Cleawox Lake

• Cleawox Lake is a natural warm lake offers activities for the entire family
• Crowded in the peak season

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A popular summer destination, Cleawox Lake is conveniently located near Highway 101, in Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, about four miles south of Florence. Separated from the Pacific Ocean by 1.5 miles of impressive sand dunes, on the border of the Oregon Dunes National Area, the 87-acre lake features sandy beaches and warm clear water during the summer seasons.

The lake was formed by a coastal stream and melting glaciers millions of years ago. The slow stream was dammed by sedimentary rocks migrating downstream from the Coast Mountain Range. During a long period of time rocks were abraded into the sand which later formed dunes. The dunes around Cleawox Lake constantly change their shapes under the influence of strong wind and water. Each year dunes move toward Cleawox Lake approximately 15 to 20 feet, gradually filling the north side of the lake.



Video

The lake is nurtured by a small stream and seepage with no surface outflow. Unlike any other coastal lakes, the water of Cleawox Lake is more transparent and saltier.

Varieties of water activities including swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing, and fishing are available here. Motorized boats are prohibited.

Children and adults enjoy climbing to the top of the open dune that is adjusted to the northern end of Cleawox Lake and sliding down to the warm water.

There are a fishing dock, diving platform, cooking shelter, and picnic areas.

Overnight camping is not allowed near the lake. However, Honeyman Memorial Park has a large campground that offers over 350 campsites and 10 yurts (some of them are accessible and pet-friendly).



Cleawox Lake - Honeyman State Park

Cleawox Lake - Honeyman State Park

Cleawox Lake - Honeyman State Park

Swimming

There are two nice beaches at Cleawox Lake. One of them is located in the day-use area on the eastern side of the lake. This is an excellent swimming area for everyone including small children. A diving-swimming platform floating in front of the beach is a favorite place for those who enjoy both jumping off of it and swimming around it. The rental office on the beach rents out sandboards, pedal boats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks.

A west shore of the lake, adjusted to the sand dune, is a place for practicing sandboarding, sunbathing, and swimming.

Honeyman Memorial State Park is home to another great freshwater lake - Woahink Lake which also has a great opportunity for a variety of water activities.



Cleawox Lake | General Description

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Oregon State Park
Location: Oregon Coast

Services: Flush toilets, drinking water, garbage service, cooking shelter, picnic sites, playground, boat ramp, fishing docks, diving platform, campground, camp store
Activities: Swimming, boating and kayaking, paddleboarding, sandboarding, fishing, hiking

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes or 12- or 24-month day-use parking permit for State Parks
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Popularity: High

Accommodations: RV and tent campgrounds, yurts

Elevation: 70 ft (24 m)

Cleawox Lake is located:

  • 3.8 miles south of Florence
  • 64 miles west of Eugene
  • 130 miles southwest of Salem
  • 175 miles southwest of Portland.

Swimming hole rating: 4 out of 5
Body of Water: Natural lake
Water quality: Transparent, slightly salty
Current: None
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Sand
Water T° (summer): Warm

Fishing

Cleawox Lake is popular among anglers, mostly for largemouth bass and stocked rainbow trout.

Fish species

Hatchery: rainbow trout and cutthroat trout.
Warm-water: largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, crappie, brown bullhead, bluegill.
Fishing season: May - October




Adventures Nearby

Directions to Cleawox Lake

  • From Florence, drive 3.8 miles south to the Honeyman State Park turnoff, between milepost 193 and 194
  • Turn right and continue to one of the parking areas.

GPS: N 43°55.902', W 124°6.756' | 43.9317, -124.1126



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