"Where's Waldo?" Near the summit of the Cascade Mountains, and thus only available to visitors during the summer months, Waldo is a spectacular gift of nature that everyone can enjoy. Whether hiking part of the trail that circles the huge lake, sailing smoothly over the crystal clear water, or simply taking in one of the incredibly gorgeous sunsets the area has to offer, this lake beckons visitors to find Waldo and enjoy.

Located just south of Willamette Pass on Highway 58, the turnoff for Waldo Lake is well-marked and easy to follow. Given its remote location, visitors will find themselves driving approximately twelve miles back into the woods. However, the road is paved and well-cared for the entire way. The only time visitors would have difficulty with the drive is in the late spring when there may still be snow on the road. Otherwise, it's smooth sailing back to the lake.

Waldo Lake is not only the second largest lake in Oregon (behind Klamath Lake farther south), its spectacular beauty and incredibly clear water often make visitors wonder how anything so beautiful can still exist in this fast-paced world. With its depth of 420 feet (second in depth only to Crater Lake), it's hard to imagine that on a calm day, fish can be seen swimming up to 100 feet below the surface. Now, that's something to see!

As the head of the Willamette River that winds its way through the upper part of the state, Waldo Lake, with its grace and beauty, encourages visitors to sit and relax awhile. With three campgrounds on the east side of the lake, maintained by the United States Forest Service, visitors can stay for a day, a week, or even longer if they wish. All three campgrounds have docks available for all sizes of boats, from kayaks to catamarans. Nothing could possibly compare to sailing on this spectacular lake at sunset. Come find Waldo, relax, and enjoy one of Oregon's finest jewels.

All photos on this web site are ©2002, ©2003, ©2004, ©2005 as the exclusive property of the site designer, Julia (Harris) Ozab, and they may not be used in any form without her express written consent. If you wish to use any of the photos from this site, please contact her via e-mail at jozab@sansangnim.com.