8 Best Lakeside Towns in Oregon
Oregon has an unusually high number of towns built directly along lakes and reservoirs, spread from the coast to the eastern edge of the Cascades. These bodies of water vary widely in size and character, from large inland lakes to smaller basins tucked into forested valleys and coastal lowlands.
While much of the state’s population is concentrated around Portland and the Willamette Valley, many smaller towns have developed directly along these lakes. In this list, we focus on a selection of Oregon towns where the lake is central to daily life, public access, and local recreation.
Lakeside
Just near the coast is the city of Lakeside, which has North Tenmile Lake on the southern end of town and Eel Lake and Hall Lake on the northern ends. The Lakeside Marina is the only year-round full-service marina on North Tenmile Lake and provides boat owners and renters with the necessary maintenance facilities. It also allows people to explore the waters of the Tenmile Lakes and go on fishing trips. Wulfy Beach is nearby and offers a small, rugged, sandy beach where visitors can swim and enjoy scenic views of the lush green forests surrounding the lake. Lakeshore Lodge is also nearby, offering a peaceful, relaxing place to spend the night or a weekend by the lake.
Off the coast of Eel Lake is the Eel Lake Trail, a 5.9-mile-long trail that is moderately challenging but offers stunning views of the lake and the forest around it. People can go fishing, canoeing, sailing, and boating in Eel Lake, as well as explore the William M. Tugman State Park. When exploring the park, people can go camping, birdwatching, and hiking.
Klamath Falls
On the southern end of Upper Klamath Lake and along nearby Lake Ewauna is the city of Klamath Falls. Nicknamed the “City of Sunshine,” it is known for the landscapes and mountains surrounding the city and serves as a gateway to Crater Lake National Park. The Pelican Marina is a family-owned boat dealership that has been in the city since 1958 and provides full service for all kinds of boats. The Harbor Links Golf Course offers views of Upper Klamath Lake, along with ponds and 18 holes to play, making it one of the notable courses in the southern part of the state.
Link River connects Upper Klamath Lake to Lake Ewauna, where people can walk, run, and bike on the Wingwatchers Trail. The 2.5-mile trail features more than 1,500 planted trees, shrubs, and other plants that provide shelter for wildlife, including bald eagles that utilize the region’s wetlands for foraging between November and April. Veterans Memorial Park sits on the shore of Lake Ewauna in downtown Klamath Falls and honors those who served, with names displayed on engraved bricks. Visitors can also enjoy views of the surrounding landscape while stopping for coffee or lunch nearby.
Florence
Florence is yet another delightful coastal city in the state, with numerous lakes nearby: Munsel Lake, Ackerley Lake, Clear Lake, Collard Lake, Mercer Lake, and Sutton Lake. The Siuslaw National Forest surrounds Sutton Lake, and visitors can enjoy dazzling views of the water, hike on trails, birdwatch, and access the Sutton Lake Boat Ramp for a day on the water. On the western shore of Mercer Lake, the Mercer Lake Resort offers its guests cozy cabins with lake views, spaces for RVs, and is set in a perfect spot for rainbow trout fishing, with its own small beach and dock.
Munsel Lake Landing is a public ramp used for people looking to explore the waters from dawn until dusk, and is a great place to go fishing for trout or bass, swimming, and kayaking. After a day on the water or trails, people often head to Bay Street in Old Town Florence for local restaurants such as the Waterfront Depot Restaurant or 1285 Restobar, where fresh seafood and Pacific Northwest cuisine are local favorites.
Detroit
The small, quaint city of Detroit is a nature lover's paradise, as the Detroit Lake is nearby, along with access to Mount Jefferson of the Cascade Mountain Range. The Mongold Day Use Area is 1.5 miles west of the Detroit Lake Recreation Area, and contains the only public boat launch facility on the lake for people to enjoy a glorious day on the lake. Not too far away is the Tumble Ridge Trailhead, a 9.8-mile trail that may be challenging but offers hikers stunning views of Detroit Lake. The best times to visit the trail are from May to October. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but they must be on a leash.
