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 running and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
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!
There is a parking lot, picnic tables, bathrooms, and a trailer that houses a host during business hours.
From Bend, Oregon head south on highway 97 approximately 28 miles and turn left onto highway 31. At milepost 29 turn left at the well marked signs to Fort Rock. Turn left at the sign inside the town of Fort Rock. Then turn left again at the sign to the park.
January 18, 2021September 21, 2020Very cool! Very easy! Had the place to ourselves during COVID.
September 20, 2020This is a fairly easy trail after the initial short climb from the parking lot into the crater. My wife and I did this in the morning on a summer day to beat the heat. Trust me, this trail is a must see.. It feels like being on another planet.
September 7, 2020August 31, 2020August 29, 2020August 23, 2020Life on Mars... exists in the USA
August 23, 2020The trail is really quick and easy and would be a breeze for more experienced hikers, but the views from around Fort Rock make it a very unique experience!
August 11, 2020I look forward to returning here someday! I found a three inch long obsidian arrowhead! It was fully intact except for the very-very tip (2 mm I'd guess.) The kids had fun exploring all along the sandy paths and scrambling up the rough rocky outcroppings . We enjoyed discussing how the pioneers and natives survived in the land, climate, and time-period. We visited in August 2020. Late summer was hot and dry, Remember to bring water and a hat!
June 18, 2020Awesome short hike that was fun and was easy- this is a really cool place to check out!
May 6, 2020East trail, great view
December 31, 2019Awesome short hike!
August 27, 2019I rented a house in Christmas Valley which made it a short drive to this trail. We got there about 9am in the month of July. It was perfect temperature, not too hot. We were the first ones there. We hiked the loop inside of the fort. We walked along the edge on the outside a bit. I want to go back and hike the outside of the fort. This is a great hike. Very unique.
August 17, 2019Back side of Fort rock..... This year we decided to do around the back side. Not for the faint of heart. Most the trail was not there, majorly overgrown. Had to hop two fences. But we did it. Make sure to wear long pants, sticker bushes hurt. It shows there is a trail on the parks web page.
May 25, 2019If you are able to do some rock climbing you will be treated with some magificent views. The wild flowers are starting to bloom.
May 7, 2019Definitely not easy when it's hot out!
April 7, 2019Nice short loop close to Bend. Very panoramic.
September 4, 2018I just love Fort Rock. If you visit in late May, all the flowers are in bloom. The yellow ones smell like cinnamon and licorice. You can hear people talking from half a mile away, and when you look down at the rocks, you’ll notice they have a bubbly texture. Left over from the volcano that exploded there 50,000-100,000 years ago. Before I hiked, I stopped at a diner right before the road to Fort Rock. They made me a BLT and wrapped it up like it was homemade and gave me a bag of chips, too. Sitting on the rim of this magnificent sight, eating a sandwich, and smelling the flowers made it all so much better.
September 3, 2018Great walk around, couple lose gravel spot but not bad, lots of dead rodents body’s from birds around the edges, there are some rabbits around so if you bring your dog be careful your dog does not pull you and chase them
May 29, 2018Hiked around the outside and then scrambled up the rocks inside. Beautiful views.
February 25, 2018Incredible 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!
December 5, 2017Amazing! 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.
August 6, 2017Easy and beautiful trail, bring plenty of water.
May 5, 2014
First to ReviewI 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.
