Oregon's Secret Lake State Park Offers A Canyon Desert Utopia With Secluded Waters And Scenic Views

Oregon is one of the first states that comes to mind when people picture "amazing American destinations for outdoor recreation." With its stupendous Cascade Mountains and breathtaking Pacific Northwest forests, Oregon has more natural wonders than your average state. Iconic spots like Crater Lake, Mount Hood, and Cannon Beach are well-known in the outdoor community for their superb recreational options and picture-perfect views. You can even find underrated gems across the state, like the "Niagara Falls of Oregon" at Siuslaw National Forest's twin waterfalls. But while Oregon has plenty of lesser-known outdoor destinations, a smaller number showcase sides of the state few outside of local communities ever get to experience. Enter Lake Owyhee State Park. 

Like every other Oregon state park, Lake Owyhee offers enchanting landscapes and unforgettable recreational activities. But Lake Owyhee stands out for the type of landscape it epitomizes. Unlike the gorgeous deciduous forests, snow-capped Cascade peaks, and pristine beaches found elsewhere in the state, Lake Owyhee State Park protects a complex of intricate canyons and desert scenery that look more reminiscent of Utah than the Pacific Northwest. And with a secret lake in the middle of a surprisingly arid region, Lake Owyhee is living proof that Oregon's natural wonders extend ever further than the world-class forests and mountain scenes it's become so famous for. 

Lake Owyhee State Park sits in an overlooked eco-region known as Oregon's "High Desert." This large and relatively flat region of southeastern Oregon features much more arid plains and shrublands, more indicative of a desert than the mighty forests further west. Lake Owyhee in particular sits in Oregon's far eastern corridor, just west of the state's border with Idaho. As such, its landscape resembles that of Idaho and northern Nevada more than anything around Portland or Klamath Falls. But this remote location has its advantages. Not only does it mean that the park's out-of-this-world landscape is largely free of excessive development, but the entire region and neighboring "Oregon Outback" are the country's largest dark sky sanctuary for light pollution-free stargazing!

Lake Owyhee State Park centers around its namesake Lake Owyhee, a 52-mile-long reservoir running through the high desert landscape thanks to the nearby Owyhee Dam. The state park section sits along the eastern edge of the reservoir, where the stunning canyon formations plunge into the lake's blue waters. This gives the park unforgettable views of some of the high desert's most distinctive rock pinnacles reflecting in the water below. The stark canyon walls and mountainous terrain surrounding the lake make for some impressive geological expeditions, especially since many of the park's most unique landforms are only visible from the water. 

But even from the park's main Gordon Gulch Day-use Area, you can take in sublime scenery that looks straight out of a painting. Lake Owyhee is also a great destination for wildlife viewing. In addition to the many bird species that make it a haven for birdwatching, the park is home to pronghorn, coyotes, mule deer, wild horses, bighorn sheep, and maybe even mountain lions!

Despite having much different natural qualities, Lake Owyhee State Park matches other Oregon parks for superb camping and outdoor recreation. The park has two different, well-maintained camping areas: the McCormack Campground (open from April 10 to October 30) and the Indian Creek Campground (open from November 1 through April 9). Lake Owyhee's comprehensive camping options include tent sites, cozy cabins, electrical hookups, and accessible areas for people with disabilities. The Lake Owyhee RV Park is a convenient overnight spot for RV owners. And for more unique camping experiences, Lake Owyhee takes a page from Oregon's Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort with bookable tepee sleeping options!

The Gordon Gulch Day-use Area and both campgrounds have boat launches for boaters, canoers, and kayakers. This is good news, since Lake Owyhee's peaceful waters and otherworldly geological scenery make it the perfect spot for an extraordinary day out on the water. If you're also looking for the next "catch of the day," the lake is a top spot for fishing, with healthy reserves of popular sport fish like black crappie and bass. Even if you don't have a boat or fishing gear, Lake Owyhee is one of Oregon's best spots for freshwater swimming!

Due to Lake Owyhee's location in far eastern Oregon, getting there may be a bit of a haul. By car, the park is about a seven-hour drive from Portland. However, with the Idaho border just a short distance away, the park is only about two hours from Boise. But even if you have to spend a few hours in the car, Lake Owyhee may be worth it! After all, the one-of-a-kind scenery of Oregon's high desert makes Lake Owyhee State Park the perfect destination for an epic road trip adventure!