CRATER LAKE/KLAMATH FALLS OR OTHER GREAT OREGON SPOTS

[jec2]

Anyone been to Crater Lake (OR)? Any suggetions on places to stay? Thinking a small cabin near the water. We will be going for our anniversary in September and will have Finn with us and he'll be about 11 months then so we don't want anything too baby unfriendly. We will probably do a Road Trip.

Or, if you have any other easy to get to and relaxing Oregon destinations would love to hear about them. DH I have a pact that every anniversary we will visit a different state. This year I think it's Oregon's turn :) We've been to Portland already and DH doesn't want to go for our Anniversary. I've been to Ashland when I was a kid and also camped along the coast. We are thinking that since we live 2 minutes from the ocean, doing the oregon coast isn't that important and plus, since we have no real swimming lakes here in Santa Barbara and I love to lake swim (or river swim) that is key.

[JElaineB]

I've been there, but it was 12-13 years ago and I don't remember much. I just went for a day trip (I lived in Corvallis, OR at the time). When you say small cabin near the water, do you mean the actual lake itself? I don't recall any place to stay right on the lake itself. We did do a boat tour of the lake, that was pretty neat. I do remember there was a lodge type place that they were just reopening then that looked really nice, that was up near the rim of the lake I think. There was a campground lower down, somewhat away from the lake. I don't know if they have a swimming area or not. September might be a little late for swimming there anyway, since it is pretty high up. You might want to double check on that. I think the two best months to go are probably July and August but I'm sure it will still be nice in September.

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02

[Karenn]

Oh! Stay in the lodge! It's GOREGEOUS! The room we had overlooked the lake with a view of the mountains. Plus, there was a claw foot bathtub that sat in the window so that you could soak in the tub and enjoy the view. The lodge is RIGHT on the lake so privacy was ensured. :) It was really one of my favorite places!

Of course now that I've just gushed about Crater Lake, I'm realizing that we were there before Colin and I have no idea how toddler friendly it might be! The lodge really is beautiful, but might be more suited to a romantic get away than a family vacation -I really don't remember. My brain just wasn't in baby mode when we were there!

[sadie427]

If you have your heart set on swimming in the lake you should double check that you are allowed to swim in it, and that it isn't too cold. I've been there and loved it, and did take a boat trip--but I don't remember swimming in it, I can't remember why. Perhaps someone here knows. I camped, so I can't help you with accomodation advice. I love that part of Oregon. Both times we did Ashland in the same trip, you can combine them.

[jec2]

Mmm, I never considered that one would not be permitted to swim in the lake or one of the surrounding lakes such as Klamath. We have a lake near where I live and while you can take oily, gassy motorboats in it, you cannot swim in it. Not even put your toe as it is a resevoir for our town. That is why I long for lakes or rivers for my vacations. I'll have to check more into this.

Swimming in a Mt. Lake or river is what I grew up doing in Washington, so I hope that the lakes in S. Oregon would be just as refreshing ;)

[smkinc]

I'm a native Oregonian and grew up in Klamath Falls (now live in Corvallis)--feel free to PM me and I can help you pick a destination.

To answer some of your initial questions--I don't think you can swim in Crater Lake (and even if you could I think the water would be way too cold--there's snow on the ground at Crater Lake for most of the year).


Mary
Mom to Jeremiah 2/4/03
and our 'first' Curie (6 year old Golden Retriever)

Edited--I re-read your post and saw when you are planning to visit.

[jec2]

Wow, if there is snow on the ground year round, definately don't want to be swimming. I don't mind "cool" but I am not a polar bear.


Thanks for your offer to help with our destination. I'll try to get an email to you today--most likely this evening.