Hiking Guide for Peter Skene Ogden Trail

The Peter Skene Ogden Trail, an unsung hero among hikers, is a must-visit. Although it's off the beaten path in the hiking world, this National Recreation Trail (NRT) is dazzling enough to earn its designation. The hike takes you along the breathtaking Paulina Creek, where you'll marvel at numerous waterfalls, and culminates at Newberry Volcano's caldera. With a size similar to Rhode Island, this volcano is the largest in the Cascades arc and remains active.

Find Your Starting Point

The official trailhead is approximately an hour south of Bend, OR, and a stone's throw from La Pine, OR. You can park at Ogden Group Camp, Paulina-East Lake Rd, La Pine, OR 97739, but be sure to have a National Parks Pass or Northwest Forest Pass for parking at any trailheads here.

Alternative Starts

For a shorter 12-mile round-trip hike, you can head towards Newberry Crater and park at McKay Crossing Campground. You can also complete the hike described here in reverse by parking in the large lot by the boat launch at the Paulina Visitor Center.

Essential Gear

Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.

The trail's singletrack is in excellent condition from May to November, occasionally requiring micro-spikes during shoulder seasons due to snow at higher elevations. Along the caldera, facilities are usually open from June to September.

Other gear needs are minimal. Water is plentiful along the creek, so remember to bring a filter. Most of the hike is shaded by lodgepole and Ponderosa pines, so pack enough snacks and extra layers as needed. Keep in mind that there's no overnight camping along the trail outside of designated campgrounds.

Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.

Gear I'm Loving Now

Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack, lightweight, durable, and offers back protection with its trampoline mesh.
Norda 001 - Comfort is key, and these boots feel like a comfy pillow with monster truck capabilities.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need foolproof SOS coverage, this is my trusted companion in the backcountry.
AllTrails Plus - (30% off link) Up-to-date trip reports and added offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync functionality.
Garmin Fenix 8 - After a few updates, it's become rock-solid for me, perfect for maps, tracking, and routing.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.

Visit my Top Gear Picks page (last updated June 2025) to learn more about these products and why I choose them.

Peter Skene Ogden Trail Maps

AllTrails Plus - (30% off link) Up-to-date trip reports. Plus adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.

While some parts can be tricky, overall, the trail follows Paulina Creek from start to finish, making it relatively easy to follow. The trail is shared with equestrians and mountain bikes, with only the latter allowed to ride downhill.

Elevation Profile & 3D Map

Garmin Fenix 8 - Took a few updates to get right, but now it's rock solid for me. I use it for maps, tracking, and routing.

Hike Breakdown

Peter Skene Ogden was a fur trapper, manager, and explorer employed by the Hudson Bay Company in the 1820s. He covered an impressive amount of ground, from Vancouver to the Great Salt Lake to the Sea of Cortez, and back. At the time, this area was part of the disputed fur trading area called "Oregon Country" or belonging to Mexico. Yet it was home to Native Peoples, and Ogden's actions towards them were questionable, with at least one documented murder likely in his travels. However, he also had several Native wives. The trail name may change at some point, considering the era and Ogden's reputation.

Prior to European colonization, the area was teeming with wildlife. During the hike, you might spot mink, deer, eagles, and other animals.

Paulina Lake, the hike's end point, is the caldera of Newberry Volcano, part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Unlike a "traditional" conical volcano like Mt Hood, Newberry Volcano is a shield volcano, which is lower but wider. The volcano's full size is just a bit smaller than Rhode Island, making it the largest volcano in the Cascades volcanic arc. The USGS assesses its threat potential as "very high," and it last erupted about 1300 years ago. Today it's primarily known for its fishing opportunities (stocked with trout and other fish).

The oldest dwelling in North America was discovered along the lakeshore in 1998, believed to be 10,000 years old and preserved after being covered by an eruption 7,500 years ago, much like the findings at Pompeii. It's thought that the Windust hunter-gatherers lived in this dwelling. You can still find Windust-era blades and tools made from obsidian from the Newberry Volcano in the area.

Paulina Creek and Paulina Lake are named after the Northern Paiute chief Pahninee. His story echoes the tragic fate of other Native peoples defending their homeland.

The trailhead for the Peter Skene Ogden Trail is located approximately an hour south of Bend, OR, near La Pine, OR, at Ogden Group Camp, Paulina-East Lake Rd, La Pine, OR 97739.
For a shorter hike, you can park at McKay Crossing Campground or by the boat launch at the Paulina Visitor Center and complete the hike in reverse.
Essential gear for this hike includes a daypack like the Osprey Hikelite 26, suitable hiking boots such as the Norda 001, a water filter, snacks, extra layers, and a National Parks Pass or Northwest Forest Pass for parking at trailheads.
The trail follows Paulina Creek from start to finish, making it relatively easy to follow, but some parts can be tricky. Keep in mind that the trail is shared with equestrians and mountain bikes, with only the latter allowed to ride downhill.
AllTrails Plus provides up-to-date trip reports, offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync functionality, helping in navigating the Peter Skene Ogden Trail.