Trails Maps

• Conduct on the Monument Trails
• Preparing for a Day Hike
• Trails on the Monument
• Other Trails Near the Monument

Conduct on the Monument Trails

On the monument, pets are not allowed on the trails. Smoking is not permitted on the trails due to fire danger and there is no camping allowed on the monument. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics to minimize your impact on the resources. Do not disturb any of the plants or animals found on the trails (picking flowers, mushrooms, berries, etc.) and do not to go off the trails for any reason. The monument is a very botanically sensitive area, and federal laws protect the plants and animals that live within it.

Helps us stop the spread of fungi! A major threat to Port Orford cedar population is Phytophthora root rot, a disease spread by water or mud. You can help prevent the spread of this disease by cleaning the mud from your shoes and vehicle before traveling from one area of the forest to another.

Back to Top

Preparing for a Day Hike

Even a short hike can be dangerous if you are unprepared. Talk to a Ranger about trail conditions before you embark on any trail. Be sure that you understand the duration of the hike and let friends or family know which trail you are taking. Be prepared for the hike. Take and drink plenty of water, wear good walking shoes, and wear a hat or provide protection from the sun. Hiking trails on days with heavy wind can be hazardous due to falling tree branches.

Back to Top

Trails on the Monument

At the monument we have four hiking trails:

1. Cliff Nature Trail
2. Old Growth Trail
3. No Name Trail
4. Big Tree Trail

Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Cliff Nature Trail

Distance (from the cave exit): 0.7 mile (1.1 km)
Duration: allow 30 minutes to 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 75 feet (23 m) from cave exit
Trailhead: cave trail exit

Distance (from the cave entrance): 1.0 mile (1.6 km)
Duration: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 300 feet (90 m) from the Chateau
Trailhead: follow the pave path past the cave entrance

This is the most popular trail at the Monument passing over marble rock outcrops, through Douglas fir / Grand fir forest, and offering spectacular panoramas. The trail climbs up over part of the mountain the cave is located in. You will be rewarded in the middle of the hike with a great vista point where most of the monument valley can be seen. There are also interpretive panels along the trail to provide information about the surroundings.

Back to Top

Old Growth Trail

Distance: 0.8 mile (1.3 km) loop
Duration: allow 30 to 45 minutes
Elevation Gain: 200 feet (60 m) above Chateau
Trailhead: archway behind the Visitor Center

This historic Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) trail climbs gradually among oak trees, over marble outcrops and through a grove of spectacular old growth trees. This is an ideal route to take from the Chateau to the main parking lot.

Back to Top

No Name Trail

Distance: 1.3 mile (2.1 km)
Duration: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 250 feet (75 m) above Chateau
Trailhead: archway behind the Visitor Center

No name trail follows Cave Creek down about 300 feet (90 m), crosses the creek, and then does a steep climb back up to the other end of the monument. The hike is short, but steep. The scenery is beautiful, and there are two short trails which lead to two waterfalls on No Name creek. This is a good route to take back to the parking lot after a cave tour.

Back to Top

Big Tree Trail

Distance: 3.3 miles (5.3 km) loop, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to Big Tree
Duration: allow 2 to 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet (335 m( from archway
Trailhead: archway behind the Visitor Center

This is a great afternoon hike. This hike takes about half a day to complete because it is quite a steep climb. This trail takes hikers through beautiful scenery, mountain meadows, and past the largest Douglas fir tree known to exist in Oregon.

Back to Top

Other Trails near the Monument

• Cave Creek Trail
• Mountain Meadows Trail
• Boundary Trail

There are a number of trails around the monument which present visitors with wonderful views of the monument area and the wildlife that surrounds it. Most of the trails weave in and out of the boundary of the monument, and some even connect up with larger interstate hiking trail systems. These trails give hikers access to the Red Buttes wilderness, Bigalow Lakes, Mt. Elijah, and other areas. Hikers looking for overnight hikes can camp anywhere in the National Forest surrounding the monument.

Big Tree Trail connects up to a larger USFS trail system. Hikers can follow trails to the Red Buttes Wilderness, Mt. Elijah, Bigalow Lakes, and even connect up with the Pacific Crest Trail. These trails are not maintained by the monument, and it is recommended that you obtain either Forest Service (USFS) or Geological Survey (USGS) maps before hiking.

Back to Top

Cave Creek Trail

Distance (one-way): 1.5 mile (2.4 km)
Duration: allow 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 800 feet (245 m)
Trailhead: accessed by either the No Name Trail or from lower parking lot, look for "Picnic Area" sign and head down trail, staying left

This is an excellent trail to take if you are camping in the Cave Creek Campground or it you just want to take a relaxing stroll along a cascading creek. If you are not camping in the campground, you can make it a one-way trip by arranging a car shuttle to pick you up at the campground, which is a 4 mile (6.4 km) drive from the monument. This steep trail follows Cave Creek from the National Monument to the Forest Service campground passing through a forest of oaks and conifers.

Back to Top

Mountain Meadows Trail

Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Duration: allow 3 to 4 hour
Elevation Gain: 700 feet (210 m)
Trailhead: junction of USFS 070 to Mt Elijah

This steep trail climbs to a ridge passing through meadows in a glacially carved basin.

Back to Top

Boundary Trail

Distance (one-way): 9 miles (14.5 km) to Grayback Mountain 13 miles (20.9 km) to Red Butte Wilderness
Duration: allow 6 hours round trip to Mt Elijah
Elevation Gain: 2390 feet (730 m) from Chalet to Mt Elijah

This trail climbs approximately four miles (6.4 km) to the top of Mt Elijah then follows ridge tops to the Red Buttes Wilderness

Back to Top