dexter lake

This is a decent lake to spend a day at. All you need is the one day - then becomes very boring and nothing more to do. Not a very peaceful or relaxing place like the coastal lakes. Typical of a reservoir versus a "real" lake. It's noisy, busy and crowded. Close to the big city of Eguene. Not a place to live or vacation for more than a day or a weekend at best. Not good fishing either. We much prefer the lakes along the Oregon Coast for vacationing or for those of you looking for Lakefront living you can't beat the coastal lakes. Siltcoos, Wohink & Tenmile lakes being our family & friends' favorites!! So much more to do on and around the coastal lakes!!! Worth the drive to the coast versus this Dexter lake "reservoir".

I like to paddle around quietly so this place is a little busy, it's on the Highway so it's also noisy. It's a nice place to visit however and is close to civilization so supplies are always on hand.

This lake has had issue as with algae bloom in the past, but the boat races are worht watching and it is close too town. I don't recommend fishing there though

A family member rows with a Crew team. The lake offers a wonderful location for rowing. Early morning is a special time, before the motorboats are present. Sometimes there is an algae alert in late summer

Go to the drag boat races when they are here. This a great way to spend the weekend watching the races. The people who put this on and take care of the safety are a great family to be a part of.

Dexter Lake and the surrounding area are a really great way to enjoy the outdoors near Eugene. At first, it doesn't look like much, but there are lots of off-shoots and side roads you can take to get up to creeks and campsites around the lake area. If you're just looking for some quick swimming, you can go up Hwy 58 (take the Oakridge exit off I-5), and a dock with reasonable swimming will be on your left a few miles down. There's a sign. On weekends you should go early - the docks fill up with people on their towels. Be aware, too, if you have kids, that the occasional partiers with beers do show up, but I've never been bothered, and more often than not, it's just a relaxing place to do a little swimming at the end of the day. Further into the Dexter Recreation Area, if you drive out to Lowell and cross the reservoir, drive through town and take Moss St. off North Shore Drive, it'll take you out to Fall Creek recreation area where there are lots of really great little swimming holes, crawdad fishing, etc. Lots of people like to take their boats out to Dexter, and there are rowing crews which also practice there. I believe there's a boating club on the North side, and the last weekend in July is the Lowell Blackberry Jam, which has fishing competitions, a car show, and of course, blackberries! I've never been, but I've known people who have gone and had a great time.Some of the answers below come with an asterisk* 1. I listed this as a family visit with teens for three reasons: I loved going as a teen, I wouldn't recommend it for small children, and I frequently take teens from the summer camp I run to the surrounding area as a field trip. 2. There is no fee for this attraction. For most of the things to do at Dexter, there is no fee. I don't know details about the boating club or the Blackberry Jam. 3. Facilities: Sometimes they exist, sometimes they don't. Depends on where you go. Most public dock sites have bathrooms, most things up the creek do not. Lowell is where you can purchase food, but I'd recommend bringing your own.

This suffers from being a reservoir. The surrounding park land is not very scenic or interesting. Not very interesting to row in a raft either.

A peaceful, scenic reservoir, never crowded. Perfect for a picnic.