Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to take a hike. Grab your snowshoes, and head to one of Oregon’s most iconic lakes for a loop trail hike that’s a winter wonderland adventure. It is also a perfect spot for snowshoeing in Oregon.

Editor’s Note: The road to the trailhead is often closed due to snowy conditions, which adds an extra two miles to the length of the hike. You can expect some road closures from December 1 through April 1 each year due to weather.

Trillium Lake is one of Oregon's most photographed gems. It's located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, just 7.5 miles southwest of the Beaver State's most iconic mountain.
thyegn / iStock via Getty Images
On a clear day, the reflection of Mt. Hood on the still water and the lake that's enveloped by a circle of pines is so picturesque that photographers come from all over the world to capture the sight.
Bryan Smith / Alltrails
The views of this popular spot change once the lake freezes over, but it's every bit as beautiful. This hike is so popular that the trail is often crowded, but you'll find fewer people here during winter months, especially if you can hike early on a weekday.
freebilly / iStock via Getty Images

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To explore the area, dress in layers, lace up your warm snow boots and strap on your snowshoes. The 1.9-mile loop trail awaits!
Martyk74 / Tripadvisor
Hike through snow-covered pines on this flat trail that's rated as easy. It's a great adventure for anyone who enjoys breathing in fresh, clean air while exploring a snowy landscape.
Zhili Zhu / Alltrails
Keep an eye out for winter wildlife. Though the scenery may seem quiet and still, it's teeming with local residents, from tiny songbirds to squirrels and deer.
Diana Vitoshka / 500Px Plus/via GettyImages
It's a winter wonderland here! During your hike, remember to practice the Leave No Trace Principles, which include being mindful of others around you who are trying to enjoy the peaceful landscape.
Amber Notter / Alltrails
Other principles that pertain to this trail include: respecting wildlife, leaving what you find, staying on the trail, packing out your trash, and planning properly.

Let's go for a winter hike at the beautiful Trillium Lake in this video from Brian Bear Butler:

Have you hiked or snowshoed the Trillium Lake Loop Trail in winter? Tell our readers about your favorite places to go snowshoeing in Oregon in the comments!

If you’re looking for more snowy fun this season, head to Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno Park in the Deschutes National Forest.

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More to Explore

Winter Activities In Oregon

Chris Muras | January 16, 2024

What are some winter activities in Oregon?
Winter in Oregon is incredibly beautiful with snow-covered mountains, frozen waterfalls, and amazing hiking trails. Here are a few winter activities in Oregon besides your typical ski trip:

  • Go dogsledding on Mount Bachelor: The Mount Bachelor area is a breathtaking stretch of wilderness and thanks to Oregon Trail of Dreams you can enjoy it in a way that very few can claim. By dogsled. You can choose to go on a beautiful 1-hour trek or an epic 26-mile excursion that leads you to Elk Lake for a stop for lunch. Either one is a memorable experience that you will remember forever.
  • Hike to a frozen waterfall: Oregon has many incredible waterfalls that draw crowds from all over the world. One way to beat those crowds is by going on winter hikes in Oregon. Each of these beautiful waterfalls freezes over to some degree in the winter. The stunning frozen features of the likes of Salt Creek Falls, Elowah Falls, and Horsetail Falls are a must-see at least once in your life.
  • Explore an icy Crater Lake: Crater Lake is one of the most iconic lakes in the nation, and for good reason - it is incredibly beautiful. If you haven't seen it in the winter it is one of the most stunning frozen lakes in Oregon when the landscape is covered in several dozen feet of snow. Even during the coldest of winters in Oregon, Crater Lake rarely freezes completely over because it is so deep. The last time there was a complete freeze was in 1949.

There is so much more to do in Oregon during the winter. Here are even more winter activity ideas for you to try out the next time you come for a visit. If you want to check out another epic waterfall in Oregon, take this Mount Hood day trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls.

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Trillium Lake, Oregon 97028, USA