The Longest And Largest Artificial Lake Entirely In Oregon Is A Secluded Desert Escape With Fishing And Boating

Rugged seashores, volcanic summits, evergreen woods, roaring rivers; when it comes to natural wonders, Oregon is beyond blessed. One of the Beaver State's biggest draws is its wealth of incredible landscapes, which range from lush western forests and wild canyons to high deserts. However, there are a few constructed outdoor marvels that can hold their own against the organic, all-natural scenery, and one of those is the Owyhee Reservoir.

Located in eastern Oregon's far-flung Owyhee Canyonlands, near the Idaho border, Owyhee Reservoir (also known as Lake Owyhee) is 53 miles long, making it the longest artificial lake in the state. It's also the largest fake lake entirely in Oregon by area (Brownlee Reservoir, which sits along the Oregon-Idaho border, is larger). Fed by the Owyhee River (named after an early 19th-century variation of the name "Hawaii"), the lake was created in 1932 when the river was dammed. Now, it's a popular spot for year-round outdoor recreation like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping at the lake's namesake state park. Anglers come to try their luck at hooking some of the lake's warmwater fish like largemouth bass, while campers and boaters get to admire the stark volcanic cliffs and dramatic rock formations rimming the edge of the lake. The state park's campgrounds also serve as a nice basecamp for exploring the surrounding desert, which has scenic hikes and drives through painted canyons and gorges like Leslie Gulch and the Succor Creek State Natural Area.

One of the most popular reasons to visit Owyhee Reservoir? Boating. As much of the lake is inaccessible by road, boating is the best way to admire the reservoir's stark cliffs and rock formations. The northern end is the main access area, with three different boat launches in the scenic and secluded Lake Owyhee State Park. There is also one boat launch further south at Leslie Gulch, but it's much more isolated and harder to reach. Water levels may impact whether launch ramps are open or not, so be sure to check the Bureau of Reclamation's Lake Owyhee page before arriving. Along with motorboats, the lake is also open to canoes, kayaks, and smaller crafts. For any type of craft up to 10 feet or longer, a Waterway Access Permit is required. If you're lucky, you may spot wildlife like golden eagles and pronghorn antelope.

Boating is also one of the best ways to partake in Owyhee Reservoir's other most popular pastime: fishing. While there are some spots to fish along the lake's shore, boat angling is the way to go. The lake's warm waters teem with a variety of non-native fish species like crappie, catfish, yellow perch, both small- and largemouth bass, and the odd rainbow trout. With almost 14,000 acres of water available, anglers have plenty of space to spread out. Mornings and evenings are the ideal times to fish, and different areas of the lake are best suited for different kinds of fish. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has the full rundown on where (and when) to search for different species, as well as technique tips. Since this is the desert, droughts often lower lake levels, which can impact fishing access and quality. If water levels are low, it's best to wait a few weeks for them to rise and stabilize before planning a fishing foray. You'll also need a fishing license.

Reaching this desert oasis takes a bit of effort, as it's quite remote. Since the northern end of the lake is situated closest to major highways and towns like Ontario, it's the easiest place to access. You can reach the area via Owyhee Lake Road, a narrow and rudimentary route that connects to Owyhee Avenue, which in turn links to OR-201. From the state route junction to the lake's dam at the northern tip, it's a 23-mile drive, which is best taken slowly. As it's a roughly seven-hour drive from Portland, flying into the Boise Airport (BOI) across the border and driving 90 minutes to the lake is the fastest course of action.

If you don't mind taking a longer approach, heading to the lake from southern Oregon has its own upsides. You can go stargazing under the vast, crystal-clear skies of the Oregon Outback — home to the world's biggest Dark Sky Sanctuary — and stay at remote ranches like the cowboy-style Steens Mountain Guest Ranch, before continuing on to Owyhee Reservoir.

Once there, you can get situated at either of the state park's two campgrounds. Indian Creek Campground is year-round, while McCormack Campground is seasonal. If you're not planning on spending the night, there's also the Gordon Gulch Day-use Area. Between the three locations, you'll find tent and RV camping, as well as hot showers, restrooms, dump stations, and picnic areas. For those who don't like to rough it, the Indian Creek campground has two cabins, and — 20 minutes north of the lake — there are bookable yurts at the Owyhee River Ranch. When arriving at the lake's northern tip, be sure to take some time to admire the Owyhee Dam; at the time of construction, it was the tallest dam in the world, and its spillway still makes for exciting viewing when water levels are high.