Todd Creek Horse Camp, Three Sisters Wilderness, Oregon

Todd Creek Horse Camp has some of the most scenic riding in the Three Sisters Wilderness but seems to often get overlooked in favor of Quinn Meadow which is also in the same general area, only about 7 miles away.

Green Lakes.

To get there: From Bend, take Cascade Lakes Hwy 23 miles, 2 miles after passing Mt. Bachelor you will see the sign on your right for the Todd Lake day use area.....DO NOT turn into here... although there is no sign, the camp is directly across the highway to your left. Update: they now have a sign on the left for the camp.

The day use area sign. Camp is on the other side of the hwy.

Todd Creek has seven spots with steel corrals, two bathrooms, and stock water from either the creek or a hand pump that fills a trough. Spot #3 would be good for a group since it has 8 corrals. All the spots have their own manure bin, but there is no potable water, and no garbage. There is plenty of room for larger rigs, and there is also a huge day use area.

It is free to camp here if you have a NW Forest Pass or an Interagency Pass. There is a map board that shows the loop you can do past Broken Top but not the ride over towards Green Lakes, which I will explain shortly.

Todd Creek Horse Camp, with plenty of parking.

Todd Creek Horse Camp.

The Metolius Windigo Trail runs right through camp and you can ride it in either direction.
To the south it leaves at the far side of camp behind a gate, and winds along through the forest until eventually you pass by Sparks Lake, Hosmer Lake, and then Lave Lake, and after that it crosses the highway and continues on it's way, so you can decide to turn back whenever you want, or you can do a little loop over to Quinn Meadow Horse Camp and then back onto the Met Win.

At Quinn Creek close to Quinn Meadow Horse Camp.

To the north, past the water trough ( the trail looks like it leaves camp to the south but it changes direction soon ) you can also ride the Met Win for many miles, or veer off of it to do the Broken Top loop which then passes by Todd Lake on the way back to camp. Cyclists use the Metolius Windigo  Trail as well, and it can be busy, especially on a weekend.

Todd Creek right where the Metolius Windigo Trail leaves camp.

On the Metolius Windigo Trail heading north.

South Sister and Broken Top in the distance.

Ball Butte.

Broken Top.

The quickest way to get to Green Lakes is to ride out the camp road, cross the highway and head into the Todd Lake day use area. The parking area here is usually a zoo, with cars everywhere spilling out of the lot and alongside the road. From the lot the trail leaves to the left, goes uphill briefly, and then continues to the right behind the bathroom, and from there it is signed Todd Trail #34. You will likely see glimpses of Todd Lake as you ride up the hill, and although there is a nice short 1.7 mile loop trail around the lake, horses are not allowed on it. However if bored after a day of riding, a person could saunter over to the trailhead from camp and hike and/or swim.

The Todd Lake day use area.

The start of the Todd Trail, behind the bathroom.

Not a horse trail but a nice short hike can be done around Todd Lake, with Mt. Bachelor views.

Follow the Todd Trail ignoring a junction towards Soda Creek, until you get to the next junction, then take a left on the Broken Top Trail and ride to Green Lakes. This ride is an out and back, and round trip is either 13 or 15 miles, there is a discrepancy since my map says 13 but the trail signs say it is longer. Since my map is newer than the trail signs, I tend to believe it! You could also combine the Broken Top Loop with the ride to Green Lakes if you like a longer day in the saddle. For another scenic way to get to Green Lakes you can also access the area from Three Creek Meadow Horse Camp

On the Broken Top Trail.

South Sister and Green Lakes.

Heading back along the Broken Top Trail.

Happy Trails!


GPS COORDINATES TO TODD CREEK