Willow Lake | Southern Oregon

Willow Lake County Park is nestled at the base of Mount McLoughlin in a short distance of the town of Butte Falls. Also known as Willow Creek Reservoir, the lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the 52-foot high Willow Creek Dam in 1952.

The entire territory of Willow Lake County Park is a 927-acre area that includes 310 acres of land and 4.4 miles of the lakeshore with a multitude of activities such as boating, hiking, swimming, camping, and fishing. With the wide range of opportunities, this lake is perfect for anyone ranging from an active outdoor enthusiast to those wishing to escape from the stress and the dull routine of everyday life in the peaceful atmosphere of Southern Oregon.

For overnight stay, there is an option to set up a campsite at the 63 available spots and enjoy campfire picnics. Group campgrounds are also available. The cabins and yurts located within the campgrounds are the perfect combination between home comforts and beauty of the outdoors.

If this starts to sound too much like an adventure fanatic’s dream, then rest assured that the lake offers the perfect atmosphere for anything ranging from a family vacation to a romantic getaway.

Willow Lake is known for fishing opportunities including such species as kokanee, trout (rainbow and cutthroat), crappie, bass, catfish, and perch.

The reservoir is regularly stocked by rainbow trout, typically 16,000 legal and 1,500 trophy size during the spring months. Check the trout stocking schedule on the ODFW website. As the lake waters warm in summer, the kokanee and rainbow trout can be found in the deeper cooler water at the base of the dam.

The kokanee or Sockeye Salmon species are not native to Willow Lake.

They were introduced in the 1960s and the 1970s and have survived and produced well in the reservoir waters.

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Jackson County
Location: Willow Lake County Park

Services: Restrooms, showers, drinking water, garbage service, boat ramp, and picnic sites
Activities: Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Popularity: High

Accommodations: 63 campsites, 4 cabins, 2 yurts, and 1 group camp

Elevation: 3,029 ft (923 m)

Willow Lake is located:

41 miles east of Medford
45 miles northeast of Ashland
55 miles northwest of Klamath Falls
179 miles southeast of Eugene.

Facts
Body of water: Reservoir
Surface area: 345 acres
Shoreline: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)
Maximum depth:38 ft (11.6 m)

Characteristics
Swimming hole rating: 4 out of 5
Water quality: Transparent, algal blooms are possible
Current: None
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Sand
Water T° (summer): Cool to warm