The best walks and hikes around Kerby

Mountain Top Trail is part of the small network of hiking trails on the southern side of Lake Selmac. This trail is just under a mile long and connects the Middle Mountain Trail to the Short Cut Trail. If you wish to extend your hike, you can hike past the junction for the Short Cut Trail and continue on to the Eagle Alternative and Long Cut Trails.

Little Illinois Falls Loop Trail is a short loop just off the Little Falls Campground. It is also accessible via a connector trail from the Jeffery Pine Loop. This trail grants you great views over the Illinois River and of a small waterfall.

Jeffery Pine Loop is a 1 mile, unpaved loop that overlooks the Illinois River. This is a lovely little loop that is nice to add on to the Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Wayside Boardwalk across the road, and/or the Little Illinois Falls Loop Trail, which is accessed via a pleasant trail on the same side of the road as the Jeffery Pine Loop that follows the Illinois River up to the Little Falls Campsite and trail.

Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Wayside Boardwalk is a short boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible with two overlooks that give great views over one of the larger, more easily accessible fens in the Illinois Valley. The fen is home to a unique carnivorous plant, the California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica). This is a great little trail to take kids on and to link with the nearby Jeffrey Pine Loop Trail and Little Falls Loop Trail if you want to lengthen your hike and explore other diverse ecosystems.

Lake Selmac, located in Josephine County, Oregon, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking to enjoy some outdoor time by the water. Situated within Lake Selmac County Park, this picturesque lake is surrounded by forests and rolling hills and offers numerous amenities, including campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat ramps, making it an ideal spot for camping, fishing, boating, and swimming. The lake is well-known for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill. Anglers can fish from the shore, docks, or boats, and the lake is regularly stocked to ensure a plentiful catch. Non-motorized boating is allowed, with kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats being popular choices for exploring the calm waters. In addition, there are several hiking trails that meander through the surrounding woodlands, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

The River Trail is one of the longest trails in the West Fork Trails system. This trail traverses northeast-southeast through dense, lush forests and provides the only access to the Illinois River in this area at the north end of the trail. You can access the river via an old road bed that ends in a shady myrtle forest by its banks. You must step over a barbed wire fence to get to the water and to see the confluence of the two forks of the Illinois River to your left.

The West Fork Illinois River Trailhead is situated south of Cave Junction, where the East and West Forks of the Illinois River converge. There are several popular loop hikes that offer a secluded trail experience through the mixed forest typical of the Siskiyou region. On these hikes, you traverse gullies, ridges, and slopes, encountering diverse flora and occasional obstacles like downed trees. The trail, which is primarily on BLM and Oregon State Parks land, winds through forests of pine, Douglas-fir, myrtle, madrone, and oak, with limited river access and few scenic views. The trailhead features a parking lot, pit toilets, an information kiosk and a horse trailer parking area. Noteworthy segments include the Dogwood Trail and the River Trail, which features switchbacks, myrtle trees, and an old barbed wire fence near the riverbank.