Hike Upper Table Rock in Southern Oregon
The Rogue Valley is a beautiful area of southern Oregon. It’s a short drive from the popular Crater Lake National Park, and has a great hike for families to enjoy. Upper Table Rock is a roughly 3-mile loop trail that takes you to a volcanic plateau 800 feet above the Rogue Valley.
My wife and I enjoyed the hike during our couples road trip to Crater Lake and on our way to the Oregon Coast. If you’re staying in (or passing through) Medford, Oregon, stop at Upper Table Rock to stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful mountains and valleys of Oregon.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your hike to the top of Upper Table Rock.
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead for Upper Table Rock is 10 miles due north from Medford, Oregon. Follow Table Rock Road until it turns left and heads east at Touvelle Lodge. Turn right and continue north along Modoc Road. You’ll follow it until you see the trailhead on your left. Pull into the parking lot and you’re all set.
If the parking lot is full, don’t park illegally or block someone in. There are about 30 parking stalls, so depending on when you arrive, the spots may be full.
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The trailhead has vault toilets, so if you need to make a pit stop before heading up the trail, do it. There are also several signs to educate you on the ecosystem you’ll be exploring. We saw birds, some cool-looking trees, and even a lizard along our hike. Once you’ve brushed up on the ecosystem, you’re ready to head up the trail.
Best Times to Hike Upper Table Rock
The hike to Upper Table Rock is open year round. The most popular times are between April and October. One of the best times to visit the trail is between March and May. There are several types of wildflowers in bloom that add so much color and beauty to the plateau.
The wildflowers also peak between September and October, so if you plan to be there later in the year, maybe you can catch some of the wildflowers.
We hiked Table Rock in early July. My wife had brought a hat, but it was way too hot for her to be able to wear it. I ended up attaching it to my small hiking backpack during our hike. If you are hiking in the summer, be sure and bring adequate water for each member of your party. The trail can be a little steep, since you ascend 760 feet in the 1.2 miles to the top.
What to Expect on the Hike
The trail is listed as MODERATE because of the elevation change in the 1.2-mile trail to the top. As mentioned, you climb 760 feet on the way up. There are several switchbacks, so the trail isn’t a grueling one.
Along the trail, be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife. We were wowed by the colorful bark on the trees we were hiking past. There’s moss hanging from the trees, too. I saw trees like that in New Orleans, but was a little surprised to see that in Oregon, too. It was beautiful. We also saw a lizard hiding at the base of a tree.
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When you reach the top of the plateau, it’s really up to you where you hike. There are some trails up there, so we tried to follow those. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, there may be small ponds up there. Be mindful of the ecosystem and try not to disturb it.
If you get near the edges of Table Rock, you’ll want to keep an eye out on your kids. There are some steep drop offs. From Upper Table Rock, you can look north to see Lower Table Rock. The hike to the top of that plateau is a little longer than Upper Table Rock, but you could hike that trail, too.
The views from every direction are amazing. The Rogue River Valley is beautiful and very green. Don’t rush your visit so you can take the beauty in before descending the trail back to your vehicle.
The Details
Difficulty: Moderate
Round trip: The trail is 3.3 miles roundtrip. You gain 760 feet in elevation during the hike.
Hiking time: Plan on hiking for about two hours, but it depends on how long you want to spend exploring the top of the plateau.
Entrance/Permit Fee? No entrance fee or parking fee required.
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