsite, but it’s flat.
Day 2: Hobart Bluff Trailhead – Hyatt Lake (11.3 miles)
Hyatt Lake Campground has several PCT camp spots on the west side of the campground, as well as some walk-in sites in the center of the camp. If you’re up for going a bit further, you could camp at Wildcat Campground (about 3 miles past Hyatt Lake CG, making for a ~14 mile day).
Day 3: Hyatt Lake to Burton Flat Rd (16.9 miles or 13.9 depending on where you camp at Hyatt Lake)
Make sure to have lunch or take a good break near Howard Prairie Lake. The campsites just before Burton Flat Rd aren’t great, but they’re flat and make a good stopping point for the day. If you’re up for another 3.7 miles, you can continue to Brown Mountain Shelter.
Day 4: Burton Flat Rd to Fish Lake (14.2 miles)
Here comes the change in scenery: This is where the Oregon PCT starts to get beautiful in my opinion! It’s worth hiking in to Fish Lake Hiker Camp for the night, even though it’s an extra ~mile. Tadpole Cafe offers a variety of food and you can get a hot shower for the first time in four days! You can also pick up resupply packages here.
Day 5: Fish Lake to Island Lake (13.6 miles)
Be careful not to end up on the Mount McLoughlin Trail (which is why the Guthook app can be so helpful). The Sky Lakes Wilderness can also be full of mosquitos, so be prepared (Backpacking Essentials blog).
Day 6: Island Lake to Seven Lakes Basin (14 miles)
You’ll have the option of staying on the official PCT, or you can veer onto the Sky Lakes Trail and go by more lakes/water sources (this will add several miles to your day, but more water options might be better especially in a dry year). You won’t actually camp at a lake here, but rather two creeks.
Day 7: Seven Lakes Basin to Mazama Village (19.9 miles)
This is a long day, but I think at this point you can do it! Mazama Village offers a large campground, and the Annie Creek Restaurant serves some hearty meals. There are also showers and laundry facilities – which is a nice break from rinsing off in cool lakes/streams. Pick up resupply packages here.
Day 8: Mazama Village to Grouse Hill via Rim Trail (12.6 miles)
I would HIGHLY recommend taking the Rim Trail; the views of Crater Lake are well worth it, and it saves you 5 miles. Double win in my book!
Day 9: Grouse Hill to Thielsen Creek (17.3 miles)
You’ll come across some snow near Mt. Thielsen; the snow and wildflowers make for some beautiful views! It’s another longer day, but ending near water is so important.
Day 10: Thielsel Creek to Maidu Lake (10.1 miles)
You’ll cross the highest point on the PCT for Oregon and Washington during this section at Tipsoo Pass (7560′). Maidu Lake is a beautiful spot to camp for the night!
Day 11: Maidu Lake to Windigo Pass (13 miles)
This is a pretty dry stretch, so make sure to leave Maidu Lake feeling hydrated and with lots of water. Six Horse Spring is the only water source along this 13 miles, and it’s a steep climb. Trail Angel’s often leave water at Windigo Pass, but otherwise the next day is also a dry stretch.
Day 12: Windigo Pass to Crescent Lake (9 miles)
This is an alternate route via the Oregon Skyline Trail, but has more water sources which can be really important if it’s a hot, dry summer. I recommend camping at Whitefish Horse Camp – camp hosts are amazing and there is clean water and stocked pit toilets.
Day 13: Crescent Lake to Shelter Cove Resort (11.1 miles)
Diamond View Lake is a great spot to have lunch or some snacks. If you can, I would highly suggest booking a cabin at Shelter Cove Resort – you’re almost to the halfway point and Shelter Cove Resort is truly amazing! I would also recommend taking a Zero Day at the resort (a zero day means a day where you don’t do any hiking). The resort is very hiker friendly, the food is delicious and well priced. There are showers and laundry available, even if you don’t book a cabin. This is also a great place to pick up a resupply package. Depending on availability and your budget, you can either book a cabin for one or two nights. A bed feels SO good at this point.
Day 14: Zero Day at Shelter Cove Resort/Odell Lake.
Enjoy!
Day 15: Shelter Cove Resort to Bobby Lake (9.5 miles)
If you can find someone leaving Shelter Cove in the morning, it’s great to catch a ride out back up to the PCT at Willamette Pass (it’s a steep climb out of Odell Lake). You’ll pass Lower Rosary, Middle and North Rosary Lakes fairly early on, but any of them make a great stopping point for some snacks. Bobby Lake Campground makes a great campsite right near the water.
Day 16: Bobby Lake to Irish Lake (13 miles)
You’ll cross the halfway point of the Oregon PCT near The Twins Trail today. Charlton Lake is also a nice spot to stop for lunch.
