Three Sisters (Oregon)About Three Sisters (Oregon)
The Three Sisters are a closely grouped trio of volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. The three summits each rise to about 10,000 feet, with South Sister the highest at approximately 10,358 feet (3,157 meters).
The area is known for alpine hiking, backpacking and mountaineering across lava flows, glacial cirques and ridgelines; there are established trails and scramble routes on the South Sister and routes of varying difficulty on Middle and North Sister. The landscape includes visible volcanic features and glacially carved valleys, and the wilderness setting attracts backpackers and climbers throughout the summer.
The peaks are products of volcanic activity within the Cascade Volcanic Arc and have been shaped by repeated eruptions and glaciation over hundreds of thousands of years. North Sister is the most eroded, while South Sister is the youngest and tallest of the group.
The Three Sisters sit in central Oregon within the Three Sisters Wilderness, west of the city of Bend and near the small town of Sisters. The cluster occupies high ground in the Cascade crest and is a prominent landmark in the region.
- Elevation and weather: Each peak exceeds 10,000 feet (about 3,050 meters), so weather can change rapidly and snow persists on higher slopes well into summer.
- Wilderness rules: The peaks lie inside the federally designated Three Sisters Wilderness, so overnight stays require compliance with wilderness regulations and leave-no-trace practices.
What to See#
- South Sister: The highest of the three peaks, reaching 10,358 feet (3,157 meters), and the most recently active of the group; it is a popular but strenuous climb with a defined summit trail.
- Middle Sister: The middle peak at about 10,047 feet (3,061 meters), sitting between the North and South summits and often climbed as part of multi-peak trips.
- North Sister: The northernmost and most heavily eroded of the three, rising to roughly 10,085 feet (3,074 meters); noted for steep terrain and technical routes on some faces.
Nearby Attractions to Three Sisters (Oregon)
Best Time to Visit Three Sisters (Oregon)
Visit the Three Sisters in mid-to-late summer for the safest, most accessible hiking and climbing conditions; higher elevations retain snow much of the year.
Weather & Climate near Three Sisters (Oregon)
Three Sisters (Oregon)'s climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -11°C to 14°C. Heavy rainfall (2118 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -10° - -2° | -12° | 316 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -10° - -2° | -12° | 248 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -11° - -3° | -13° | 225 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -11° - -2° | -12° | 149 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -8° - 1° | -9° | 111 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -5° - 5° | -4° | 88 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -1° - 12° | 2° | 40 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 0° - 14° | 5° | 52 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -1° - 12° | 2° | 84 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -4° - 7° | -3° | 157 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -8° - 0° | -10° | 309 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -2° | -13° | 339 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Three Sisters (Oregon)
The Three Sisters are in the central Oregon Cascades west of the towns of Bend and Sisters. By road, take US‑20 from Bend toward Sisters (approximately a 25-30 mile drive) and then follow Forest Service roads and signed turnoffs to the various trailheads for the North, Middle and South Sister; parking and trailheads are at designated Forest Service lots and walking distances depend on which trailhead you use.
Tips for Visiting Three Sisters (Oregon)
- Drive McKenzie Pass (Highway 242) to the Dee Wright Observatory for one of the easiest, most reliable viewpoints of the Three Sisters-note the pass is seasonally closed by snow, so check road status.
- For closer mountain views, hike the Tam McArthur Rim trail near Bend; it's a relatively short route that gives expansive, unobstructed panoramas of the Three Sisters complex.
- Avoid peak mid-afternoon weekends at popular pullouts by going early on weekday mornings when parking is easier and light for photos is best.