Fort Rock Loop is a 1.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Silver Lake, Oregon that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
trail running
walking
views
A short interpretive loop hike around the inside of the volcanic tuff ring of the Fort Rock State Natural Area. This volcanic rock formation was formed 50,000 to 100,000 years ago as lava rose to the surface under an ancient sea. Over time after the rock solidified waves crashing against the southeast side of the volcanic tuff rim wore it away leaving you an entrance to explore!
Hiked around the outside and then scrambled up the rocks inside. Beautiful views.
Incredible hike! WELL WORTH the trip out to it, Fort Rock is definitely a unique hike. Fort Rock is also in the middle of pretty much no where; except for a small (and I mean small) town a few miles away from the rock. Climbing to the summit was quite easy, I was expecting it to be a lot more difficult ( beware of the wind at the top!) As for the actual hiking path, its visible in some areas and not so much in others, which wasn't a big deal considering visibility was very clear in every direction. All in all great hike!
Amazing! I've been wanting to visit Fort Rock for a few years now and finally made the trip. It was completely worth it and even better than I expected. We hiked around the exterior first. The trail is well established in some places and non-existent in other places. However it was easy enough to hike through the sagebrush when the trail disappeared and keep on track. Hiking around the outside of the formation was great. We could really see the rock up close and there was evidence that cows and other animals had taken shelter at the base of the rock. Since we were there in the winter, the wind was cold and fierce at times, coming in blasts across the open desert. But it made for amazing sound effects against the rock face. I've always loved the sound of the wind in the trees, but never heard it hum and moan against rock like it did on the north side of Fort Rock. So cool! As you complete the exterior trail, it leads right into the interior trail. We hiked to several of the view points to amazing views of the desert below. The wind was a bit less intense in the inside of the formation, but still gusty. The trail on the interior is by far better established and easier to hike. However, I enjoyed the rawness of the exterior trail better. All in all though, this is a beautiful and significant place to visit. I wish there had been a bit more information provided at the trail head regarding the rich history and amazing geology of this place. It's worth researching once you're back home and adds a lot of meaning to the experience.
Easy and beautiful trail, bring plenty of water.
I took the loop trail around the interior of the rock plus a side trip up to the small lookout that has a great view of the cave where, in 1938, human relics were discovered that were dated over 9000 years ago. The rock formations are spectacular and the trail easy to navigate. There were very few people out here today and we practically had the place to ourselves. Bad weather probably had something to do with that but it didn't slow us down.