Lower Metolius Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 44.6131, -121.4643
- Elevation: 2140 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 3 hours
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Lower Metolius River Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Hikes ending here
- Middle Metolius River Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Description
From Portland, take Highway 26, passing through Government Camp, to Madras, about 120 miles from Portland. In the winter, if the passes are too snowy, you could take I-84 to The Dalles, then highway 197 south to Madras (actually, 197 joins with 97 a little before Madras). It's about 90 miles to The Dalles and another 90 miles to Madras.
In Madras, follow the signs to Cove Palisades State park, about 11 miles.
Keep going on the paved road, on bridges across the Crooked River and Deschutes River arms of Lake Billy Chinook. The Deschutes River bridge is 17 miles from Madras.
Keep going on the paved road. There are a couple of right angle turns - stay on the paved road. Follow signs to Perry South Campground.
Twenty-nine miles from Madras the paved road ends. The gravel road is wide enough for two vehicles and is fairly good, drivable by regular passenger vehicles.
Perry South Campground is 32 miles from Madras. This is open year-round (although there are no services in winter). There are several outhouses and a boat ramp. This campground is very busy in the summer. In the off-season, the campground is large enough you can get probably get away from anyone else if there are a few other people here.
Beyond Perry South Campground, the road gets a little worse - potholes and stream channels.
The winter gate is 35 miles from Madras. There's a wide place to turn around and park a few vehicles.
Monty Campground is 37 miles from Madras. This was recently renovated. There are 12 campsites and an outhouse.
There's a gate just beyond Monty Campground that prevents vehicles beyond here in the summer.