Crescent Lake

Locations

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Crescent Lake: Description

Crescent Lake is nestled in the Oregon Cascade Range, nearly a mile high, with deep, clear blue waters. With over 4000 surface acres to 'play on', visitors enjoy year round activities including fishing, boating, camping, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking and more. Crescent Lake is an outdoor lover's delight for visitors wanting a relaxing vacation in the fresh mountain air. Campgrounds and an historic lodge provide a marvelous range of accommodations, supplies and equipment for everyone. Crescent Lake is located southwest from Bend, Oregon - about an hour and a half drive.

Crescent Lake Dam is owned and operated by the Tumalo Irrigation District to supply irrigation water to over 8,000 acres of land through a series of canals, pipelines and distribution lateral ditches. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has supplied assistance in rehabilitating various project facilities and built a new Crescent Lake Dam in 1986. The dam impounds water primarily from the Deschutes River with smaller amounts from four other creeks. The new dam impounds up to 86,900 acre-feet and the dam crest was repaired and brought up to grade in 1998.

Crescent Lake fishing means 'big fish' and is one of the main activities for visitors. Anglers will find Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Mackinaw (Lake Trout) and Kokanee Salmon and maybe a state record for any of them. The action is superb, and Crescent Lake is a favorite of Central Oregon locals with the chance of landing a record catch. Fishing is open year round and a huge drawing card for the lake. Boats, moorage, supplies and a launch area are available at Crescent Lake Resort.

There are six campgrounds around Crescent Lake, open from April to October, with individual sites, group sites, and a horse camp. All have toilets and water. Geocaching aficionados will find caches within a five mile area of Crescent Lake. There are major snowmobile trails, groomed from Crater Lake to Mount Bachelor, for winter enthusiasts.

Crescent Lake has something for everyone - boating, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, winter sports and just the pure outdoor enjoyment of nature make this a 'must do' in Oregon.