Jefferson Park and Mount Jefferson. Russell Lake in the foreground (Lynn Wunische)

View over Scout Lake to Park Butte, Jefferson Park (bobcat)

Forest Service flier showing where you can camp

• Hikes to this location:
  • Jefferson Park via Park Ridge Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Jefferson Park from South Breitenbush Trailhead Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Jefferson Park from Whitewater Trailhead Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 44.71005, -121.80559
• Elevation: 5900 feet

Description

Jefferson Park is a large, relatively flat plain on the north side of Mount Jefferson. Several lakes dot the area, including Scout Lake, Bays Lake and Russell Lake. The Park is a very popular destination on a nice summer or early fall weekend. In 2016, the Willamette National Forest started requiring backpackers to acquire a permit in advance to stay overnight in Jefferson Park. Permits may be obtained from Recreation.gov.

There are three standard access routes to Jefferson Park. The shorter, easier, and the most popular access is via Whitewater Trailhead from the west. It is also a somewhat less scenic approach than the other two, but the access road is good enough even for passenger cars. The most challenging (and the least crowded) approach is from the northwest beginning at the South Breitenbush Trailhead. The most scenic trail to the area starts from the Breitenbush Lake Trailhead due north; however, the access road to it is very rough.

More Links

• Bays, Park, Rock and Scout Lakes Vicinity campsites (USFS)
• Jefferson Park Area - Mt. Jefferson Wilderness (USFS)

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)
• romann