The Best Kayaking Lake In Oregon Is One You May Never Have Heard Of
Sarah McCosham
Author
In Oregon, every outdoor enthusiast is familiar with the Deschutes River; it’s a perennial favorite for the water-loving crowd that enjoys whitewater rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, floating, and kayaking on its currents. But what about the best lakes to kayak in Oregon? For kayakers seeking a new, less-crowded adventure, there’s a little-known lake in the central part of the state that’s positively perfect; and in fact, it may just be the best kayaking lake in Oregon.
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Get the most up-to-date information about visiting Suttle Lake.
Have you gone kayaking on Suttle Lake before? What do you think — is it the best kayaking lake in Oregon? What do you think are the best places to kayak in Oregon? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Learn more and plan your visit to Suttle Lake by visiting the USDA Forest Services website.
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More to Explore
Oregon Waterfalls and Lakes
What are the best waterfalls in Oregon?
Lakes in Oregon are great, but don’t forget to explore the best waterfalls in Oregon:
- Multnomah Falls: This list could not go on without mentioning the glorious 620-foot falls located within the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. It is the tallest waterfall in Oregon, and despite the crowds, is very easily accessible. You can also hike to the top as I did, but know that the view from the bottom is really the very best of all!
- Trail of Ten Falls: Okay, so this one is technically–you guessed it–10 waterfalls. Head to Silver Falls State Park in Marion County for the 7.4-mile loop hike to see them all.
- Proxy Falls: Located in the over one million-acre Willamette National Forest in Blue River, this 226-foot-tall waterfall is accessible via a 1.5-mile trail. This one is unique in that there is porous lava at the base, making it look like the water is going underground.
What are the most beautiful lakes in Oregon?
While Suttle Lake is gorgeous and one of the best lakes to kayak in Oregon, there are a lot of other beautiful lakes in Oregon:
- Crater Lake: Like Multnomah Falls and its beauty, this list could not go on without a mention of Crater Lake in southern Oregon. In fact, it’s so important that in 1902, an entire national park was created centered around this 1,949-foot-deep lake, the very deepest in the United States.
- Timothy Lake: This 1,384-acre manmade lake can be found in Clackamas County. Aside from the opportunities to fish and paddle on the lake, you can also hike, mountain bike, and horseback ride near to it. And if you really love it, consider camping for the night!
- Emigrant Lake: Head to southern Oregon for this 806-acre lake. There’s quite a bit of shoreline to bask in as well as the opportunity to boat, swim, fish, and even camp.