Crooked River Trail -

In 2016 the Crooked River Trail was burned by the Pioneer Fire. 

While the northern end of the trail passes through a narrow valley and parallels Crooked River, the trail's southern end steeply ascends a ridge above the river and its steep canyon walls.

When the valley broadens, the trail passes several dispersed campsites at the river's edge.

Motorized traffic is impractical because sections of the trail are narrow, unstable and drop steeply to the river's edge. Equestrians should use caution especially at the southern end where the trail is narrow, steep.

Since most day use occurs within the first few miles of the trailhead on Forest Service (FS) Road 384, the remainder of the trail is recommended for recreationinsts seeking solitude.

Within a mile, the trail reaches the first of three river crossings. The trail forks with one branch continuing on the river's west side, and soon becoming narrow and impassable. the other branch descends to the river's edge and crosses to its east side.

About 3.5 miles from the trailhead at a sandy beach, the river is crossed a second time. Within a half mile, the trail fords the river for the last time.

Now on the river's east side, the trail crosses several side-streams and meanders close to then away from the river.

In a broad meadow about 4 miles from the trailhead, the trail passes but does not cross a metal bridge over Crooked River. About 6.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail steeply ascends a ridge out of the narrow canyon away from the river.

At the top of the ridge, the trail overlaps an old roadbed. Within a mile, an unblazed narrow road intersects the old roadbed, and the trail turns abruptly southwest and overlaps the narrow road. Within a quarter mile, the trail enters the forst at a blazed intersection and winds its way down to FS Road 327 where it terminates at a trail sign.

At a Glance