Walton Lake
Prineville, Oregon · on Walton Lake · Ochoco National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7 per vehicle
- SEASON
- May
About Walton Lake
Walton Lake is a small, spring-fed mountain lake in the Ochoco National Forest, about 30 miles east of Prineville, Oregon, developed by the U.S. Forest Service with a day-use area, campground, and designated swimming beach at roughly 5,200 feet elevation. The designated beach makes this spring-fed swimming hole a straightforward lake to swim in high in the Ochocos.
The 19-acre lake sits in old-growth ponderosa pine forest with mountain meadows, quaking aspen, and willows around the shoreline, and is impounded by a small dam. It is frequently described as one of the most scenic and well-known recreation sites in the Ochoco National Forest.
Swimming at Walton Lake
Recreation.gov, the official federal recreation site for this USFS facility, lists a designated swimming beach at the day-use area alongside a fishing pier and boat ramp. An independent travel account describes the water as cold enough that many visitors find it uncomfortable for sustained swimming, and better suited to wading, paddleboarding, or kayaking than long swims; the lake is shallow to moderate in depth.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Prineville, take Highway 26 east about 16 miles, turn right onto County Road 23 for about 9 miles, then turn left onto Forest Service Road 22 for about 7 miles to reach the lake.
Parking: Paved day-use parking area at the lake; paved parking spurs at each campsite.
The hike in
Walton Lake Trail (1-mile barrier-free loop)
- To the water
- 0 mi - swimming beach is immediately adjacent to the paved day-use parking lot
- Time on foot
- loop walk takes roughly 20-30 minutes if done in full; swim beach access itself is a 1-2 minute walk from parking
Difficulty: easy - flat, paved, ADA-accessible loop
Trailhead: Starts at the paved day-use parking area / swimming beach at Walton Lake; the swim beach itself is essentially at the parking area, no hike needed to reach the water.
A flat, paved, barrier-free 1-mile loop trail circles the entire lake for visitors who want to walk further after swimming; it is not required to reach the water. A separate, longer 7.5-mile multi-use Round Mountain Trail is also in the area but is unrelated to lake access.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated swimming beach on a calm, no-wake (electric/non-motorized only) lake suits wading and beginner swimmers, and the 1-mile loop path around the lake is flat and barrier-free for family walks. However there are no lifeguards, and one first-hand account (oregondiscovery.com) describes the water as cold enough that many visitors find sustained swimming uncomfortable, so supervise young/inexperienced swimmers closely.
Parking
Paid, $7 per vehicle/day for day-use parking
Paved day-use parking lot at the lake, plus paved parking spurs at individual campsites; the south loop is noted as best suited for large RVs.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets are provided in both the north and south sections of the campground/day-use area, with accessible (ADA) toilets in the south shore section.
Hours
Seasonally open roughly mid-May through mid-October (weather/snow dependent); no fixed daily gate hours found for day-use, campground check-in is 2:00pm and check-out 12:00pm noon.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric or other self-powered (non-motorized) watercraft only; gas motors are prohibited and it is enforced as a no-wake lake. A small boat ramp is available for launching.
One first-hand account (oregondiscovery.com) suggests the lake suits paddling (kayak/paddleboard/float tube for fishing) better than swimming due to cold water.
Walton Lake: FAQ
Does Walton Lake charge a fee?
Day-use fee $7 per vehicle per day; camping $20 for the first vehicle plus $10 per additional vehicle per night.
Is Walton Lake kid friendly?
Designated swimming beach on a calm, no-wake (electric/non-motorized only) lake suits wading and beginner swimmers, and the 1-mile loop path around the lake is flat and barrier-free for family walks. However there are no lifeguards, and one first-hand account (oregondiscovery.com) describes the water as cold enough that many visitors find sustained swimming uncomfortable, so supervise young/inexperienced swimmers closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Walton Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Walton Lake?
Paved day-use parking lot at the lake, plus paved parking spurs at individual campsites; the south loop is noted as best suited for large RVs.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Walton Lake?
One first-hand account (oregondiscovery.com) suggests the lake suits paddling (kayak/paddleboard/float tube for fishing) better than swimming due to cold water.
When is the best time to visit Walton Lake?
Mid-May through mid-October for vehicle access to the campground and day-use area; the access road closes with winter snow and is reachable only by hiking or snowshoeing off-season.
What are the rules at Walton Lake?
Only electric or non-motorized (self-powered) watercraft are permitted, no gas motors; no horses; no off-highway vehicles; do not transport firewood in from outside the area.
What water body is Walton Lake on?
Walton Lake is on Walton Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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