• William M. Tugman State Park sits on the bank of the beautiful Eel Lake
• The area is a popular destination for camping, picnicking, boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming
Well developed, yet relatively unknown, William M. Tugman State Park is a fantastic family-friendly recreational oasis sitting on the western arm of the Eel Lake right next to the town of Lakeside. The serenity of the lake with mighty pines in the background makes it an amazing place to spend the day.
A large body of water taking 355 acres of area, Eel Lake is an outstanding location for water activities where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, paddle boarding, tubing, and canoeing.
The lake is 65 feet deep at the deepest spot with an average depth of 34 feet. Clear blue water warms up to 70°F at the peak of the summer heat. There is a designated shallow swimming area with sandy bottom.
Eel Lake is also great for fishing and has a variety of species to catch. Here you can encounter largemouth bass, crappie, stocked rainbow trout, as well as steelhead and coho salmon. A fishing dock and a boat ramp make fishing here easy and accessible. Make sure to check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the current fishing rules and regulations.
Hikers can enjoy the 6.1-mile long, moderate difficulty Eel Lake Trail starting at the south end of the lake. For an easier and faster hike, you can take the 1.1-mile long Eel Lake Trail West rated easy.
There are 93 water and electric sites (2 are accessible), 16 yurts (11 are accessible and 8 are pet-friendly), and a hiker/biker camp. Reservation in advance is required.
The park has large grassy areas to play at, picnic tables, plenty of shaded spots, a volleyball net, a kids' playground, a sand play area, flush toilets, showers, an RV dump station, and firewood for sale.
Eel Lake | Facts
Open: Year-round
Managed: Oregon State Parks
Location: William M. Tugman State Park
Amenities: Flush toilets, showers, campsites, picnic tables, playground, dump station, a fishing dock and a boat ramp
Activities: Swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking and picnicking
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any vehicle
Day-use fees: None
Popularity: Moderate
Accommodations: Campground
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay
Eel Lake is located:
- 15 miles north of North Bend
- 80 miles south of Newport
- 100 miles southwest of Eugene.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Eel Lake
From Highway 101 in Newport,
- Travel 80 miles south on Highway 101 to the the entrance of William M. Tugman State Park on the left.