Elk Creek

The Elk Creek Trail is 10 miles out and back on “kinda maintained” asphalt “kinda next to” Elk Creek with an occasional access trail down to secret swimming holes!

Driving

– The Elk Creek Trail is about a 45 minute drive from Interstate 5. Take exit 33 and turn towards Crater Lake on Crater Lake Highway (Route 62). Take the new expressway along the airport and away from those dumb stores and their dumb traffic. You will meet back with Crater Lake Highway (Route 62) and turn left towards Crater Lake. Cruise for 20 minutes through some mixed log-pile, farm, & weed landscape and at Shady Cove you will cross the Rogue River. About 10 minutes later, just before the dam and the fish hatchery keep your eyes open for Elk Creek Road just before the Elk Creek Campground where you will turn left.

You will drive for a couple miles through a farmy, rural area and look to your right for the Elk Creek sign. It looks like a state facilities sign more than a trail sign but trust me. Drive down that road for less than a mile to it’s end where you will see a classic trailhead and bathroom facilities.

Parking

– Plenty of dirt trailhead parking even if some knucklehead parks their truck and trailer directly in the middle (as they did last time I was there FYI)

The Trail

– Trails signs and a bridge start off this trail. Crazy obvious trailhead. This used to be a paved road that cars drove on along the creek when the state was building a dam (slightly downstream from the trailhead and still visible and partially built) that they then abandoned. So… it’s not a nature trail! It’s asphalt. It’s a great bike ride or dog walk. I mean, lot’s of trees and nature and views but… asphalt.

So I’m riding my bike and in 3/4 mile there is a little dirt trail off towards the creek. Take it to the right and splash around if it’s a hot day or, you are a dog. Enough of that. Continue along the asphalt trail and the views of local hills across local fields are locally great. Just know that you are not going to be along the river. Mostly won’t even see it.

However at the 3.5 to 4 mile point there is a field with a dirt farm road around it and that road goes to the river. Take it. It’s 1/4 mile in total but it runs along the best part of Elk Creek. There are at least 3 great swimming holes that have been well used for years. Plan on stopping here. Lunch. Swim. If you are a dog, do dog stuff.

After a quick nap, ride another mile up to the upper parking area, use the vault toilets, and turns around. Go back. 10 miles. Boom!