Lake County: High Desert, Lakes and History

Lake County lies in the high-desert region known as the Oregon Outback, on the northwestern edge of the Great Basin. Between lakes, volcanic formations, protected areas and historic sites, it offers a destination of unusual contrasts. Near Plush, you can even collect your own sunstones from the natural surroundings in the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area—an experience that makes the character of this landscape immediately tangible.

Lakes, Wetlands and Wide-Open Landscapes

The Warner Wetlands form a 40-mile chain of lakes whose waters are separated from one another by crescent-shaped dunes. Summer Lake also defines the region: the high-desert basin is framed by the 3,000-foot escarpment of Winter Rim. At Lake Abert, landscape and birdlife come together. The hypersaline lake serves as an important stopover for migratory birds during the spring and fall migrations, while Abert Rim supports significant populations of nesting raptors. In the Summer Lake Wildlife Area, tens of thousands of migratory birds find a resting place along the Pacific Flyway in spring and fall.

Those who want to explore larger protected areas will find a 270,000-acre habitat for mule deer, bighorn sheep and upland birds at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. A natural hot spring is also located there, at the eastern foot of Warner Peak. The Fremont-Winema National Forest covers large parts of Lake County and encompasses nearly 2.3 million acres of ponderosa pines, firs and alpine lakes. There, camping at alpine lakes, trout fishing and hikes to fire lookout towers can form different parts of a trip.

History and Unusual Places

At Fort Rock State Natural Area, you can hike around Fort Rock. The circular volcanic formation rises nearly 200 feet above the desert with its rocky walls. Fort Rock formed as an ancient tuff ring in a prehistoric shallow sea and is designated a National Natural Landmark. At Fort Rock Cave, landscape and archaeology come together: the site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and is also a National Heritage Site. It is associated with sandals made from sagebrush dating back more than 9,000 years. Visits are possible only as part of a guided tour offered by the state park; reservations are required.

The Paisley Caves in northern Lake County also reach far back into the past. Archaeological remains dating to 14,300 calendar years before present, from the period before the Clovis culture, were found there. The Fort Rock Valley Homestead Museum offers another way to explore history with a self-guided tour covering the homestead era of the early 20th century. The Fort Rock Valley Homestead Village Museum also preserves the cabins, church and schoolhouse of the early settlers in Lake County. The Lake County Round-Up has become a fixture of Labor Day.

Trails, Viewpoints and Seasonal Experiences

You can reach the viewpoints on Winter Rim by car or on foot; from there, panoramic views open across the Summer Lake basin. At the Hart Bar Interpretive Site, a short 0.8-mile trail leads to an observation blind. For experienced paddlers, the 10-mile Warner Valley Canoe Trail is open during wet years. The Fremont National Recreation Trail runs along the crest of the Warner Mountains and offers views of the playas of Summer Lake and Silver Lake.

Longer excursions can also be included in your plans: the Oregon Timber Trail is a 670-mile mountain-bike route through the backcountry that runs across the entire length of the state and begins in the Fremont Tier of Lake County. The Oregon Outback Scenic Byway runs 171 miles through the Great Basin and ends about 15 miles, or 24.1 kilometers, south of Lakeview at the border community of New Pine Creek. When snow falls, Warner Canyon Ski Hill offers downhill, Nordic and backcountry skiing; the adjacent trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Choose the Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When searching for a vacation apartment or vacation home in Lake County, it helps to first determine the focus of your trip. Wildlife watching, historic sites, viewpoints, paddling, cycling and winter activities call for different daily itineraries. For night-sky viewing, the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary offers a special point of reference: it covers more than 2.5 million acres in Lake County and is rated Bortle Class 1. Families can choose between short observation stops, self-guided museum visits and longer excursions without making every day the same.

As additional destinations for your trip planning, you can consider Lakeview and Silver Lake. For further regional orientation, you can also find Coos County, Deschutes, Jefferson County, Wallowa County, Benton and Lane.

For the broader travel overview: Oregon.