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Craig Lake
A small lake along McKenzie Highway. Lake Name: Craig Lake Lake Coordinates: 44.24912, -121.83659 Lake Elevation: 5125' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: None Notes: Only accessible so long as McKenzie Highway is open, it's closed during the winter. Location: Near McKenzie Highway in Willamette National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Willamette National Forest Ranger District: McKenzie River Ranger District Wilderness Area: Three Sisters Wilderness (according to the maps
Tina McLain
5 days ago1 min read


Scott Lake
A quiet lake down NF 4200-260 in Willamette National Forest. Lake Name: Scott Lake Lake Coordinates: 44.21679, -121.88936 Lake Elevation: 4810' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: Day use/overnight use requires a pass. "The Northwest Forest Pass and interagency recreation passes are valid at this location." (Forest Service) Notes: "Access is dependent on McKenzie Highway (OR Hwy 242), which is closed in the winter." (Forest Service) Location: Along NF 4200-260 near McKenzie Highwa
Tina McLain
Oct 121 min read


Clear Lake
A popular lake in Willamette National Forest. Lake Name: Clear Lake Lake Coordinates: 44.36951, -121.99507 Lake Elevation: 3022' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: Recreation Pass Site, so NW Forest pass or other accepted passes are required for parking. Note: The day use parking lot can fill up quickly during the peak season. Location: Near Highway 126 in Willamette National Forest, OR, U.S.A. Administration: Willamette National Forest Ranger District: McKenzie River Ranger Dist
Tina McLain
Sep 282 min read


Chickahominy Reservoir
A reservoir along Highway 20 in Harney County. Lake Name: Chickahominy Reservoir Lake Coordinates: 43.55104, -119.62282 Lake Elevation: 4279' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: Campground has a fee, but day-use doesn't appear to. Note: Popular fishing location Location: Near Highway 20 in Harney County, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Date Accessed: May 25, 2026 Chickahominy Reservoir is right off Hwy 20, just a few miles west of Riley, OR. It has a
Tina McLain
Aug 32 min read


Pete French Round Barn
A historic round barn built by 19th century cattle rancher Pete French in Harney County. Name: Pete French Round Barn State Heritage Site Coordinates: 43.13265, -118.64249 Elevation: 4194' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: None Note: There is a gift shop just a little ways before the round barn. Administration: Oregon State Parks Date Accessed: May 25, 2026 The Pete French Round Barn is a unique and historical landmark. It is more “out of the way” than the other historical struc
Tina McLain
Jul 272 min read


Big Indian Overlook
A overlook with a view of Big Indian Gorge on Steens Mountain. Name: Big Indian Overlook Coordinates: 42.67298, -118.69107 Elevation: 7337' Access: Drive up/trail Note: There is a short trail to the overlook but the view of the gorge is visible along the whole "trail" and doesn't require hiking. Location: Along Steens Mountain Loop Road in Harney County, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Date Accessed: May 23, 2026 Big Indian Overlook is on the so
Tina McLain
Jul 132 min read


Viewpoint 42.66966, -118.69391
An unnamed viewpoint along Steens Mountain Loop Road with a great view of Big Indian Gorge. Name: Viewpoint 42.66966, -118.69391 Coordinates: 42.66966, -118.69391 Elevation: 7135' Access: Drive up Note: This is an unnamed viewpoint along Steens Mountain Loop Road Location: Along Steens Mountain Loop Road in Harney County, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Date Accessed: May 23, 2026 This unnamed viewpoint is right along the Steens Mountain Loop Rd
Tina McLain
Jun 292 min read


Fish Lake
A lake along the north side of Steens Mountain Loop Road on Steens Mountain. Lake Name: Fish Lake Lake Coordinates: 42.73715, -118.64720 Lake Elevation: 7368' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: Campground has a nightly fee Location: Near Steens Mountain Loop Road in Harney County, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Date Accessed: May 23, 2026 Fish lake is another lake I’ve been to multiple times over the years and never written on before. There is a ca
Tina McLain
Jun 222 min read


Lily Lake
A lake along the north side of Steens Mt Loop Road on Steens Mountain. Lake Name: Lily Lake Lake Coordinates: 42.74601, -118.66471 Lake Elevation: 7272' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: None Note: Lily Lake is located right next to Lily Lake Primitive Camping Area which has spots for dispersed camping. It's more rugged than the two campgrounds nearby. Location: Near Steens Mountain Loop Rd in Harney County, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Date Acc
Tina McLain
Jun 152 min read


Krumbo Reservoir
A fishable reservoir in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Lake Name: Krumbo Reservoir Lake Coordinates: 42.95518, -118.80637 Lake Elevation: 4209' Access: Drive up Permits/Fees: None Note: Popular fishing location, one of the few places in Malheur NWR to fish. Location: Along Krumbo Reservoir Road in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon, U.S.A. Administration: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Date Accessed: May 22, 2026 We arrived at the reservoir mid-afternoon. We drove to
Tina McLain
Jun 82 min read


Lake 45.05656, -122.10787
A small, marshy, unnamed lake along forest road 4620 in Mount Hood National Forest. Lake Name: Lake 45.05656, -122.10787 Lake...
Tina McLain
Sep 15, 20252 min read


The Culvert
A day use area where the north fork of the Clackamas river meets the Clackamas river at north fork reservoir. Unofficial Name: "The...
Tina McLain
May 5, 20253 min read


Cultus Lake
A lake near Cascade Lakes Highway in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: Cultus Lake Lake Coordinates: 43.83960, -121.85709 Lake...
Tina McLain
Mar 10, 20252 min read


Crane Prairie Reservoir
A large reservoir in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: Crane Prairie Reservoir Lake Coordinates: 43.78770, -121.79752 Lake Elevation:...
Tina McLain
Mar 3, 20252 min read


Wickiup Reservoir
A large reservoir in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: Wickiup Reservoir Lake Coordinates: 43.67929, -121.72594 Lake Elevation: ...
Tina McLain
Feb 24, 20252 min read


South Twin Lake
A lake near Wickiup Reservoir in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: South Twin Lake Lake Coordinates: 43.71395, -121.76650 Lake...
Tina McLain
Feb 17, 20252 min read


North Twin Lake
A lake near Wickiup Reservoir in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: North Twin Lake Lake Coordinates: 43.72785, -121.76632 Lake...
Tina McLain
Feb 10, 20252 min read


Paulina Lake
A lake in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: Paulina Lake Lake Coordinates: 43.71988,...
Tina McLain
Jan 13, 20251 min read


East Lake
A lake in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest. Lake Name: East Lake Lake Coordinates: 43.72757, -121.20993...
Tina McLain
Jan 6, 20252 min read


Paulina Peak
A peak with a view of all of Newberry Volcanic National Monument in Deschutes National Forest. Peak Name: Paulina Peak Peak Coordinates:...
Tina McLain
Dec 30, 20242 min read
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