Day 17: Irish Lake to Dumbbell Lake (16.6 miles)
There are several good stopping places today; Brahma Lake, Stormy Lake, Mac Lake and other bodies of water make for a beautiful day. Camping at Dumbbell Lake though, is a must! There is a peninsula that makes for some breathtaking views. You are not supposed to camp on the peninsula, although you can see that many people do; my recommendation is to camp up by the shore, and just to spend time out on the peninsula.
Day 18: Dumbbell Lake to Elk Lake (6.7 miles)
This is an easy day! I think spending some time at Elk Lake Resort is great, but not worth a full Zero Day. Here you can get a shot shower as well as a variety of different meals (although overpriced and not as good as Shelter Cove Resort). It’s also a great place to pick up a resupply package.
Day 19: Elk Lake to Reese Lake (14 miles)
Stop for some snacks at Sisters Mirror Lake. Reese Lake offers some beautiful views of the South Sister! The Three Sisters Wilderness is my favorite part of the Oregon PCT; truly stunning, even though the lava rocks do make for some difficult sections.
Day 20: Reese Lake to McKenzie Pass (17.6 miles)
You’ll pass through Obsidian Limited Entry Area (you can’t camp in here unless you have a pass). Stopping at Obsidian Falls for a snack is beautiful and worthwhile though. Camping just north of McKenzie Pass isn’t a great spot, but there are usually jugs of water thanks to Trail Angel’s. Shortly after here you'll walk through lava rocks as far as the eyes can see.
Day 21: McKenzie Pass to Big Lake Youth Camp (12.5 miles)
Big Lake Youth Camp is known for their hospitality towards hikers! My dad used to work there in the summers of ’76 and ’77, and has fond memories of hikers coming through. They now have their own PCT Lodge, where you can do your laundry, get a hot shower and meal, and pick up a resupply box. Highly, highly recommend!
Day 22: Big Lake Youth Camp to Rockpile Lake (19.5 miles)
This is another long day, but after getting some rest at Big Lake, you should be fine! This is another dry stretch, so make sure to leave Big Lake hydrated and full of water.
Day 23: Rockpile Lake to Scout Lake (18.6 miles)
You’ll have some incredible views of Mount Jefferson today! Scout Lake is a great place to take a little swim and cool off for the evening.
Day 24: Scout Lake to Olallie Lake Resort (12.5 miles)
Here you’ll cross from the Willamette National Forest and Mount Jefferson Wilderness into the Mount Hood National Forest. Olallie Lake offers a small general store, but there are no showers or laundry, and they don’t hold resupply packages. However, they do have several cabins if you’re interested in trying to book one for a night in a bed!
Day 25: Olallie Lake to Warm Springs River (18.9 miles)
The northern side of the river has nicer camping areas with flat tent space, a community fire pit, and log benches.
Day 26: Warm Springs to Timothy Lake North (13.2 miles)
I think camping on the northern end of Timothy Lake is better than the south, and it sets you up better for your next day to Timberline Lodge. If you’re going through Timothy Lake on a weekend, be prepared for lots of people and noise.
Day 27: Timothy Lake North to Timberline Lodge (18.7 miles)
A cold drink awaits you at Ram’s Head Bar! You’ll camp just north of the actual lodge, unless you book a room (they’re pricy and fill up quickly). The breakfast buffet at Timberline is also great – you’ll need the energy for the rollercoaster that you’re about to go on!
Day 28: Timberline Lodge to Lolo Pass (17.2 miles)
I highly recommend taking a small detour through Ramona Falls (it’s only 0.4 miles off the PCT and then reconnects so you don’t have to backtrack). There isn’t anything special about camping near Lolo Pass, but there is often Trail Magic left by Trail Angel’s.
Day 29: Lolo Pass to Indian Springs Campground (9.2 miles)
If the Eagle Creek Trail (ECT) is open, it’s a great alternative to the PCT for this last leg. If it’s not open, you’ll want to hike another 2.7 miles to Wahtum Lake to camp for the night.
Day 30: Indian Spring Campground to Cascade Locks via ECT (15.5 miles) OR Wahtum Lake to Cascade Locks via PCT (16.7 miles)
You’ve been hiking for a whole month and you’re just about done! You’ll lose a lot of elevation today, so your legs might be wrecked – even though you’re now in pretty dang good shape. You’ll definitely want to finish your trek by crossing Bridge of the Gods (it makes for some great photo ops). Then go back to Wanapa Street and enjoy a beer/soda, burger, or whatever tasty refreshments are calling your name.
Congratulations, you did it!
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