Kane's Marina provides exceptional service for residents and visitors, providing seasonal and overnight moorage for boats ranging from 15' to 45'. The Marina can hold up to 380 boats and is open from April 15th to September 15th. Although not near any water, the Bear Grass Lodge provides visitors to the area with a cozy place to spend the night or a weekend while visiting the lake and/or hiking the trailheads. Detroit Lake is a 14-minute walk away from the lodge and is pet-friendly. Locals and visitors also grab meals in town at places like Connor’s BBQ or enjoy simple bites from the marina food cart overlooking the water, making dining part of the lakeside experience.
Lake Oswego
Just eight miles south of Portland is the city of Lake Oswego, which surrounds Oswego Lake, a largely private lake with limited public access. A lovely place to dine while enjoying elegant views of the lake is Mann’s on the Lake, which serves patrons well-crafted New American cuisine in an exquisite setting. Within walking distance of the restaurant is the Lakeshore Inn, a boutique hotel offering rooms with stunning lake and city views. The hotel offers dog-friendly rooms and has a heated lakeside pool.
Near the southern end of town is the Lake Oswego Swim Park, which is open to residents from July 1st until August 31st, with swimming hours between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Picnic tables are in the park, along with swim toys, lounge chairs, certified lifeguards, and inner tubes. On the northern end of town is Millennium Plaza Park, which has a boat launch on the lower end, along with a pergola fireplace, a reflecting pond, and a paved plaza.
Lincoln City
Just 25 miles north of Newport is Lincoln City, which is between the Pacific Ocean and Devils Lake, making the community an outdoor haven. Regatta Park, situated on the northern shores of Devils Lake, is a wonderful park for families, as there's a playground, the unique Oregon Heritage tree (named Nuu-k’wii-daa-naa~-ye’—“Our Ancestor”), and a place to go swimming in the lake. On the southern end of the lake is the Devil's Lake State Recreation Area, which consists of a campground on the western shore, and the eastern part is a day-use park, with a boat launch for paddlers, fishing, and boating.
Another trail to see is the Devil's Lake Boardwalk Trail, a 0.4-mile route that offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding natural scenery. Although Sailor Jack's Oceanfront Inn isn't directly on Devils Lake, it is within walking distance of the lake and offers breathtaking ocean views, lovely rooms to unwind in, beach access, gas fireplaces, and jacuzzi tubs.
Joseph
In the northeastern part of the state is the nature-oriented city of Joseph, which has access to Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa Mountains. On the shores of the lake is the Trouthaven Resort, a rustic resort offering its guests cabins with lodge interiors, offering boat rentals for those wanting to explore the lake, has a dock, basketball, ping pong, natural trails, and much more. On the northern end of the lake is the Wallowa Lake State Park, which has a small beach, spots for fishing, and a boat launch. People can also go camping near the park, but reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
At the eastern end of the lake is the East Moraine Western Trailhead, a 3.9-mile trail that offers hikers alluring views of the lake. However, it passes through private property, so people must be respectful of homeowners' privacy. At the south end of the lake is the Wallowa Lake Marina, which opens mid-May through mid-September, when it closes for the season. During the season, the marina serves as the primary hub for water recreation in the northeastern part of the state, offering boat launches, boat rentals, a marina store, and an excellent spot to gather for fishing expeditions.
Sweet Home
Just 40 to 44 miles north of Eugene is the city of Sweet Home, which is near the Foster Reservoir. The Foster Lake Inn is situated on the southern end of the reservoir, offering incredible natural views of the reservoir and surrounding forests. It features a lodge-style interior and rooms, as well as easygoing amenities for guests to enjoy. Next door to the Inn is the Dam Bar, where patrons can enjoy tasty bar food, drinks, and local live musical performances.
On the north shore of the reservoir, just outside of Sweet Home, is Lewis Creek Park, where people can swim, enjoy natural trails, take in the fascinating views, and go paddling and boating, as there is a dock nearby.
Final Thoughts
Oregon’s lakeside towns offer a wide range of experiences shaped by water access, surrounding landscapes, and year-round communities. From larger hubs like Klamath Falls and Lake Oswego to smaller towns such as Detroit and Joseph, each location connects daily life with nearby lakes or reservoirs in a distinct way. Together, these towns highlight how lakes influence recreation, settlement, and livability across the state, offering meaningful places to visit and, in many cases, to call home.
