Lake County is one of the largest and most remote counties in the beautiful state of Oregon. Situated in the south central portion of the state, along the California border, it is accessed from the north/south on hwy 395 which comes down from I-84 at Pendleton through Burns, and The Steens area of eastern Oregon, as well as up from Reno through Susanville and Alturas, CA. If you’re in western Oregon, then take 140 from Klamath Falls through Beatty and Bly as it winds through the Fremont and Winema National Forests.
Lakeview is the county seat of Lake County as well as the largest metropolitan area in the county, and there is not one single stop light in town! Groceries can be had in town as well as fuel, propane, tires, and services. If you’re passing through on Labor Day Weekend, then the Lake County Fair is in full swing complete with rodeo and demolition derby as the real life buckaroos come in off the high desert to blow off some steam for the weekend.
If you base out of Lakeview, you are at a crossroads of 4 different ecosystems.
To the south is 26 mile long Goose Lake, which straddles the Oregon-California border.
To the north is Lake Abert and the huge geologic fault that goes with it, Abert Rim (this is antelope and bighorn sheep country).
To the northwest is the Winema National Forest with fishing available in the Chewaucan River.
To the northeast past the Warner mountains, which are Lakeview’s eastern city limit, you have a fire lookout on Drake’s Peak that is available for rent as well as other cabins in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Further on past Drake’s there is the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, which features many natural hot springs for bathing.
To the west, is heavy timber and mountains, as well as the Sprague River.
To the east of town is the Warner Mountains with many natural lakes and creeks. If you are a nature lover, and you prefer to enjoy the natural over concrete, then Lakeview, Oregon, has everything you need. They don’t call it the Oregon Outback for nothing!
Have you found your special spot out in one of America’s Big Empty Spaces? If so, please leave us a comment and tell us about it! And if you’re going on a road trip out through those lonesome spaces, be sure to check PPL Motorhomes for coolers, tires, batteries, and all those items that carry you down the road!
http://www.lakevieworegon.org/
http://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema
photo from:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/970362