Paddling and Swimming at Suttle Lake in the Oregon Cascades

Looking for more to explore near Suttle Lake?
Hike to the sapphire waters of Tamolitch Blue Pool, take the trail to gorgeous Sahalie and Koosah Falls, or enjoy a relaxing paddle around the aptly named Clear Lake.

PADDLE & SWIM

The water at Suttle Lake is cool in summer and reasonably clear. The color shifts from green to turquoise depending on the light and location. It’s fairly shallow, with a maximum depth of 75 feet, which allows the water to warm up a bit in the summer sun. On a hot summer day in August, we found it delightfully refreshing. The shallow water near the shore is also ideal for young children. Rough sand and pebbles line the lakebed, which sometimes feel a bit prickly.

One important thing to know about Suttle Lake is that the eastern half of the lake is a no wake zone with a speed limit of 10 miles per hour. The South Shore boat launch is located roughly at the midway point, marking the edge of the no wake zone. Motor boats can launch here and turn westward before revving their motors. Swimmers and paddlers should stick to the east. If you’re staying at Suttle Lake, take note: the entire lake becomes a no wake zone between 8pm and 9am. How perfect for an early morning or late evening paddle!

Probably because the motorized zone is fairly small, we didn’t see many speedboats or jet skis out. However, there were a few boats that would zoom right up to the edge of the wake zone before turning back, sending a plume of water rippling to the shore. We were delighted to find what we thought was the prefect picnic spot near the boat launch, only to have our blankets soaked by an unexpected wave. Sigh.

Despite limited space on shore, we enjoyed the fact that there were far fewer crowds near the South Shore boat launch. In comparison, the day use area near Suttle Lodge was packed. It’s a much larger area than the boat launch, is far from any speedboats, and offers many more amenities, so this is hardly surprising. It’s also closer to the highway. The traffic is out of sight, but expect a little noise from passing cars and trucks.

Ultimately, the eastern half of the lake is a great place to both paddle and swim, just know that if you venture forth on a sunny summer day you will not be alone. We were there on a Saturday to boot, and I expect weekdays offer a more relaxed experience. Regardless, we had a lot of fun and recommend it for those not seeking solitude.

GOOD TO KNOW

• As always, stay safe on the water. Wear life vests when boating. Always keep a close eye on children, and anyone who is not a strong swimmer should wear a life vest while in the water. Follow all posted rules.
• There is a $5 fee to park at Suttle Lake, which is located on U.S. Forest Service land. Purchase passes from automated machines located along the entrance road to Suttle Lake, at the day use area near Suttle Lodge, and at the South Shore boat launch.
• The America the Beautiful Pass also covers the parking fee. Simply hang the pass in your car window.
• Vault toilets and garbage bins are available at the day use area near Suttle Lodge (aka Suttle Lake Resort) and the South Shore boat launch.
• Restrooms with flush toilets are available at Suttle Lodge.
• Suttle Lodge offers seasonal boat rentals at the Boathouse. Paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes are available. Rental prices start at $35 for one hour, and the price per hour decreases for two-hour, half day, or full day rentals.
• The Boathouse also serves three meals a day in summer, as well as drinks and cocktails.
• Looking to linger longer? Book a stay at Suttle Lodge, or at one of several campgrounds located at Suttle Lake. Blue Bay, South Shore, and Link Creek Campgrounds are all located near the lakeshore.
• Want to stretch your legs? There are several hikes that begin near Suttle Lake, including a loop trail around the lake, and another to nearby Scout Lake and Dark Lake, just to name a few. You can drive to these smaller lakes as well.
• Pets on leash are welcome.
• Bring plenty of water, hats for shade, and sunscreen in the summer.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Nestled amid evergreens in the Cascade Mountains, the emerald waters of Suttle Lake shimmer. It’s a gem along Highway 20, although the proximity of the highway unfortunately means you may hear some traffic noise around the day use area. Thankfully, the traffic itself is out of sight.

I love the fact that the eastern half of the lake is a no wake zone, making it a fun, safe place for swimmers and paddlers. Even better, the entire lake is a no wake zone before 9am and after 8pm. To experience Suttle Lake at its peaceful best, come early or stay late and soak in the serenity.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Suttle Lake is heaven on a hot day for kids of all ages. Even when it’s crowded on shore, there’s plenty of space to splash and play in the lake. With its shallow waters near shore and a large no wake zone on the eastern half of the lake, parents, too, will feel at ease. Mind you, I would like it even better if the entire lake was wake free, as speedboats and jet skis often speed right up to the edge of their zone. If you, like us, decide to hang out at the South Shore boat launch, be prepared for some wake to roll on shore from time to time.

In addition to the occasional wake, the other downside with the South Shore boat launch is the limited shoreline. There are only a few picnic tables, and it can be tough to find a spot to throw down a picnic blanket (watch out for the wake if you set up at the water’s edge!).

The day use area near Suttle Lake Lodge is much more expansive and lies far from the wake zone. This is also where Suttle Lodge is situated. The lodge offers restrooms with flush toilets, rents canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards, and has a charming waterfront café. I’d prefer to hang out here if it were less crowded, but our visit was on a busy summer Saturday, and the place was packed. Try for a weekday if you can.

