This Hike in Oregon Is 100% Worth Braving the Cold

One of my favorite things to do in Oregon is to hike. I love exploring the natural beauty found in the Beaver State — I fell in love with Oregon on my very first visit. While many hikes are on my bucket list during the warmer months of the year, the Rosary Lakes Trail in the Deschutes National Forest is a favorite in the winter. Grab your snowshoes, put on your wool socks and warm jackets, and hit the trail after the snow has fallen and the entire area transforms into a wonderland. Believe me, this is a winter hike in Oregon that is absolutely worth the cold.

The Deschutes National Forest is home to many beautiful lakes and incredible hiking trails. However, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Rosary Lake Trail may be one of our favorites in the area and one that is quite spectacular (and inspiring!) during the winter months.

The start of this trail is located near Odell Lake, north of Crater Lake National Park. You will find the trailhead at a parking area just off State Highway 58, near West Bay Road north of the lake. This trail is part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000, and a Sno-Park permit is required for parking.

This trail is quite spectacular as it leads you to three beautiful lakes — Lower Rosary Lake, Middle Rosary Lake, and Upper Rosary Lake. In total, the trail is seven miles, but if you don’t want to venture that far in the winter weather and snowy landscapes, you can simply hike to the lower lake and turn around.

In the summer, this trail is quite popular, but in the winter, it’s where you can find some peace and quiet in nature. You likely won’t pass many other hikers along your way, and it’s a wonderful place to soak in the beauty, meditate, and just enjoy some of Mother Nature’s greatest creations.

Depending on your timing, you may get away with hiking boots and microspikes to keep you upright on the icy areas of the trail. However, if snow has fallen, you’ll want to grab your snowshoes and go on a snowshoe adventure. The first few miles of your journey will be through beautiful forests with branches weighed down by the heaviness of the snow. But there's nothing quite like the view of the snowy lakes.

Lower Rosary Lake is the largest of the three lakes. There are some steep inclines to reach the water, and these inclines can be icy — come prepared! If you have the endurance, stamina, and drive, Middle and Upper Rosary Lakes are only about 0.5 miles farther up the trail.

Due to some of the challenges of this snowshoe adventure, we recommend this trail for individuals with experience with snowshoeing. This is certainly a trail that is going to test you in a few different ways. However, it is also one that is 100 percent worth braving the cold. It’s a winter adventure you’ll never forget.

If you're headed to Oregon for this winter getaway, be sure to also check out our itinerary planner. There, you can find personalized recommendations on what to do in the area to make your stay even more memorable.