This Central Oregon rim trail stares straight at Broken Top and the Three Sisters, and the permit to hike it costs one dollar

Green Lakes gets all the attention near Bend, and the crowds to match. Twenty minutes up the road near Sisters, Tam McArthur Rim delivers the same volcano panorama with a fraction of the foot traffic, for the price of a one-dollar permit.

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The trail climbs out of the Three Creeks Lake trailhead and switchbacks through forest before breaking into the open. It’s about 5.4 miles round trip with roughly 1,250 feet of climbing to the rim, and most hikers spend 3 to 3.5 hours out and back, according to AllTrails.

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Psst — we made you a West Coast Adventure Map. Nearly 1,900 of our favorite spots, already pinned, ready to load into Google Maps in two clicks — grab it here.

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Once you’re up top, Broken Top rises directly across the valley, with South, Middle, and North Sister lined up behind it. Turn the other way and Central Oregon’s high desert stretches toward the Ochocos — on a clear day, Mount Bachelor shows up too. Is there a better payoff for 1,250 feet of climbing anywhere near Sisters? We haven’t found one.

Late July into early August is peak lupine season along the rim, so right now is close to the best window all year to catch the purple bloom against the black volcanic rock. By mid-August the bugs mostly clear out too, unlike a lot of Cascades trails this time of year.

The permit you actually need

Getting onto this trail takes two separate approvals, not one. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead — $5 for a single day if you don’t already have an annual pass — plus a Central Cascades Wilderness day-use permit to hike, required at Tam McArthur Rim from June 15 through October 15.

The wilderness permit runs $1 per person and releases on a rolling window through Recreation.gov: 40% of the quota ten days out, the rest two days before your hike date. Show up without one and you’re looking at a fine, so book it before you drive out.

Getting there

The trailhead sits about 16 miles south of Sisters on Forest Road 16, just past Three Creek Lake. Weekend parking fills early, so plan to be on the road by 9 a.m. if you want a spot close to the trailhead.

Making a full day of it? Sisters works as a solid basecamp, and Smith Rock State Park is close enough to fold into the same trip if you want a river canyon and climbing cliffs to go with your alpine view.

Broken Top isn’t going anywhere, but the permit window fills fast this time of year — grab yours before the lupine’s done blooming.

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in a hotel in Sisters before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements before you go.

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