Benson Lake

The Three Sisters from Scott Lake

  • Easy (to Benson Lake)
  • 2.8 miles round trip
  • 400 feet elevation gain
  • Open July through October
  • Use: hikers, horses


  • Moderate (to Scott Mountain)
  • 8.2 miles round trip
  • 1300 feet elevation gain
  • Open mid-July through October


  • Difficult (return via Hand Lake)
  • 9.7-mile loop
  • 1300 feet elevation gain

The hike to beautifully blue, cliff-rimmed Benson Lake is short enough for children, yet can be lengthened if you’d like more exercise. Just 1.1 miles further up the trail you can explore the somewhat less heavily visited Tenas Lakes—half a dozen swimmable pools scattered among huckleberry meadows and forests. Or you can continue another 1.6 miles to the wildflowers and mountain views at Scott Mountain’s former lookout site. Expect mosquitoes the last half of July.

Start by driving …

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Central Oregon Cascades.