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Trail

Barlow Trail #601A

A rocky, primitive piece of the historic Barlow Road linking Still Creek Campground and Government Camp, with traces of a 1920s mineral springs resort.

Representative photo, not this exact spot. Photo: Sanmane via Pexels ยท Pexels License

Wagons and livestock once moved along this route, part of the historic Barlow Road and one of the final stretches of the Oregon Trail. Barlow Trail #601A links Still Creek Campground with Government Camp, just off US Highway 26.

To protect that history, the trail is kept more primitive than others nearby, so expect a rocky, ditch-like path that probably looks much as it did in the 1850s. Near Still Creek Campground, watch the woods off the trail for old foundations and fireplace bricks left from Swim Mineral Springs, a resort that operated in the 1920s. At Government Camp, the trail starts beyond the State Highway Department lot across from Timberline Road.

Trail map & elevation

Length0.7 mi one way
Climb16 ft up, 202 ft down
Elevation3,767 to 3,971 ft
DifficultyEasy
3,7003,8504,0000 mi0.7 mi
Elevation (ft) along the trail
Download GPX Directions to the start
Trail class
Class 3 of 5
Typical grade
10-12%
Surface
Native material
Tread width
18-24 inches
Ranger district
Zigzag

Connects to: Hemlock Trail #691A, Summit Trail #691

Line, length and trail class: U.S. 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. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.

Getting there

  1. To access the EAST end from Portland- take U.S. Hwy 26 ~29.5 miles east of Sandy towards Government Camp and turn right (south) on Still Creek Campground Road (Forest Road 2650).
  2. Drive 0.3 miles south into the campground and parking area.
  3. The trailhead is located on the western leg of campground loop.
  4. Parking and trailhead are on the west side of the road.
  5. Vehicles are not allowed access to the campground during the winter season.
  6. To access the WEST end from Portland- take U.S. Hwy 26 east towards of Government Camp.
  7. Travel 29.2 miles east of Sandy and turn right (south) into the State Highway Department (across from Timberline Road).
  8. Follow the access trail at the west end of the parking lot into summit compound (a collection of forest service buildings) to the junction with the west end of the Barlow Trail #601A and the east end of Hemlock #691A.

From the Forest Service

Passes and permits

State of Oregon Sno-Park permit required November 1 through April 30 at trailhead on US 26.

Details from the official Forest Service page, a public-domain U.S. government source.

Trails nearby

Hemlock Trail #691A 1.4 mi round trip 170 ft Summit Trail #691 4 mi round trip 430 ft Moderate Crosstown Trail #755 5.4 mi round trip 618 ft Moderate Yellowjacket Trail 10.8 mi round trip 1,317 ft Alpine Trail 4.2 mi round trip 1,424 ft White Away Trail 1.8 mi round trip 292 ft Camp Creek Loop Trail #754 2.4 mi round trip 414 ft Easy Glade Trail #661 5.4 mi round trip 1,920 ft Snowbunny Trail 3.6 mi round trip 567 ft Timberline to Town Trail #756 9.8 mi round trip 1,851 ft Hard Still Creek Road Trail 24.8 mi round trip 2,653 ft Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761 1.8 mi loop 11 ft Easy

History

The Barlow Road 1845 to 1919 How Government Camp Got Its Name 1849 to 1937

Last checked November 4, 2026