Between Crater Lake National Park And The California Border Is A Clear Pacific Northwest Gem To Fish And Hike At

Home to the deepest lake in the United States, Oregon's Crater Lake National Park needs no introduction. Here, rain and snowmelt fill a basin almost 2,000 feet deep, creating a body of water famed for its impossible clarity. But the Cascade Range hides many more pristine bodies of water, spanning northern California and the Pacific Northwest. One secluded gem that earns high praise from anglers and wilderness seekers is Fourmile Lake. 

Situated in Fremont-Winema National Forest's Sky Lakes Wilderness, Fourmile Lake lies in southern Oregon just north of the Oregon-California border about an hour from Medford. Dense stands of lodgepole pines surround the water, their bleached trunks lining the rocky shore, while snow-capped Mt. McLaughlin towers in the distance. Built in 1906, this reservoir isn't the kind of place where jet skis run wild, and you could easily go your entire trip without seeing other people. Fourmile Lake doesn't quite live up to its moniker as it measures closer to 3 miles long, but in terms of enjoyment it hardly comes up short.

Visitors on Google Maps award the lake 4.3 stars, praising the cleanliness while warning others about the $10 per car day-use fee. The lake is primarily a summer and early fall destination due to its dirt access road becoming impassable the rest of the year. Regardless of the season, having your own wheels is essential and rental cars are available at southern Oregon's air hub, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR).

Covering 740 acres when full, Fourmile Lake is a fantastic fly-fishing retreat. Kokanee salmon, brook trout, and lake trout all call the waters home, but the lake is especially well-known for its big rainbow trout. The lake is frequently stocked from June to August, and the waters stay productive during the summer months thanks to the lake's elevation at 5,748 feet.

Both motorized and non-motorized crafts are permitted, and there's a boat launch at the Forest Service campground. However, visitors advise some caution is needed. "Be careful at the very shallow boat launch. There is no ramp, no dock, and with a larger boat the truck is going to have to back down the gravel and probably get the front tires wet," warns a local fisherman on The Bulletin. Even without a boat, visitors can still find bank fishing spots, but a boat certainly opens up a lot more territory. Although many people choose to go it alone, half- and full-day fishing tours are available with Mountain Trout Outfitters. 

Visitors consistently note the water's cleanliness and overall clarity, which is due in part to its alpine location. Every year, pristine snowmelt flows in from Mount McLaughlin and the Cascade Range, filtering through ancient volcanic rock beneath the ground. As the lake is technically a reservoir, water levels change throughout the year. Your best bet to experience the lake at its most beautiful is to check the water level via Lake Brief and plan your trip when there's plenty of water.

One of the best ways to experience Fourmile Lake is by camping at Fourmile Lake Campground, a 29-site campground for tents, RVs, and equestrians which is run by the Forest Service. You won't find electricity or cell service, and pit-toilets are part of the deal, but it's the price you pay for drop-dead gorgeous lake views. From here, hike or backpack into the surrounding Sky Lakes Wilderness, stargaze, spot wildlife, or simply soak up the lake's beauty. However, as you're truly in the wilderness make sure to follow these park ranger tips for staying safe while hiking.

Situated next to the campground is Fourmile Lake Trailhead, which is the starting-off point for 12 miles of a trail that goes around the entire lake . Alternatively, Badger Lake Trail also departs from the same trailhead and leads into Sky Lakes Wilderness. Generally considered a moderate hike, the trail offers breathtaking views of Mt. McLaughlin for hikers and horseback riders as it passes by lodgepole pines and several alpine lakes. The trip to Long Lake is around 9 miles round-trip, but backpackers can continue on to the Pacific Crest Trail (a route hikers will have to skip part of in 2026).

Adventurers can also embark on the 6-mile Twin Ponds Trail from Fourmile Lake , which follows an 1860s-era supply road through open meadows and mature trees. For a lake retreat with cabins and a few more amenities, visit neighboring Lake of the Woods for mountain camping and fishing.