Hole-in-the-Ground

Cool! Big hole! Many ways to go! Road closed winter through April 1st.

Forgot to review this as well. I personally would not go into the hole without high clearance. There were a good few times I thought I may have gotten stuck, and would definitely have if I were stock height. I saw a 4Runner turn around, but they probably would have been fine. One path is very bouncy, the other two are very steep. I took the bouncy but slower incline both up and down.

Fun going down into the hole and around the rim.

My husband and I took our 2015 Tacoma out there and had a lot of fun viewing the crater and driving down the dirt roads. Super easy trail drive, but wouldn’t recommend a low car driving through there.

road closed till April. just looked to notice :(

A family favorite!

I hiked Hole-in-the-Ground on a crisp and partly cloudy late May day. The temperatures at night dropped into the upper twenties as I spent the night in my Go-Fast-Camper rooftop tent. I parked and camped roughly at the 10 o'clock position, just past the west trail into the bowl. Below are some key observations about this trail. ACCESS Hole-in-the-Ground can be accessed from OR-31 (Fremont Hwy) southeast of Bend (55 miles) and La Pine (25 miles). There is an array of forest roads connecting OR-31 to the trailheads. The sign off OR-31 uses NFR 400 as the access road. Other options are NFR-200 and NFR 3125. Careful maneuvering (or high-er clearance vehicles will be helpful if roaming around the lattice of road to and around Hole-in-the-Ground) SCENIC APPEAL I am giving 3 stars to this "hike" as it does not boast any spectacular feature or 'views'. It would probably not be a main/single destination for anyone living outside of the local area. It is however an interesting 'stop on the way' to other sites. The particular phenomenon behind the creation of the site (maar) and the views from the highest point on the rim (on the east side, including Fort Rock in the mid-distance) are certainly deserving of some stars. Combining this with a visit to nearby Fort Rock can increase its overall appeal. DIFFICULTY Being a quintessential and almost perfect loop with "shortcuts" through the bowl at three different locations, the site provides an a-la-carte menu of difficulties to choose from: short flat out-and-back segments on the rim, full circle with a gentle rise on the east/north-east portion of the rim, descent into the bowl and climb back to the rim, and many variations/combinations thereof. As I wanted to experience most of the rim as well as descents into the bowls, I ended up making this a 6.7 miles hike. WATER None. Bring your own, especially if you make this a camping location TRAFFIC Hikers traffic seems to be relatively light. However, this is a very popular spot for dirt-bike and ATV enthusiasts that drive down and back up, using the west and south-east trails into the bowl (the north trail is not open to vehicular traffic). CAMPING OPTIONS There are about a dozen spots around the bowl where to setup for car camping. The south and west of the rim are more wooded (pines) and therefore protected from the wind. These spots are the first to fill up as the location appears to be popular with locals for overnight stays.

Totally cool just out in the middle of nowhere

have done this many times, breathtaking every time! it is a climb right out of the gate, with elevation it makes it a little tougher but so worth it! it is a must do especially for locals, visitors, if you want awesome views!

I have edited the directions to this feature to reflect the well posted signage that now exists. I found this geological feature fascinating. The drive was easy, although the gravel road was quite washboarded and bumpy. We parked on the west rim and walked down the steep and dusty direct trail to the bottom of the crater. The pine trees inside the crater are different from the Ponderosa Pines that line the crater. The hike out via the south end is more gradual and easier. Not much at the bottom except some wildflowers and some empty propane tanks that have been used as shooting targets. Didn't see another soul today out here.

The directions are bogus! Bummed by all the shooting targets and debris left by rednecks

Do NOT follow the directions on here!!!! Stay on Hwy 31 and there's a sign and the road is on the left. Interesting spot. It's a big hole.