Trillium Bike Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Swimming

The Trillium Bike Trail was built to avoid the busy Trillium Campground Road to connect the town of Government Camp to the popular Trillium Lake.

From Government Camp to Trillium Lake, you must take a few trails and old dirt/gravel roads. Users starting in Government Camp need to start on Barlow Trail until it drops you in the middle of Still Creek Campground Road. Turn right (south) and follow Forest Road 2650 which turns into E. Perry Vicker's Road where it goes through private land near Summit Meadows.

From there, continue on the road which turns into Forest Road 131. Continue on the gravel/dirt road through a large old airstrip with folks camping in the woods nearby likely. The Trillium Bike Trailhead is at the south end of the airstrip. Get on the Trillium Bike Trail there and continue to where it intersects with the Trillium Lake Trail. Near the start of the trail are the remnants of a circa 1930's Civilian Conservation Camp that helped build Forest roads and trails.

The Trillium Bike Trail is open to hikers and bike riders and follows through a forest crossing a couple of streams. It has been upgraded with gravel in some wet areas but is otherwise native surfaced. The trailhead has a map of the Government Camp Trail System.

Once you reach the Trillium Lake Trail that loops around the lake and passes through the campground and day use areas, it is likely to be a very busy loop trail. Once on the Trillium Loop Trail, that part of the trail is four-six feet wide so there is plenty of room to get to the side of the trail. Your ultimate destination should be the day-use area by the dam, where you get the million dollar view of Mt. Hood with the lake in the foreground.

Most of the Government Camp Trail System is great for beginner hikers and beyond. The trail system stretches from Timberline Lodge above to Trillium Lake below. You can make a large four-mile loop around the town on both sides of Hwy 26 (cross at the blinking yellow lights with caution!) or hike down to Trillium Lake for a refreshing swim.

Most of the trail intersections are numbered and trailhead maps, trail brochures, and online trail maps will help map reading challenged folks to find their way around easily.

The Government Camp trails including the Trillium Bike Trail are open to hikers and bikers. Bicyclists should yield to those on foot, but keep an eye out if you are hiking. There is generally good sight distance. The trail can also be skied/snowshoed in winter from the Trillium Lake Snow park.

The Trillium Bike Trail goes through Douglas fir, mountain hemlock, silver and noble forests. There is also some lodgepole, alders and vine maple for color in fall. Huckleberries, rhododendrons, sword fern, beargrass, Oregon grape, and salal provide ground cover.