This Under-The-Radar Lake Is One Of Oregon's Clearest And Most Stunning

The lush forests and spectacular mountains of the Pacific Northwest make a strong case for being the most beautiful landscape in the United States. Nestled among the breathtaking mountains (and active volcanoes) that run from Northern California to British Columbia are abundant parks, forests, and outdoor destinations with superb amenities for outdoor adventurers. Washington has many of the most iconic features in the region, including the diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park. Among its many notable features, Olympic is famous for its stunning Lake Crescent and the spacious and historic Lake Crescent Lodge along its shores. 

But Washington's Lake Crescent is not the only amazing lake in the Pacific Northwest, or even the only amazing "crescent" lake. Further south, Washington's neighbor has its own Crescent Lake that is equally worthy of a visit, despite flying under most travelers' radar. Oregon's Crescent Lake is one of the state's most stunning bodies of water, with clear, blue-green waters, scenic views, and excellent opportunities for camping along its shores. Even better, Crescent Lake and its namesake village sit close to many of Oregon's most picturesque natural wonders, making the lake an ideal starting point for an Oregon wilderness adventure. 

Crescent Lake is located in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, a large preserve in central Oregon and a magnificent display of Oregon's impressive natural features. This includes several notable Cascade Range volcanoes (including the Newberry Volcano and its surrounding national monument), scenic rivers, and rugged wilderness areas. With so many amazing natural resources, Deschutes National Forest is an ideal stop for backpackers and mountaineers looking for an adventure. But its location near Klamath Falls and other popular central Oregon municipalities also makes Deschutes a perfect stop on a scenic road trip of Oregon's top attractions and hidden gems. 

Crescent Lake lies in a lovely basin formed by glacial movement thousands of years ago, leaving behind one of Oregon's most photogenic remnants of past Ice Ages. Even though it's a natural lake, Crescent Lake does include an artificial dam built for irrigation purposes. But the lake's natural qualities remain intact regardless of human infrastructure nearby, and today Crescent Lake is a top-notch destination for anyone looking to escape into nature for a while. 

Of course, the biggest draw of any Crescent Lake excursion is the view. Crescent Lake lies on the eastern side of Oregon's Cascade Mountains, and from its shores, you can get great views of many of Oregon's most scenic peaks. Perhaps the most iconic sight from Crescent Lake is the breathtaking Diamond Peak, a massive shield volcano that dominates the horizon throughout much of Deschutes National Forest. Other prominent mountains you might be able to see from Crescent Lake are the striking Odell Butte and the 7,818-foot Maiden Peak, a shield volcano just as impressive as the neighboring Diamond Peak. 

Crescent Lake is a terrific spot for enjoying the excellent camping opportunities that Oregon is so famous for. At the same time, the lake offers wonderful water recreation amenities found in few other places within the Cascades. Despite the lake's pristine character, Crescent Lake is a top spot in the Deschutes National Forest for swimming, sailing, fishing, windsurfing, and even water skiing!

Crescent Lake's Simax Beach is the lake's main recreational spot, with ample scenic picnicking areas and plenty of excellent opportunities for taking a dip in the lake's gorgeous water. With such amazing water resources and an incredible scenic backdrop, Simax Beach may be the best freshwater beach in Oregon! Reservations for the Simax Beach Picnic Area are only $5 for the entire day for each vehicle, so you and your family can experience the lake's sublime beauty without breaking the bank. The forests surrounding Crescent Lake's main camping areas also contain several miles of easy, but beautiful, hiking trails that travelers of all abilities can enjoy. 

Even though Crescent Lake is such a fine representative of Oregon's pristine wilderness, visitors don't have to leave civilization behind entirely. The nearby small community of Crescent Lake Junction may be one of the most charming lake towns in America. Plus, Crescent Lake's prime spot in Oregon's Klamath County gives lake visitors convenient access to many additional (and more famous) natural wonders nearby. In addition to the sublime mountains and hiking trails of the Deschutes National Forest, Crescent Lake is less than two hours away from a much more famous body of water: Oregon's magnificent Crater Lake National Park.