clear lake

This lake is very, very clear. You can see trees lying in the bottom of the lake. The water is a beautiful green/blue color. We went because the surrounding foliage was in fall colors. Everything was simply gorgeous. We kayaked around the lake. It is a small lake, we could have paddled around it twice. The scenery would be incredible in either direction. There were many hikers out, specifically for the fall colors. This is the right time of year to enjoy the colors. We picked a perfect day, warm, no wind and the lake was flat! Easy paddling. The Clear Lake Resort was open, but, I don't think they were serving any food. We had brought our lunch,so we didn't need to buy anything. When the lodge is open, their Marion Berry Pie is to die for.

The lake is very clear and blue. There are not motorized boats allowed, which makes the lake very quite and serene. We rented a boat for an hour $15, and it was worth the it to see the lake from above.

This was another accidental stop on a ten day roadtrip. We are so glad we found this incredible place. Really, there is not a more gorgeous lake. We're looking forward to returning to stay a few nights.

This amazingly clear lake with ancient trees underwater is always a delight to kayak. It was fun to bring new friends here for their first trip

Worth a stop!!! There's so much to do- hike, bike, rent a row boat, bring your paddle board or kayak! Eat there or bring a picnic!! The clearness of the lake is amazing!!

Clear Lake....it is exactly that. A quiet, beautiful lake -- a jewel-toned body of water resting in the forest and mountains. There's a approx. 5 mile hike that follows the circumference of the lake, a must-do if you enjoy walking. It's not very technical but do take water. One side of the lake, the side affected by volcanic eruptions complete with resulting lava fields is dry and hot on sunny days.

This is an excellent place to venture in the Fall. On a clear day you can catch vivid Fall colors reflecting off the crystal clear lake. It is just a short stop off the highway.

What a beautiful lake! We came to Clear Lake to begin our hike to Koosah Falls. I am so glad we did! The lake is just breathtaking! On our way to the falls, we were able to walk along the lake for quite a while. The color of the water was a brilliant aqua mixed with many other shades of blue. We did see people in row boats and kayaks exploring the lake. I would like to try this next time. It is the perfect place to bring your family for a day of exploring!

A few thousand years ago a lava flow went across a river supplied water from springs. This created Clear Lake, the head of the McKenzie River. Big Spring is across from the Clear Lake Resort boat docks and a little north (200 yards). That Big Spring is a clear beautiful blue, and on the trail around the lake. It is also easy to land a boat just north of the little stream coming in from the east. It is a short five minute or so hike to the spring. The east side of the lake is fairly recent lava flow with outcroppings of trees and distant view in the sun. The west side of the lake is in thick nearly old growth threes on a steep hillside and in dark shade. The outlet on the southend is the mouth of the McKenzie River. It is ice cold (33-35f) year round since it is spring fed and the flow out large. At that temperature bacteria do not grow and many of the trees that were standing in the valley when lava close off the river are still standing and can be touched by hand. Most are just east of the boat docks and to the north some too. The water so clear you can easily see fish and fishing birds and cute otters. Otter frequent the little outcropping across from the boat docks.Coldwater Camprground is on the southeast edge of the lake. Try pumping that wonderful cold water from the large old hand pump at the campgrounds road end and turnaround. It is 'coldwater' for sure. Too cold to drink fast on a hot day. The original camprgrounds have been closed with a small fraction left openfor picknicking. They are on the main road down to the resort and on your right as you come into view of the lake. Linn County saved the resort when the Santiam Fish and Game Commision relinquished their control of the resort they had built. Most members were old and many had died. They evidently got tired fighting the state everytime they tried any improvements. But they did get attention to the wonderful 'jewell' in the mountains, kept motor boats off the lake, and much more. Linn County tripled rental rates of the cabins and boats. They have reasonable food at the resort. But be ware. They shut down the kitchen early so the workers can use the boats (one of the employees was heard to say). They tell visitors they are open til 7:30 pm. They often fail to ment the kitchen is closed at 5:45. Our experience at the new Linn County Resort is under Clear Lake Resort. Do Not Miss This Jewell in the Cascades.You have to drop down to see it.

