Siltcoos Lake

The largest lake on the Oregon Coast of the United States is Siltcoos Lake, measuring 1,280 acres. It is roughly 11 km south of Florence and 1 km east of U.S. Route 101. It is fed by runoff from a basin of about 180 km2 in Douglas and Lane counties.

A Siltcoos River delta that predated the most recent ice age is preserved underwater as Siltcoos Lake. The lake developed as a result of rising sea levels brought on by melting glaciers, which submerged Oregon's coastal rivers' lower reaches. Slow-moving rivers' sediments created sand dunes, behind which ancient river mouths like the Siltcoos became lakes. Similar relics can be seen around Tahkenitch Lake and Woahink Lake.

This freshwater lake is a well-liked spot for camping, hiking, boating, and fishing. While there are also salmon, trout, and crappie in the lake, largemouth bass fishing draws a lot of fishermen to its warm waters.

The best way to appreciate the water on Siltcoos Lake is to bring a boat because so much of the shoreline is inaccessible. There are plenty of land activities available at Siltcoos Lake for those without a boat. The 55-site Waxmyrtle Campground is one of many campgrounds that border the banks of the neighboring Siltcoos River. The Waxmyrtle Trail, among others, spans the region and leads to the coast.

Location: Near Pacific Ocean coast in Douglas and Lane counties, Oregon