Loon Lake

Loon Lake stands as a rare example of a "landslide lake" in the Oregon Coast Range, formed approximately 1,400 years ago when a massive sandstone slide dammed Mill Creek. Long before Euro-American discovery, the area was a seasonal destination for indigenous tribes who traveled from the coast and inland valleys to hunt elk and gather huckleberries. The lake was officially "discovered" by white explorers in 1852 and named for the common loons found nesting on a floating log in its center. In the early 20th century, the lake served the logging industry as a storage site for timber being trucked to coastal mills, but by the 1960s, it transitioned into a major recreational hub. Today, Loon Lake is a premier destination for paddlers, offering over two miles of wind-protected, 100-foot-deep waters perfect for exploring by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. While some local guides list the maximum depth at roughly 105 feet, official data from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and regional tourism boards report that the lake reaches depths of up to 190 feet. The average depth is approximately 53 feet. Visitors can launch from the Loon Lake Recreation Site managed by the BLM or the East Shore Day Use Area, both of which provide access to the lake's warm, sandy beaches and scenic forested shorelines.

Loon Lake Launch Sites

For expanded details on our launch sites, click the link or hover over the box below and click the image to visit Super Water Trails (SWT). While our "Map and Launch Sites" tab provides basic locations, SWT offers deeper insights into whether the site is open, launch type, tidal, cellular signal availability, fee, if a pass is accepted, and amenities.

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Registration is required to access the platform. SWT was developed by FOAK member Annette Chihorek and is free to use, though some premium features are available for a fee.

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Launch sites for Loon Lake:

1. Loon Lake Recreation Site Day Use Area

2. Loon Lake East Shore Day Use Area