The colors of this lake are incredible. With the brilliant green of the foliage, you will take tons of pictures. It was a RAINY day when we were there, and the colors were still amazing. Someone said the hike was 4-5 miles, but it seemed more like 6-7 to me. You can rent row boats (which looked fun, but we ran out of time). Turn into the Clear Lake Resort and picnic area; park in the picnic area and hike. There is no day use fee for this trail.

In much of this Clear Lake. Row boats available to rent. A small restaurant with homestyle food and RUSTIC cabins for rent. Cabins have minimal electricity availability which is limited by blackout periods. There is a petrified forest which is really only visible for divers. Ice cold lake even in the summer. Beautiful, calm day trip. Lake is small so can see it all easily. There is a trail that circles the lake which winds through lava fields in some parts.

Every year we go to Clear Lake in the fall when the colors are changing, and kayak around the lake. It's amazing to witness the clarity of the water. These truly are the headwaters to the McKenzie River.

What a beautiful little treasure. There are small cabins offered for overnight lodging. There is a bait shop/boat rental shop on the lake. IMPORTANT - no motors allowed. Sometimes lakes like this allow electric motors but I was not able to get a definitive answer on this issue so BRING YOUR OARS and PADDLES. This is an excellent lake to take a small rowboat, canoe or Kayak. It also looks like an excellent freshwater diving location due to the extreme clarity of the water and presence of really old trees still standing underwater. I was told they were petrified but couldn't confirm that as we were not diving.

Great lake for kayaking or canoeing but the lake is extremely cold. One side of the lake is so clear you literally can see to the bottom. There are tree snags so be careful if you are in an inflatable. Other side of the lake tends to be choppy, dark and colder. More of a workout for sure. Highly recommend.

I've lived in Oregon most of my life but had never taken the turn off on Hwy 126 to Clear Lake even though it's just an hour and a half from my home. In June 2013, a couple of my photographer friends and I set off on a Saturday morning to take pictures up on McKenzie Pass because we heard that the bear grass was blooming. My friends suggested stopping at Clear Lake as they had found bear grass there before.We turned off the main highway and the parking area for the county-operated park was just a short distance away. We immediately spotted some blooming bear grass right in front of the little cafe. After I photographed the bear grass I walked down to the dock. I was simply awestruck by the brilliant turquoise water that was so clear you could see right to the bottom of this glacial spring-fed lake. The lake was formed over 3,000 years ago when a lava flow dammed the McKenzie River. It flooded the forest that, due to the lake's frigid temperature, can still be seen today. These submerged trees make the lake a popular spot for divers and I could see two scuba enthusiasts swimming along the lake bottom.Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the lake so there are no noisy outboards leaking oily slicks around to ruin the view or the tranquility. Visitors can rent a row boat for $30 a day or you can bring your own canoe or kayak. Several colorful kayaks were already paddling around when we arrived and added a nice splash of color to our photographs.The lake is stocked with trout so visiting fishermen can try their luck at catching their supper and the resort offers a selection of cabins for rent, some sleeping up to 8 people.It was soon time for lunch so we decided to try out the little restaurant. They had a nice selection of sandwiches and gave you a choice of fries, potato salad or a cup of soup or chili for your side dish. I decided on a hamburger with a cup of chili. It was very tasty with a juicy patty that was quite generous in size and stuffed with all the trimmings. The chili was quite good too and was a nice change from the usual fries.We enjoyed ourselves so much we returned to Clear Lake in October to photograph the autumn leaves which were really spectacular! I even ventured a little ways down the 5-mile-long trail that circumnavigates the lake. The trail is open from late spring until the first snow although you should check with the park ranger as the west side of the trail is closed periodically to protect nesting bald eagles. You also need to keep a sharp eye out as the twisting trail is used by both hikers and mountain bikers and some of the mountain bikers pedal along quite fast.Although you can rent a cabin in the winter, the restaurant closes during the winter and doesn't reopen until Mother's Day in the spring. I noticed that up to two pets are allowed per cabin too.