Spend The Day On This Overlooked Oregon Lake To Get Away From It All

If you love Oregon's natural beauty, you probably love to get out there in the wild and experience the quiet solitude you can only find far from our cities. Here's a gorgeous lake with crystal-clear water, surrounded by thick forest. And the best part? No noisy outboard motors here!

Hosmer Lake is tucked away in the Deschutes National Forest, in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor. It's the perfect spot for a day relaxation. The lake was once called "Mud Lake," but was renamed Hosmer Lake in honor of Paul Hosmer, a local writer and naturalist.

The best way to explore this 160-acre lake is by canoe or kayak. The five-mile-long coastline around the lake has many marshy spots that are difficult to navigate on foot.

Motorized boats are not allowed on this lake, which makes it nice and peaceful. While electric motors are allowed, but most folks simply bring their kayaks and canoes for a quiet paddle.

The waters of Hosmer are crystal-clear, and you'll even be able to see some of the large fish who call this lake home swimming around beneath your kayak.

Speaking of fish, Hosmer Lake is a fly-fishing-only lake. It's full of rainbow trout, brook trout, and Atlantic salmon.

Explore along Quinn Creek to see a pretty little waterfall.

Wildlife abounds here. You're certain to see tons of birds, including ducks, woodpeckers, jays, hummingbirds, and more. Other wildlife includes Rocky Mountain elk and even an occasional black bear.

This pretty lake is the perfect place to make memories that will last a lifetime.

At the end of the day, retire to a campsite at either South Campground or Mallard Marsh Campground. You'll find both on the south end of the lake.

At night, this is a spectacular place to witness the star-filled heavens overhead.

For more information and directions to the lake, visit the forest service's webpage for Hosmer Lake.

Oregon's national forests are just chock-full of beautiful spots. Here's a hike that will take you to a hidden oasis in the Willamette National Forest.