If you’ve pictured walking beside mystical lakes tucked along magnificent mountains with sandy beaches and people kayaking and swimming around, Oregon seems to beckon you. This state, between the Pacific Ocean and the continent, is full of charming lakes with rich history. Their universal beauty has mesmerised onlookers for decades, but today, they’ve increasingly become highly-visited tourist spots. The lakes have become an idyllic vacation destination decked with cozy accommodations like cabins and rentals, camping sites, picnic tables, and grills. Check out what the best lakes in Oregon have in store for you.
Best Lakes in Oregon
1. Crater Lake
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. It was formed by a volcano that erupted almost 8,000 years ago and led to the caldera filling up with rainwater and snow melt. The lake, at 1,943 feet, is also one of the clearest lakes. Interestingly, there are no water bodies that flow to and from it. The water within comes from rain and snow that fall into it every year. For a first-time visitor to the Crater Lake National Park, the waters of the lake will appear the bluest and most cerulean.
2. Upper Klamath Lake
Upper Klamath Lake is the largest lake in Oregon. It is 30 miles long and 8 miles wide. Here, over a million birds like American white pelicans, Bald Eagle, and sandhill cranes pass through on their yearly migrations. The area is full of peaceful wetlands and has widely distributed redband trout. The long stretches of water also make the lake a premier paddling point.
3. Lake Owyhee
One of the best lakes in Oregon is Lake Owyhee. The scenic reservoir is a 53-mile-long lake that offers many opportunities for camping and boating. The rhyolite and basalt rock formations in the place make the area vibrant. The Gordon Gulch Day-use Area in Lake Owhee State Park is open and has picnic tables and a boat ramp. Exploring the desert canyon on a boat and in the rugged mountains is one of the most popular activities among tourists.
4. Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a non-alkali lake and among the purest water bodies in the world. It is below 10 square miles of water surface and 420 feet deep. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, and it has thick forest growth consisting of Douglas fir and Western Hemlock trees. The three campgrounds here are open in late June or early July. If you love hiking or biking, use the Waldo Lake Trail around the lake.
5. Paulina Lake
The 250-foot-deep Paulina Lake is crystal-clear in the Deschutes National Forest and Central Oregon. It filled after the Newberry Caldera collapsed. This lake is ideal for a visit during summertime when kayaking, boating, and hiking can be enjoyed. The Paulina Lake Hot Springs near Newbury Volcanic Monument can make anyone’s day memorable with its blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.
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6. Lost Lake
One of the best lakes in Oregon for watching nature is Lost Lake. The lake and the area around it were once the ancestral home of the Wakichi Band of Yokuts. Today, it is one of the most scenic lakes in Mount Hood. The flat and easy shoreline trail is famous among nature lovers who get unrivalled by Mount Hood. It is also the home of cavity-nesting birds and mammals.
7. Trillium Lake
The Trillium Lake is a 6.4-meter-deep artificial lake formed by a dam in 1960. It was known as Mud Lake because it was a swampy area south of Summit Meadows. The lake is within a two-hour drive from Portland and offers an ideal opportunity for an outdoor getaway. You can set up a camp, go kayaking, fishing, or have a picnic around the lake.
8. Diamond Lake
The Diamond Lake is near Crater Lake and is the perfect spot to spend a summer vacation. Pretty trails at Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen surround its crystal clear waters. This nearly 200-mile river also beckons anglers with its rich variety of Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, and Yellow perch. You can stay at the Diamond Lake Lodge and Resort to experience the beauty of this Oregon lake.
9. Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is among the best lakes in Oregon because it offers a blend of adventure and natural beauty. It is the first alpine lake on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and is surrounded by stream wetlands and meadows. Sparks Lake was formed when Mt. Bachelor Volcanic Chain’s lava obstructed the upper Deschutes River. On its waters, you can ride a motorized or a non-motorized boat or take a hike on the 2.5-mile Ray Atkeson Loop Trail. Moreover, there are many spots along the lake’s shore that you can explore.
10. Devil’s Lake
Devil’s Lake is a lesser-known cool haven in Oregon where you can spend a peaceful day. This 6.43-meter lake has a variety of freshwater fish, while its wetland is the wintering ground for migratory geese and ducks. There are six access points there, and you can kayak, boat, or take a short 30-minute drive around the lake. The campground at Devil’s Lake is popular among visitors who pitch a tent and go on exploring the beaches and restaurants at Lincoln City.
11. Crescent Lake
Oregon’s Crescent Lake will defy what stunning means. With its crystal-clear blue waters, it beckons visitors to camp along its shores. It was formed due to volcanic movements many years ago. The lake is situated along Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest, which has various volcanoes, rivers, and wild areas. Not only do you get a glimpse of the magnificent peaks, but you also camp and use the water recreation amenities.
Book Hotels Near Crescent Lake
12. Clear Lake
Clear Lake, known for its clear, volcanic rock-filtered waters, lies 138 km northeast of Eugene. It lies above McKenzie River in the Cascade Mountains and is home to various hiking trails. Apart from swimming, you can do any possible recreational activity, like boating, fishing, picnics, hiking, and camping. Swimming is not allowed because of the extremely cold waters.
13. Threemile Lake
A lesser-known but one of the best lakes in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the Threemile Lake. It is an idyllic and secluded spot with dunes, coastal forests, and rolling hills all around. To get here, you’ll need to hike a 2-mile Threemile Lake South Trail north through the forests from a trailhead off Sparrow Park Road. Once there, you can find cabins for rent or choose to explore over 100 campsites.
read also: Romantic Getaways In Oregon
14. Burnt Lake
If you are an avid hiker, Burnt Lake will be the ideal choice. This lush lake, which is situated in the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, has scenic views of the mountains. The 7-mile Burnt Lake Trail is great for hiking and snowshoeing. It takes you through a forest with the still-standing shells of old-growth cedars and conifer trees that burned in the early 1900s. Taking this moderate-to-challenging trail is the best way to enjoy the view of the lake.
15. Mirror Lake
Those who prefer hiking during the day should check out the beautiful Mirror Lake. It is located in Clackamas County, at the foot of the Tom Dick and Harry Mountain. An easy 2-mile hike of the Mirror Lake Trailhead allows you to reach this lake. Once here, you’ll find deep slopes south and southwest of the lake. These are the glacier cirque headwalls formed because of glacial erosion. The lake’s water even reflects the Eagle Cap Peak. You can take a hike beyond the lake to the Tom Dick and Harry Ridge and venture into a Salmon-Huckleberry wild forest. Besides, the Mirror Lake Trail allows you to engage in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Concluding Words
Oregon has magical, scenic lakes ideal for families or solo trips. They offer a peaceful ambience and lots of fun activities to make your trip worthwhile. Whether it’s the natural beauty you crave, a secluded, dreamy area, or an action-packed adventure, you’ll find your wish come true by visiting one of the Oregon lakes mentioned above.
