Round Butte Trail

Accessing the trailhead can be challenging. The route involves driving on rough, unpaved, single-lane, and rutted forest service roads. A high-clearance vehicle with all-wheel drive is highly recommended, especially in wet conditions. There is a primitive camp area available at the trailhead.

Yes, the Round Butte Trail is located within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, which generally allows dogs. However, it's always best to keep your dog on a leash to protect wildlife and ensure a pleasant experience for all hikers.

The trail is particularly beautiful in summer, with abundant wildflowers. June might still have lingering snowfields, while fall brings vibrant golden larches. Consider late spring through fall for the best conditions and scenery.

The Round Butte Trail is located within the Umatilla National Forest and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Generally, no specific permits are required for day hiking, nor are there entrance fees for the forest itself. However, always check the latest regulations with the Umatilla National Forest service before your trip, especially for overnight stays or group activities.

You'll experience diverse terrain, including miles of ridge walking with expansive views, sections winding through nicely forested areas often lined with huckleberries, and open, grassy slopes as you approach the summit of Round Butte. The trail tread is generally clear, but it can be faint in places.

The trail offers excellent and sweeping views of surrounding ridges, canyons, and meadows. From the 5904-foot summit of Round Butte, you can enjoy hazy views to the east over The North Fork Wenaha to Sawtooth Ridge. The extensive ridge walking provides continuous scenic vistas. Don't miss the Round Butte ridge access for some of the best panoramas.

While much of the trail is physically easy with minimal elevation changes, the overall experience is rated as moderate. Navigation can be a challenge as the trail can be faint in spots, and there isn't a marked path directly to the top of Round Butte, only scattered game trails. It's advisable to carry a map and compass or a GPS device.

There is a primitive camp area at the trailhead, with Indian Spring serving as a potential water source. However, some springs on the ridges may be dry in summer, requiring hikers to descend into gullies for water. It's always best to carry sufficient water for your hike.

Yes, the route primarily follows the Round Butte Trail but also passes through sections of the Shoofly Trail.

The trail is known for its abundance and variety of wildflowers in summer, including buckwheats, penstemons, ceanothus, alliums, and columbines. You'll also find huckleberries in forested sections. As it's within a wilderness area, you might encounter various wildlife, though specific sightings are never guaranteed.

While sections of the trail are physically easy, the overall experience is rated as moderate due to potential navigation challenges and the very rough access road to the trailhead. Beginners should be prepared for these aspects and consider hiking with an experienced companion or a reliable navigation tool.