🏊 Natural Swimming
🟢 Easy $5 day-use fee (Linn County Parks)
🌊 About Clear Lake (McKenzie River headwaters)
A pristine, exceptionally clear lake formed roughly 3,000 years ago by a lava flow that dammed the McKenzie River — famous for visibility so good you can see a preserved submerged forest, but the water is extremely cold.
📋 Visit Details
Entry Fee
$5 day-use fee (Linn County Parks)
Water Temperature
💧 Very cold — famous for extreme clarity and near-freezing temps
Water Type
Spring-formed lake, headwaters of the McKenzie River
Managed By
US Forest Service (Willamette National Forest)
County
Linn County, Oregon
🗺️ Getting There
Address / Access Point:
Clear Lake Resort/Day Use, McKenzie Hwy 126, OR
Access Notes:
Easy 5-mile loop trail around the lake; water clarity reveals a submerged 3,000-year-old forest below
✅ Before You Go — Checklist
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Check current water conditions — especially after recent rain
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Save GPS coordinates offline before leaving — cell service may be limited
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Bring cash or card for entry: $5 day-use fee (Linn County Parks)
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Pack reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, water shoes and plenty of drinking water
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Tell someone where you are going before heading to a remote location
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Pack out everything you bring in — leave no trace