Name: Green Lakes
Rating: 4.6

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail requires a Central Cascade Wilderness day or overnight permit. There is a limited number of these and are released in 10, 2, and 7 day rolling windows, respectively.

Overview

Come experience an amazing hike with great views. This trail can be crowded, especially when the horses come out. Thankfully, there's a large parking lot to accommodate the high traffic.

Need to Know

• From June 15 to October 15, this hike requires a Central Cascades Wilderness Day Use Permit, available at recreation.gov.
• $5 day use parking fee applies, or use the annual Northwest Forest Pass if you have it.
• This hike is popular for equestrians.
• You can camp at the lakes except for in areas up there designated as "Day Use Only".

Description

This trail is used as a good starting point for many other trails in the area, and you can branch off at a few points or go all the way to the lake. You are able to camp at the lake, however it is first-come-first-served.

This trail is very scenic, passing many waterfalls and crossing a stream four times. The trail is plenty wide at the start, easily allowing 3-4 people abreast, and gets smaller as you carry on, narrowing to a bit wider than singletrack at the end.

You can either head back the way you came or take a side trail down, or head towards Broken Top or South Sisters if you are feeling fresh and frisky.