Badger Lake Trail #479A is a short walk along part of the shore of Badger Lake and a doorway into the Badger Creek Wilderness. The lake is a fishing spot, and Badger Lake Campground, where the trail starts, has restrooms.
The maintained trail leaves Forest Road 140 at the lake’s northeast end and stops after 0.4 mile, so it doesn’t circle the lake. A lightly used path continues around the south shore, by several dispersed campsites, and links back up with the maintained trail along the west shore after about a mile. From there it’s 0.3 mile to Badger Creek Trail #479, a longer route favored by backpackers. The drive in is rough; a high-clearance vehicle is advised.
Trail map & elevation
Connects to: Divide Trail #458
More about the Badger Creek Wilderness and its trails →
Line: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), because this trail is missing from the Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Community-mapped lines can be off or incomplete; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Fishing
Getting there
From Sandy, OR
- travel 31 miles east on US Hwy 26 to the intersection with Oregon Hwy 35.
- Turn north onto Oregon Hwy 35 and travel 4 miles and turn right, approximately 150 feet before milepost 62, on White River Road (Forest Road 48).
- Follow White River Road for 14 miles to Forest Road 4860.
- Turn north on Forest Road 4860 and follow it 7.8 miles to the junction with Forest Road 140.
- Turn right on Forest Road 140 and follow it 4 miles to it to the parking area at Badger Lake Campground.
From the Forest Service
Good to know
Restroom facilities are available at Badger Lake Campground.
Vehicle travel is very difficult. Only high clearance vehicles are advised to attempt travel to the lake.
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness regulations apply.
Ranger office
Barlow Ranger District
Address: 780 NE Court St Dufur, OR 97021
Phone: 541-467-5100
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Divide Trail #458
15.4 mi round trip
4,865 ft
Very hard
Badger Creek Trail #479
24.4 mi round trip
4,625 ft
Very hard
Camp Windy Trail #685B
2 mi round trip
388 ft
Easy
Jean Lake Trail #680
0.6 mi round trip
249 ft
Easy
Gunsight Butte Trail #685
10 mi round trip
2,058 ft
Very hard
Three Mile Trail #466
8.8 mi round trip
1,378 ft
Hard
Pine Creek Trail #465
3.8 mi round trip
1,341 ft
Hard
Meadows Creek Tie Trail
2.2 mi round trip
196 ft
Gumjuwac Trail #480
9 mi round trip
3,225 ft
Very hard
Boulder Lake Trail #463
5.4 mi round trip
1,345 ft
Hard
Boulder Lakeshore Trail #463B
1 mi round trip
222 ft
Easy
Little Boulder Trail #463A
1 mi round trip
178 ft
Easy