Regardless of the crowds, this is a great spot for families. Bring the three S’s of summer fun — swimsuits, sunscreen, and snacks — and you’re sure to have a blast!

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Situated as it is in the heart of the Cascades, there is plenty to do near Suttle Lake. The lovely hamlet of Sisters lies 13 miles to the east, and is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also home to some great food. We like eating at The Barn, where you can enjoy outdoor seating and tasty meals from a variety of food carts. Across the street, The Slow Down State serves excellent coffee. Be sure to stop by Sisters Meat and Smokehouse for locally prepared meats and picnic provisions.

Looking for more places to paddle? Drive 20 minutes west from Suttle Lake to Clear Lake, located along the beautiful McKenzie River River Highway. Clear Lake is no place for swimming, as the spring-fed water is numbingly cold, but it’s a superb place to paddle, with stunningly clear water. Bonus: no motorboats are allowed! A short drive further south along the McKenzie River Highway leads to the trailheads for gorgeous Sahalie and Koosah Falls, as well as the jaw-dropping Tamolitch Blue Pool.

Less well known, but still worth a detour, is Lost Lake. The lake is so named due to a curious natural phenomena where the water drains into underground lava tubes each summer, causing Lost Lake to practically vanish for a brief period. We were mesmerized by water being sucked into the tubes, not to mention the large frog colony that made its home there. Lost Lake lies 11.5 miles west of Suttle Lake off Highway 20.

Many beautiful National Forest Service Campgrounds are scattered throughout the Oregon Cascades. In fact, there are several right here at Suttle Lake, including Blue Bay Campground, South Shore Campground, and Link Creek Campground. We spent three nights at Whispering Falls Campground, located about 37 miles northwest of Suttle Lake. After a day spent paddling, hiking, and swimming, it’s a great place to relax along the North Fork Santiam River.

We arrived at Suttle Lake without knowing exactly what to expect. The goal was simply to find a lake where we could enjoy a picnic, swimming, and a lazy summer paddle. After setting out from Whispering Falls Campground and making a detour to check out the lava tubes at Lost Lake (which is more marsh than lake in August), we decided to give Big Lake a try. No luck. Cars were parked end to end along the road ringing the lake. Even if we could somehow squeeze into the line up, I doubted this would provide the relaxing experience we craved.

With Big Lake a bust, we decided to head east to Suttle Lake. Its proximity to Highway 20 gave me pause, but I was sold on the fact that it boasted a no wake zone. After our experience at Big Lake, we knew to expect crowds, so decided to try the South Shore boat launch rather than the day use area by Suttle Lodge. We snagged the last few parking spots near the launch (thanks to someone who was just leaving), and turned our attention to the next task at hand: finding a picnic spot.

This proved to be unexpectedly tricky. The South Shore boat launch only offers a few picnic tables, and they were already claimed. Open space of any kind is limited, as brush and trees line the lakeshore. We discovered a small pocket beach down a short trail, and unfurled the picnic blankets.

It was a cozy space, until our blankets were swamped by a wave of wake from a passing speedboat. The boat launch is located at the edge of the wake zone, which is marked by a few buoys in the water. Some boaters, we discovered, like to speed right up to the border before taking a swift turn and speeding off again to the west. Nice.

Fortunately, boats are required to take it slow near the launch and dock, making this a safe space for the kids to play. They had a blast floating lazily in the tubes and splashing one another. With our friend, Amy, there to keep an eye on them, Michael and I headed out in our inflatable kayak.

We paddled along the south shore of Suttle Lake to the east, leaving any speedboats behind us. A small creek feeds into the lake from the east, where it forms a shallow pool hidden among the trees. We paddled slowly as we explored, passing a surplus of rental canoes and paddle boards huddles together at the shore’s edge.

After our foray into the backwaters of Suttle Lake, we headed for the main event — the day use area by Suttle Lodge. We managed to find a spot to pull the kayak ashore, and Michael stayed at the beach while I explored further on foot. The beach was covered with fallen pine needles, and not ideal for going barefoot. Good thing I had sandals!

The trip ashore gave me the chance to view the lodge, an elegant wood structure with an appealing deck overlooking the forested lakeshore. Cabins of various sizes dotted the woods behind the lodge. Down on the waterfront, the Boathouse was hopping with boat rentals and folks in line at a charming café. On such a beautiful day, a drink out on the waterfront deck sure was appealing.

But for me, it was time to go. I met Michael down on the beach, and together we carried the kayak into the water. This time we paddled along the north shore, leaving the flotilla of neon colored inflatable toys and paddle boards behind us.

Back at the South Shore boat launch, several of the kids were still splashing around in the water. We carried the kayak ashore and dutifully packed it up. Soon, it would be time to return to our campsite at Whispering Falls. But for now, there was one last thing I needed to do. I grabbed one of the free float tubes as I waded into the lake. Easing myself into the tube, I closed my eyes as the sun glinted off the rippling water. I breathed deep. It was the essence of summer, and for a few glorious minutes that was all that mattered.