Hiking

From short easy hikes to one with a backpack, there are lots of trails to choose from in the Prospect Ranger District. The scenery in the Upper Rogue region is spectacular! From its headwaters at Boundary Springs, just inside Crater Lake National Park, to its exit from the District near the Ranger Station, the Upper Rogue River has been designated a Wild and Scenic River. Sculpting its path through the volcanic landscape created by the Cascade Range and the eruption of Mt. Mazama, the landscape offers examples of nearly vertical incised pumice canyons, remnant cores of an ancient volcano now known as Rabbit Ears, and a lava tube arching across the entire Rogue River at Natural Bridge. Waterfalls are abundant on the District, with easy access from the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway to trailheads leading to National Creek Falls and Muir Creek Falls. The 48 mile long Upper Rogue National Recreation Trail generally follows the river along its course through the District, and can be accessed at several locations, including directly from the Crater Lake RV Park!. This trail is particularly wondrous in the fall as the brilliant reds and golds of vine maple, dogwood and alder contrast with the green of the conifers.

Just 3/4 mile from Crater Lake RV Park in the village of Prospect is a short trail to Pearsony Falls, an enchanting little waterfall right in town! Just 1.4 miles from the Park, again in Prospect, is the trailhead to Mill Creek Falls and Barr Creek Falls. The trail is only 0.4 miles on the ridge and well worth the short hike. For more adventurous hikers a trail from the same starting point goes to the bottom of the gorge at the Avenue of Giant Boulders, but be forewarned, it’s “huff-n-puff” coming back up!

A few short miles up the highway is the trail to Natural Bridge, where the Rogue River completely disappears underground into a lava tube and re-emerges at the other end! The trail is paved and handicap accessible from a paved parking lot less than a mile from Hwy 62.

Just 11 miles from Crater Lake RV Park at Union Creek is the Rogue Gorge Viewpoint. This awesome spot is where the Rogue River passes through a collapsed lava tube for a quarter mile of white water! There is a level paved trail along the gorge with a safety handrail providing a spectacular view down into the chasm. A must see stop on your way to or from Crater Lake.