Clear Lake

  • Easy
  • 5.5-mile loop
  • 200 feet elevation gain
  • Open May to mid-November
  • Use: hikers, bicycles


Three thousand years ago lava flows from the High Cascades dammed the McKenzie River, creating a lake so clear, cold, and calm that ghostly tree snags are still visible under its 100-foot-deep waters. The stroll around Clear Lake offers lots of variety: huge springs, lava crossings, old-growth forests—even a rustic resort with a cafe. Start by driving Highway …

Other Options

For a longer hike, combine this loop with …


This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Central Oregon Cascades.