Goodbye Crater Lake, So Long Wallowa Lake: Oregon's Unsung Boating And Fishing Paradise Has Scenic Canyon Views

Oregon has a well-deserved reputation as one of America's premier states for outdoor adventure. As beautiful as Oregon is, however, most of that reputation centers around its majestic Cascade Mountains and its ethereal coastline. The large chunk of the state east of the Cascades tends to get less attention. Which is a shame, because central Oregon has plenty of amazing natural wonders that are as worth a visit as Mount Hood or Cannon Beach. Lake Billy Chinook is one such underrated gem in central Oregon. Though it lacks some of the wide recognition given to Crater Lake and Wallowa Lake, Lake Billy Chinook is a unique showcase of a side of Oregon fewer travelers get to see. 

Lake Billy Chinook is located in the vast plains and river lands east of Oregon's Cascades, about 56 miles north of Bend. The lake's location within central Oregon gives it a background setting a bit different from the lush Pacific Northwest forests that make Oregon so famous. Instead of towering evergreen trees and fern-lined woodlands, Lake Billy Chinook sits within a volcanic rock canyon more indicative of the rugged deserts of Utah and Arizona than the Pacific Northwest. Despite its rugged scenery, Lake Billy Chinook sits at the intersection of a top Oregon state park and a top Oregon U.S. Forest Service site, giving visitors diverse lodging options like cabin rentals, houseboats, and developed campgrounds. And like Oregon's most famous recreational lakes, Lake Billy Chinook is also a prime spot for boating and fishing excursions in the midst of gorgeous canyon scenery. 

There's no great mystery why Oregon treasures like Crater Lake draw so much attention. After all, Crater Lake is not only America's deepest lake, but it's also an unsurpassed sightseeing attraction thanks to national park infrastructure like Crater Lake National Park's Scenic Rim Drive past Oregon's highest peaks. Still, Crater Lake crowds can easily drive travelers in search of one of Oregon's many other impressive lakes. Scenery-wise, Lake Billy Chinook is a perfect Crater Lake alternative. Named for a Wasco Native American who accompanied John C. Fremont's 1843 expedition through the area, Lake Billy Chinook covers nearly 4,000 acres and reaches depths of 415 feet. Though its name harkens back to the 19th century, Lake Billy Chinook actually originated in 1965 following the construction of the Round Butte Dam. 

Since the dam connects to three different Oregon rivers, Lake Billy Chinook features three distinctive "arms" extending into each river system. Together, these arms have a total of 72 miles of shoreline. Of the three constituent rivers, Oregon's mighty Deschutes River forms the main foundation of the Round Butte Dam, while the attached Metolius and Crooked rivers are famous for rugged scenery and water recreation. 

Parts of the lake's river systems are within the U.S. Forest Service's Crooked River National Grassland, while much of the lake's canyon-lined shores are in Oregon's ethereal Crater Lake alternative: The Cove Palisades State Park. Cove Palisades in particular is a jewel of Oregon's High Desert, with monumental rocky canyons along the Deschutes and Crooked rivers converging at Lake Billy Chinook's shores. The canyons surrounding the lake are made of striking basalt rock from Oregon's volcanic history, and many of the canyon cliffs feature astounding hoodoos and other strange geological formations.

While the more famous Wallowa Lake is known as a prime Oregon spot for boating, fishing, and swimming, Lake Billy Chinook offers striking canyon sightseeing trails alongside its water recreation. The Cove Palisades State Park's 6.7-mile Tam-a-lau Trail has spectacular views of the lakeside cliffs, canyon walls, and rocky plateaus. Cyclists can enjoy the 30-mile Madres Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway from Lake Billy Chinook and its associated river canyons into the vast Crooked River National Grassland. Beyond canyon views, Lake Billy Chinook is a prime Oregon spot for birdwatching. 

Of course, water recreation is the main attraction of a lake, and Lake Billy Chinook does not disappoint. Boaters have access to three boat launches at the Lower Deschutes, Upper Deschutes, and Crooked River day-use areas. Guests can also rent boats (or water skis, tubes, jet skis, etc.) at the Cove Palisades Resort and Marina on the lake's Crooked River arm. Lake Billy Chinook also offers unforgettable paddling adventures that will appeal to beginners and experts alike. The 6-mile Crooked River Water Trail is a perfect paddling route for exploring the lake's volcanic cliffs (and even some submerged historic sites from before the lake's creation).

Lake Billy Chinook's size means premier fishing opportunities. Shore fishing, boat fishing, fly fishing, and trolling are all allowed at the lake. Lake Billy Chinook is most famous for its trophy bull trout (particularly at the lake's Metolius River arm), which are among the largest in the world. Visitors have even caught bull trout weighing more than 20 pounds! Anglers and trollers alike will appreciate the kokanee salmon that call these waters home. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout are also found here, as are large populations of catchable crawfish.