Metolius-Windigo
Metolius-Windigo Trail is a 142.6-mile trail in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. The Forest Service rates it trail class 3, developed. It is open to hiking, horse and pack stock and mountain biking. It enters Three Sisters Wilderness and Diamond Peak Wilderness.
Trail conditions, closures and hazards are not tracked here. The Deschutes National Forest official page carries current alerts and closure orders.
Map
One end Other endLine simplified to about 100 metres. Basemap from the USGS National Map.
| One end | 44.5203° N, 121.7582° W · Directions ↗ |
| Other end | 43.3676° N, 122.0332° W · Directions ↗ |
The ends are the two ends of the longest connected chain of segments. The record does not say which is the usual start. The trail is recorded as 35 segments.
The trail
| Length | 142.6 miles |
| Trail class | 3, developed |
| Type | land trail |
| Surface | native material |
| Typical tread width | 18-24 inches |
| Motor vehicles | Closed to all motorized use year-round |
| Accessibility | Not evaluated |
| National designation | National Recreation Trail or other national designation |
| Trail numbers | 99 |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest (unit 0601) |
| States | Oregon |
| Detail published | management level, with uses |
Values are the set across all segments. Class 1 is minimally developed and class 5 is fully developed. Grade and width are the forest's typical values, not measured extremes.
Weather by month
Allowed uses
| Hiking | Allowed year-round |
| Horse and pack stock | Allowed 06/01 to 10/31 (month/day) |
| Mountain biking | Allowed year-round |
A use is listed when the Forest Service records it as managed, accepted or discouraged on any segment. Discouraged still means legal. Uses marked restricted are left out. Where the forest publishes a Motor Vehicle Use Map, that map governs motorized use.
Wilderness
- Three Sisters WildernessFS · about 6% of the line is insideWilderness Connect ↗
- Diamond Peak WildernessFS · the line touches the boundaryWilderness Connect ↗
Inside a designated wilderness, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited by law regardless of the trail record, and permits or group limits may apply.
Trailheads
Lucky Lake Trailhead No season published Wilderness restrictions apply Maps of areas where special restrictions apply: Dog leash restrictions Green Lakes Matthieu Lakes Moraine Lakes Motorized and mechanical equipment (including bicycles and drones) are prohibited in the Wilderness Groups must be under 12 people and 12 head of stock Build campfires at least 100 feet away from water Pack in / Pack out! “Take only pictures, leave only footprints” — please refrain from cutting, damaging, or gathering vegetation or other forest items (e.g. rocks, artifacts, etc.) Please bury human waste 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water | under 0.1 mi |
Todd Creek Trailhead No season published | under 0.1 mi |
Crescent Lake Sno-Park No season published | 0.2 mi |
Todd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead No season published · listed closed DO NOT remove frogs or tadpoles from Todd Lake. Todd Lake is home to the Western Toad and Cascades Frog. Both of these species are threatened by loss of wetlands, habitat degredation, and environmental changes. They are protected by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and collecting of these species is illegal and punishable with a fine of $1,250. (OAR 635-044-0420) For more info: ODFW Conservation Strategy - Frogs & Toads Wilderness restrictions apply in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Maps of areas where special restrictions apply: Dog leash restrictions Green Lakes Matthieu Lakes Moraine Lakes Motorized and mechanical equipment (including bicycles and drones) are prohibited in the Wilderness Groups must be under 12 people and 12 head of stock Build campfires at least 100 feet away from water Pack in / Pack out! “Take only pictures, leave only footprints” — please refrain from cutting, damaging, or gathering vegetation or other forest items (e.g. rocks, artifacts, etc.) Please bury human waste 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water | 0.2 mi |
Distance is from the point to the nearest part of the trail line. Season text is what the forest wrote and is often a season name rather than a date.
Trails nearby
Camping nearby
Campsite Atlas cards carry site counts and booking links from Recreation.gov. Forest Service cards come from the recreation layer and link the agency page.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedNewberry Piles 2026 Rx
24 mi from the trail midpoint
- PrescribedSting 6 Rx
45 mi from the trail midpoint · 42 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Closure orders are on the forest's official page.
Explore
Historic places nearby
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How long is the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
The Forest Service records 142.6 miles under this name in Deschutes National Forest, the sum of 35 segments.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
What is allowed on the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
Hiking, horse and pack stock and mountain biking are allowed. The trail is closed to motor vehicles year-round. Some uses are seasonal. The allowed uses section lists the dates.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Where does the Metolius-Windigo Trail start?
The line begins at 44.5203° N, 121.7582° W and ends at 43.3676° N, 122.0332° W. The nearest recorded trailhead is Lucky Lake Trailhead, under 0.1 miles from the line. The record does not say which end is the usual start.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the Metolius-Windigo Trail in a wilderness area?
Yes. It enters Three Sisters Wilderness and Diamond Peak Wilderness. Wilderness rules ban bicycles and motor vehicles and often limit group size.
Source: Three Sisters Wilderness
Where can I camp near the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground (under 0.1 mi), West Cultus Boat-In Campground (under 0.1 mi) and Todd Creek Horse Camp (under 0.1 mi) are within five miles of the trail. The camping section lists all 8 with site counts and booking links.
Source: Campsite Atlas
How developed is the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
Trail class 3, which the Forest Service describes as developed. Class 1 is a minimal, unimproved route and class 5 is fully developed, often paved.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
How steep and how wide is the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
The typical tread is 18-24 inches wide.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the Metolius-Windigo Trail a national trail?
Yes. The record marks it as a National Recreation Trail.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Who manages the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
Deschutes National Forest, Forest Service unit 0601. The trail is in Oregon.
Is there a fire near the Metolius-Windigo Trail?
The interagency feed shows 2 active incidents within 50 miles of the trail midpoint as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Newberry Piles 2026 Rx at 24 miles. Check the forest's closure orders before you go.
Source: Fire nearby
Source
This page is built from 35 segments named Metolius-Windigo in the Forest Service TrailNFS_Publish layer, administrative unit 0601. Wilderness overlap is tested against the National Wilderness Preservation System layer from Wilderness Connect. Trailheads and Forest Service campgrounds come from the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer. Data refreshed November 1, 2026. The methodology page explains how segments become trails.