Staring out across the chunky lava field toward Clear Lake, I tried to picture this spot 3,000 years ago. Back then, there was no lake, no lava field—just the McKenzie River flowing peacefully through an ancient forest. When massive lava flows dammed the river three millennia ago, Clear Lake grew behind the natural lava dam, and that ancient forest disappeared beneath the rising waters.
But here’s the incredible part: the forest is still there. Clear Lake’s frigid water preserves the submerged trees so well that this underwater forest remains virtually intact after thousands of years, creating one of Oregon’s most unique and fascinating hiking destinations.
What Makes Oregon’s Clear Lake Hike So Special
Oregon’s Clear Lake hike offers a rare combination of geological wonder, pristine wilderness, and accessible adventure. This remarkable destination showcases the dramatic results of ancient volcanic activity while providing hikers with spectacular waterfalls, crystal-clear lake views, and the chance to witness one of nature’s most unusual preservation phenomena.
The Clear Lake underwater forest creates an experience unlike any other Oregon hike—where else can you walk around a lake knowing that perfectly preserved trees from 3,000 years ago lie just beneath the surface?
Clear Lake Hike Quick Stats
- Total Distance: 9 miles (if starting from Waterfalls Loop Trailhead)
- Lake Loop Only: 5 miles around Clear Lake
- Elevation Gain: Moderate (approximately 500 feet)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Best Season: May through October
Getting to Oregon’s Clear Lake Trailhead
The Clear Lake trailhead is located in central Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, approximately 2.5 hours southeast of Portland or 1 hour 15 minutes east of Eugene. Navigate to the Waterfalls Loop Trailhead on Google Maps for the most popular starting point.
Driving Directions: Take Highway 126 east through the McKenzie Pass area, following signs for the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail.
GPS Coordinates: 44.3667° N, 121.9833° W (approximate Waterfalls Loop Trailhead)
Clear Lake Camping and Accommodations
Ice Cap Campground: Perfect Basecamp
Since Clear Lake requires a significant drive from major cities, consider making it a weekend adventure. We camped at Ice Cap Campground, conveniently located right next to the trailhead—we literally walked from our campsite to begin hiking!
Our rainy weekend camping experience became an adventure in itself. After hurriedly cooking soup on our camp stove, we spent the evening sheltering in our tent, listening to mystery audiobooks while rain pattered on the roof. Fortunately, our tents didn’t leak!
Clear Lake Resort Alternative
For those preferring indoor accommodations, Clear Lake Resort offers cabins right along the lake’s edge. The resort also provides rowboat and kayak rentals—the best way to fully appreciate the underwater forest preservation.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls: Spectacular Prelude
Starting from the Waterfalls Loop Trailhead adds two of Oregon’s most impressive waterfalls to your Clear Lake adventure. Koosah Falls greets hikers first, fanning out into multiple streams while mist from the impact creates a lush, mossy canyon environment.
Koosah Falls Features:
- Multiple streaming cascades
- Moss-covered canyon environment
- Water channels appearing to sprout from canyon walls
- Evidence of water moving through porous lava rock
Sahalie Falls follows upstream, offering equally dramatic views. The trail provides perspectives from both below and above each waterfall, showcasing the McKenzie River’s tremendous power and the area’s volcanic geology.
Clear Lake: The Main Attraction
Hiking Around Clear Lake
Once you reach Clear Lake itself, you can hike around it in either direction. We chose counterclockwise, starting along the eastern edge where ancient lava flows created the dramatic landscape you see today.
Eastern Shore: Features visible lava fields and stark volcanic terrain Western Shore: Shows untouched forest, providing sharp contrast to the lava-affected areas
This contrast perfectly illustrates the geological story—how volcanic activity transformed one side of the landscape while leaving the other relatively unchanged.
Best Views of the Underwater Forest
For optimal viewing of the preserved underwater trees, consider renting a rowboat or kayak from Clear Lake Resort. From the water, you can see deeper into the lake and better appreciate the scale of this natural preservation phenomenon.
The Clear Lake underwater forest remains intact because the water temperature stays consistently cold year-round, slowing decomposition to an almost complete stop. It’s essentially a 3,000-year-old time capsule.
The Great Spring: Clear Lake’s Water Source
Much of Clear Lake’s water emerges from the Great Spring, a stunning blue-green pool on the lake’s north side. This natural spring resembles the famous Oregon Blue Pool but features greener hues and smaller scale.
Great Spring Highlights:
- Brilliant blue-green coloration from mineral content
- Visible entry point where water bubbles up from stones
- Major water source for both Clear Lake and McKenzie River
- Crystal-clear visibility allowing views to the spring’s bottom
Little Nash Crater: Source of the Ancient Eruption
The volcanic eruption that created Clear Lake originated from nearby Little Nash Crater. Curious about the source, we drove over to investigate and discovered a bizarre moonscape of red lava rock—definitely worth the short side trip for geology enthusiasts.
Today’s Little Nash Crater appears significantly disturbed, possibly from mining operations, but still provides insight into the volcanic forces that shaped this landscape thousands of years ago.
McKenzie River National Recreation Trail Connection
Clear Lake sits along the 26-mile McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, one of Oregon’s premier long-distance hiking routes. This connection opens up extended adventure possibilities including:
- Oregon Blue Pool: Another volcanic wonder with incredibly blue water
- Natural hot springs: Perfect for post-hike relaxation
- Old-growth forest sections: Pristine Pacific Northwest ecosystems
- Additional waterfalls: Beyond Sahalie and Koosah Falls
We structured our weekend to include Clear Lake on day one and the Oregon Blue Pool on day two—a perfect combination showcasing the McKenzie River area’s volcanic wonders.
Planning Your Clear Lake Hike
What to Bring
- Waterproof hiking boots: Trail can be muddy, especially in spring
- Camera: Essential for capturing unique geological features
- Layers: Mountain weather changes quickly
- Water and snacks: 9-mile hike requires sustained energy
- Rain gear: Pacific Northwest weather is unpredictable
Best Time to Visit Clear Lake
Spring (May-June):
- Pros: Higher waterfall flow, lush vegetation
- Cons: Potentially muddy conditions, variable weather
Summer (July-September):
- Pros: Dry conditions, warm weather, best camping
- Cons: Lower waterfall flow, more crowded
Fall (October):
- Pros: Autumn colors, comfortable temperatures
- Cons: Shorter days, potential early snow
Photography Tips for Clear Lake
- Underwater forest: Best visible on calm, sunny days
- Volcanic contrasts: Emphasize differences between lava fields and forest
- Waterfall photography: Use tripod for longer exposures
- Spring colors: Highlight the brilliant blue-green of Great Spring
Why Clear Lake Ranks Among Oregon’s Best Hikes
Oregon’s Clear Lake hike combines geological education, natural beauty, and hiking adventure in a way few destinations can match. The preserved underwater forest creates a unique attraction found nowhere else in the Pacific Northwest, while the surrounding volcanic landscape tells the dramatic story of ancient eruptions and their lasting impacts.
Whether you’re fascinated by geology, drawn to pristine wilderness, or simply seeking a remarkable hiking experience, Clear Lake delivers. The combination of spectacular waterfalls, crystal-clear lake views, and that incredible underwater forest creates memories that last long after the hike ends.
