Waldo Lake is surrounded by the gorgeous scenery of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, with deep blue waters surrounded by trees and scenic peaks.
The area is full of recreational opportunities, but before you make your way to the camp at Lake Waldo, you will be prepared for a constant battle against the constant enemy who drove my wife from the camp.
Waldo Lake Information
Waldo Lake sits about 70 miles east of Eugene and just outside the town of Oakridge. A pulse from Eugene, one way 58, pleasant and quite. Turn off 58 to Services Road 5897 for about 12 miles, climbing to an elevation of 5,414 feet. The lake has three campgrounds located on the eastern shore – North Waldo, Islet Campground and Shadow Bay Campground, which is located on the eastern shore of the lake. Campgrounds have water fountains and toilets, as well as boat launches and army camps.
Waldo Lake Positive
The most convenient scene is the camp at Waldo Lake. Bring a camera and/or camcorder to capture the beauty of this area. You will also have access to a few activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding and dining.
The lake itself covers about 10 square miles, with fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, trout and kokanee salmon, among others. Kayaking and rowing are popular sports at Waldo Lake, which only allows non-motorized boats (electric motors are allowed).
The area has more than 40 miles of hiking trails, and miles of designated horseback riding, including nearby Harralson Castles. and rent.
Waldo Lake Negatives
A major drawback of Waldo Lake is its abundance of mosquitoes. In July and August, when the daytime temperatures are warm and the weather is generally the best for camping, mosquitoes are in great abundance. My wife and I camped at Waldo Lake in August of 2009. We had been advised by friends of the mosquito residents there to bring a few extra supplies, but nothing could have been prepared for what we found. As we camped north of Waldo Campground, we couldn’t understand why the entire campground was empty for a week during the summer. We soon learned the answer when we sweltered with mosquitoes in our SUV when we pulled into the chosen field. Having already paid for our spot, we decided that our gear would repel mosquito – repellant spray, candles, smokers. bugs and we want to be good.
No, neither were we.
We endured the attack, encamped, and the small number of bugs, once the smokers had been lighted, did not retire until after sunset. When we woke up the next morning to discover hundreds of mosquitoes hanging outside our tent, waiting for us to leave, we decided to pack up and call it quits.
We enjoyed a pleasant walk of 10 miles, lunched in Damaso on the west side of Lake Waldo, then headed home.
Waldo Lake Tips
If you are going in the summer, then you can be prepared for mosquitoes. Because of the altitude, the Waldo Lake campgrounds get cold at night, even in the summer months, so pack accordingly. The area can be quite cool for the rest of the year, with mosquitoes less of a problem. So either camp in the offseason and be prepared for potentially cold temperatures, or camp in the warmer months and be prepared for mosquitoes.
If you’re going in the summer, make sure to camp by the lake itself, where you’ll have far fewer bugs to contend with. Pack comfortable shoes or hiking boots so you can use the many trails in the area, and bring fishing gear. and a non-motorized boat, if you have one, so you can see the full beauty of the lake.
Sources:
Waldo Lake, Explore Central Oregon
Waldo Lake Area, USDA Forest Service
Waldo Lake, Wikipedia
