This is the headwaters for the beautiful McKenzie River. The lake was formed about 3,000 years ago when the Little Nash Crater erupted sending lava and volcanic ash from the eruption down into the valley. The river that flowed through the valley was dammed by the lava and the forest that was in the valley now rests at the bottom of the lake. Some of the preserved trees can still be be seen today. Clear Lake is fed by several underwater springs and the temperature of the lake stays between 34 and 38 degrees all year. It never freezes over because of the extreme amount of water fed daily into the lake by the springs.
There is a Resort onsite with rustic cabins and some small RV sites without hookups. A small restuarant, general store, boat ramp, boat rentals (no motors allowed)
No Telephone
Clear Lake Resort
Cold Water Cove Campground is located at the far end of the lake.
Cold Water Cove Campground
Other nearby Campgrounds:
Ollalie Campground
Big Lake Campground
From Portland
It is about 174 miles from the Portland/Vancouver area. It is easiest to come down I-5 to Salem, Take Highway 22 east (approx 82 miles) to Highway 20. Travel a brief distance West on Highway 20 towards Sweet Home/Albany, then turn south on Highway 126 towards Eugene. Clear Lake Resort is on the left hand side of the road about 4 miles down Highway 126.
For GPS and Google Earth junkies the coordinates are:
44 22'35"N, 121 59'60"W