The Green Lakes Trail is the most popular hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness, and for good reason. In roughly 4.5 miles each way it climbs from a creekside forest through old lava flows to a cluster of turquoise alpine lakes wedged between the red cone of Broken Top and the snowy bulk of South Sister. It works as a big day hike or as the first leg of a longer backpacking trip, and it is the gateway most people use to fall in love with the Oregon Cascades.
Where the Trail Starts
The trail begins at the Green Lakes Trailhead on the Cascade Lakes Highway (Forest Road 46), about 27 miles southwest of Bend. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes from town and passes Mount Bachelor and Sparks Lake along the way. The lot is large but fills early on summer weekends, so arrive before 8 a.m. or plan a weekday visit. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead but no water, so fill up in Bend.
The Hike, Mile by Mile
From the trailhead the path follows Fall Creek upstream, passing a series of cascades and waterfalls in the first two miles. This is the prettiest forested stretch in the wilderness and a worthwhile turnaround point on its own. Around the halfway mark the trees thin and you cross the edge of a sprawling obsidian and lava flow, with South Sister rising directly ahead. The grade is gentle the whole way, gaining only about 1,100 feet, which makes Green Lakes accessible to fit beginners and families with older kids.
- Miles 0 to 2: Forest and Fall Creek waterfalls, easy walking
- Miles 2 to 3.5: Lava flow edge, opening views, more sun exposure
- Miles 3.5 to 4.5: Arrival at the lakes basin, Broken Top to the east
The Lakes and Camping
The basin holds three main lakes plus several smaller tarns. The largest sits at about 6,500 feet and reflects both South Sister and Broken Top on calm mornings. Designated camping areas ring the basin, marked with posts, and camping directly on the shoreline is prohibited to protect the fragile meadows. If you want to stay overnight and explore deeper, Green Lakes is the natural basecamp for the full loop described in our Three Sisters Wilderness backpacking itinerary, which links Green Lakes to Camp Lake and Obsidian Falls.
Permits You Need
From late June through late October the central Cascades wilderness areas require a limited-entry permit for both day use and overnight trips, reserved through Recreation.gov. Green Lakes is one of the most competitive trailheads, so book the moment your date opens in the rolling reservation window. Outside the permit season you can still hike but a free self-issue wilderness permit and a Northwest Forest Pass for parking are required.
Side Trips From the Basin
Strong hikers use Green Lakes as a launch pad. The South Sister summit can be reached via a connector and ridge route for those with mountaineering comfort, gaining over 4,000 feet. A gentler option is the trail toward Broken Top and the No Name Lake area, where a small glacial pond sits beneath the peak's shattered crater walls. Wildflowers, including lupine and paintbrush, peak in the meadows in late July and early August.
When to Go and What to Bring
The trail is typically snow-free from mid-July through mid-October, with September offering the most stable weather, fewer bugs, and golden larch color late in the month. Earlier in summer the mosquitoes near the lakes can be intense, so bring a head net and repellent. Pack layers even on warm days, since afternoon thunderstorms build fast over the Sisters and temperatures drop quickly at 6,500 feet. Carry a water filter, the Ten Essentials, and a map, and observe Leave No Trace in this heavily used basin.
Whether you come for an afternoon at the waterfalls or a multi-day loop, the Green Lakes Trail delivers the essential Three Sisters experience: volcanic drama, clear alpine water, and big Cascade skies just a short drive from Bend.
