This one is considerably further out, but if you can camp the night and make a day of it at the beach, DO IT.
The nine-mile-long Detroit Lake coils around arching tree-covered hills and boasts some great views of Mount Jefferson. It's isolated and majestic and one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
The lake was built as a reservoir so water levels fluctuate, but when full it reaches 400 feet deep and offers 30+ miles of shoreline. As such, this is a bomb spot for summer fun!
Swim, boat, fish, kayak, or just feel the sun on your face and listen to the waves and the wind bristling through the mountains. For Midwesterners like us, we felt almost as if we were frolicking in Costa Rica!
(Fun fact: Much of this community also originally hailed from the Midwest, hence the chosen name of Detroit Lake!)
We brought our kayaks to Mongold Day Use Area and soon set our sights on the opposite bank, which turned out to be the Southshore Campground.
It didn't seem too far. It was hot and the sun was high, after all.
Turned out to be slightly further than we imagined, but upon reaching the shore we were newly thrilled and refreshed, with our new vantage point of the mountains and new land and shore to explore. Eventually, it was time to turn back. It's always harder on the way back...
Well, this venture became the hardest kayaking adventure of my life, as the wind and current seemed to both go into overdrive and turn on us on our way back. With every push forward, a strong breeze blasted us back, and we couldn't talk or pause for fear of losing ground.
Phew, after much exertion and a wee bit of panic WE MADE IT!
(At least this time we weren't fighting the sunset, too!)
If you have time, check out the nearby and totally breathtaking hike to Triangulation Peak!
Distance from Portland: 2 hours / 100 miles
Note: This area was deeply affected by the 2020 wildfires. Check out their website for updates.
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