Campbell and Dead Horse Lakes

• Moderate (to Campbell Rim)
• 4.9-mile loop
• 810 feet elevation gain
• Open mid-July through October
• Use: hikers, horses, bicycles

• Moderate (to Dead Horse Rim)
• 7.4-mile loop
• 1170 feet elevation gain

Although this mountain lake basin is as high as the alpine lakes of the Cascades or Wallowas, the dense lodgepole pine forest here limits views. For a look around, take a loop trail up from Campbell Lake to a cliff—the headwall of the vanished Ice Age glacier that scooped out this basin. Anglers rush to Campbell and Dead Horse Lakes as the snow is melting in early June. If you’re not fishing, plan your visit later, when the mosquitoes are gone and the rim trail clears of snow.

If you’re coming from Bend, drive …

This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Eastern Oregon.