Journey through Crook County's Breathtaking Landscape and Trails
Hiking
Prineville is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wealth of hiking opportunities that showcase the area’s natural beauty. Two standout trails, Steins Pillar and Barnes Butte, promise captivating experiences for hikers of all levels. Whether you seek a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, Prineville’s hiking trails offer unforgettable experiences immersed in the region’s stunning scenery.
Leave No Trace
Be a Good Steward of the Land and Leave No Trace
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Barnes Butte Trail System
Check out a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, with easy and moderately challenging opportunities available. The trail system is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The views encompass the entirety of the Crooked River Canyon and stretch from the Cascades to the Ochocos.
Brennan Palisades
Take a stroll through time and enjoy the hidden wonders of the great outdoors. The Brennan Palisade rock formations, formed from the Clarno formation, are between 37 and 54 million years old. Explore the beautiful scenery on a short hike to the top of the formation
Chimney Rock Trail
This popular 2.7-mile trail provides a beautiful view of the Crooked River and its majestic canyons. The campground and trail provide the perfect setting for birding, hiking, and snowshoeing. The best times to visit this trail are March through October.
Round Mountain Trail
Feeling ambitious? Try this 16.3-mile out-and-back route, open for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Better be sure to get an early start if you want to climb this peak, the average completion time is 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Independent Mine Trail
This 8-mile loop trail travels through old-growth fir and pine thickets. As it gains elevation, it meanders through beautiful mountain meadows and reaches the top of Lookout Mountain: a great climb for hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers alike. A shelter is located near the top for a nice break before your descent to the starting point.
Lookout Mountain Trail
Feeling ambitious? Try this 16.3-mile out-and-back route, open for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Better be sure to get an early start if you want to climb this peak, the average completion time is 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Twin Pillars Trail
Challenge yourself on this 12-mile, out-and-back hike to the two beautiful rock formations mirroring each other, the majestic Twin Pillars. While in the Mill Creek Wilderness, keep an eye out for wildlife, especially birds, with plenty of time to witness the beauty of nature on this estimated 6-hour hike.
Steins Pillar Trail
Welcome to rock climbers, horseback riders, and hikers, this 4-mile out-and-back route brings you to the stunning geological formation, Steins Pillar. While this hike typically only takes two hours, it’s pretty forested until about two-thirds of the way when you finally catch a glimpse of the formation from the viewpoint. To access the trailhead, prepare for a bumpy ride, definitely better with a higher clearance vehicle.
