Loon Lake Recreation Site
Reedsport, Oregon · on Mill Creek · Coos Bay Umpqua Field Office
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per vehicle
- SEASON
- September
About Loon Lake Recreation Site
Loon Lake Recreation Site is a BLM-managed campground and day-use area on Loon Lake, a naturally dammed 260-acre lake in Oregon's Coast Range about 20 miles east-southeast of Reedsport. Its official designated swim area on a sandy beach makes it a proper swimming hole and a genuine lake to swim in, with a fishing dock, boat launch, and 53 campsites, operated seasonally from Memorial Day through September 30.
The recreation site sits on the shore of Loon Lake, a naturally dammed lake 2 miles long and up to 190 feet deep, surrounded by Douglas-fir and western hemlock forest with rhododendron and salal understory in the Oregon Coast Range. BLM describes the lake as one of the Coast Range's few recreation areas with a warm, sandy beach, and notes wildlife including Roosevelt elk, marbled murrelets, and spotted owls in the surrounding forest.
Swimming at Loon Lake Recreation Site
Swimming happens at a designated, official swim area on the sandy day-use beach, reached via paved pathways from the parking area. BLM markets the beach as unusually warm and sandy for the region, suiting families and casual swimmers rather than whitewater or backcountry paddlers; pets are not allowed in the swim area itself.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-5 at the Drain exit (#162), take OR-38 W about 43 miles to Loon Lake Road (4 miles west of Scottsburg), then follow Loon Lake Road 7 miles to the site. Alternatively, from US-101 in Reedsport take OR-38 E about 13 miles, then Loon Lake Road south about 7 miles.
Parking: General day-use parking is in the southern portion of the site, with separate parking areas for boat trailers and for the tent meadow.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim beach itself, it's a short walk on paved paths from the day-use parking lot. Separately, an optional paved 1/4-mile nature trail to a waterfall starts at the south end of the day-use area on adjoining Elliott State Forest land, but it is not part of reaching the swim spot.
Swim beach is a drive-up/short-walk destination from day-use parking.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated swim area has a gradual sandy beach entry suited to young kids, but the same lake hosts motorboats, pontoon boats, and jet skis (both BLM's own activity list and the on-site rental marina offer these), and no lifeguard presence is mentioned in any official BLM or Recreation.gov material, so supervise closely near the boat launch/dock area.
Parking
Paid, $5/vehicle day-use, $3 walk-in, $3 boat launch
Day-use parking lot in the southern portion of the site; separate lots for boat-trailer parking and for the tent-meadow area. Day-use area open 8am-8pm, no overnight parking there.
Restrooms
Yes
Day-use area has 2 restroom buildings: one flush-toilet facility (2 stalls) and one double vault toilet, both near accessible parking. Campground has 4 more (three 2-stall flush facilities, one single vault toilet).
Hours
Day-use area 8:00am-8:00pm; recreation site operates seasonally Memorial Day weekend through September 30, when fee stations/facilities are staffed.
On the water
Restrictions: BLM lists boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing and motor boating as permitted lake activities with no stated horsepower/no-wake limits; day-use boat launch fee is $3. Pets are prohibited in the designated swim area. Watercraft rentals from the on-site marina are limited to registered overnight guests of that business.
Boat launch and trailer parking are in the day-use area, separate from the swim beach.
Rentals nearby
Sea-Doos/jet skis, deluxe water ski boat, pontoon boats, aluminum fishing boats, stand-up paddleboards, 1- and 2-person kayaks, 3-person canoe, 4-person paddle boat, and houseboat rental
Prices: Sea-Doo $85/hr, $255 half-day (4hr), $510 full day (8hr); Ski boat $125/hr, $400/$700; Pontoon $125/hr, $400/$700; Fishing boat $35/hr, $105/$210; SUP $25/hr, $75/$150; 1-person kayak $16/hr, $48/$96; 2-person kayak $17/hr, $51/$102; canoe $17/hr, $51/$102; paddle boat $20/hr, $60/$120 (all boat rentals have a 2-hour minimum plus fuel; paddle craft have a 1-hour minimum; $375 minimum damage fee)
9011 Loon Lake Road, Reedsport, OR 97467, on Loon Lake, near the BLM recreation site · 8:00am-10:00pm in season
What regulars say
Visitor reports (Campendium camper reviews) describe the campground as peaceful and quiet with paved, shaded parking pads, but note no camp host was visible at check-in on at least one visit and no potable water is guaranteed at all sites/facilities, so visitors should bring their own water supply. No candid reports on swim-beach water clarity or crowding were found.
Backstory
Loon Lake was formed by a natural dam (a landslide-blocked stream valley) rather than an engineered dam, making the lake a distinctive geological feature of the Coast Range.
Loon Lake Recreation Site: FAQ
Does Loon Lake Recreation Site charge a fee?
Day use: $5 per vehicle, $3 walk-in, $3 boat launch. Camping: $18 single site, $36 double site, $7 per additional vehicle per night. Exact change is required (bills over $20 not accepted at self-pay stations).
Is Loon Lake Recreation Site kid friendly?
Designated swim area has a gradual sandy beach entry suited to young kids, but the same lake hosts motorboats, pontoon boats, and jet skis (both BLM's own activity list and the on-site rental marina offer these), and no lifeguard presence is mentioned in any official BLM or Recreation.gov material, so supervise closely near the boat launch/dock area.
Do I need to hike to reach Loon Lake Recreation Site?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Loon Lake Recreation Site?
Day-use parking lot in the southern portion of the site; separate lots for boat-trailer parking and for the tent-meadow area. Day-use area open 8am-8pm, no overnight parking there.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Loon Lake Recreation Site?
Boat launch and trailer parking are in the day-use area, separate from the swim beach.
When is the best time to visit Loon Lake Recreation Site?
Operating season is Memorial Day weekend through September 30th, when fee stations and facilities are staffed/open.
What are the rules at Loon Lake Recreation Site?
Pets are prohibited in the designated swim area. Quiet hours are 10pm-7am. Maximum camping stay is 14 days within a 28-day period.
What water body is Loon Lake Recreation Site on?
Loon Lake Recreation Site is on Mill Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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