Escape into Oregon’s wilderness to get away from all the stress and noise of your everyday life. You certainly have plenty of spots to choose from, but there’s one crystal-clear lake tucked away on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains that we just can’t get enough of.
You’ll find Waldo Lake about 70 miles southeast of Eugene. Drive on Highway 58 for 60 miles, then turn off on Forest Road 5897. You’ll reach the lake in eight miles.
Waldo Lake is the second-largest nature lake in the Beaver State, covering 10 square miles, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Coulee/Wikimedia
With an average depth of 128 feet, and a maximum depth of 420 feet, Waldo is the second-deepest lake in the state, right after Crater Lake.
Eric Prado/flickr
The waters of Waldo Lake are some of the purest in the entire world! You can often see down 120 feet when the lake is calm.
Bonnie Moreland/flickr
To keep these crystal-clear waters clean, motorized boats are not allowed here. Boats with electric motors are allowed, but must stay at speeds below 10 mph.
Aaron Brown/flickr
Without the whine of noisy motors, this lake is a pristine, peaceful place to paddle and explore on a kayak or canoe.
College Outdoors/flickr
The Waldo Lake Wilderness Area offers several hiking trails that take you to nearby lakes…
jackie lindsay/Alltrails
…and you can ride your mountain bike on the 20-mile-long Waldo Lake Trail, which takes you on a tour all the way around the lake.
Scott Hill/flickr
You’ll find three campgrounds here, but for a more secluded experience, hike in to one of the 50 primitive dispersed sites around the lake. In August and September, the campgrounds are full, and book out up to six months in advance.
College Outdoors/flickr
A trip to Waldo Lake is the perfect way to relax and unwind. While you won’t have the lake to yourself, it’s large enough that you can find a little spot to get away from it all.
Bonnie Moreland/flickr
Learn more about Waldo Lake on the USDA Forest Service’s website. Have you visited Waldo Lake? We’d love to hear about your trip!
Coulee/Wikimedia
Eric Prado/flickr
Bonnie Moreland/flickr
Aaron Brown/flickr
College Outdoors/flickr
jackie lindsay/Alltrails
Scott Hill/flickr
If you’d like to explore more of Oregon’s waterways, take a kayak tour!
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