Spend The Day On This Overlooked Oregon Lake To Get Away From It All
By Catherine Armstrong|Published September 03, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
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.
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.
