Bench Lake Trail

Bench Lake is a 3.8-mile out-and-back from Kings Creek Trailhead: follow Kings Creek Trail about 1.3 miles, then take the Bench Lake branch for roughly 0.6 mile to the lake and return by the same corridor. Allow about 2 to 2.5 hours for the rolling high-elevation trail and the uphill return; the lake sits roughly 300 feet below the trailhead. This is a moderate hike for a small lakeshore and the rocky cliffs along the way. Pets are not allowed on park trails.

Start at the marked trailhead and head through Lower Kings Creek Meadows. At the fork around 0.6 mile, keep left on Kings Creek Trail; the right-hand Cascades Foot Trail is a one-way, exposed descent. The Bench Lake spur leaves to the right, south of the creek, at about 1.3 miles, just before Kings Creek Falls. Take it down to Kings Creek and cross on the footbridge. The route levels through a short stretch, opens onto rock below tall cliffs, then reaches the small lake and follows its shore. Turn back at the lake for this outing.

The route lies east of the park highway, where many trails were affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. Older descriptions mention fir-forest shade, but the fire changed this landscape; expect open or burned patches and do not count on continuous shade. Standing dead trees and falling limbs remain hazards in burned areas. Follow any closure signs and check current trail conditions before setting out.

Kings Creek is part of a larger watershed: its water flows through Hat Creek and the Pit River before reaching the Sacramento River.

This entry turns around at Bench Lake. The named Bench Lake Trail continues from the junction for about 2.6 miles one way to the Pacific Crest Trail, a separate backcountry segment that needs its own return plan. Water, toilets, and food at the Kings Creek Trailhead were not found in the sources checked; bring what you need.