Five Great Oregon Lakes for Pontoon Boating

Oregon has some of the most beautiful scenery in the continental United States, and its lakes are famous for their views, size, accessibility, fishing, and opportunities for adventure. A Bennington pontoon boat is the perfect way to explore these dramatic wonders. You'll have options to day-cruise, camp, or tie up to a dock and stay in a lakeside hotel or resort, and to fish, swim and play on the wonderfully clean waters and beyond.

Here are five spectacular Oregon lakes that are perfect for pontoon boats and family fun.

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is one of the most picturesque bodies of water in Oregon -- so much so that you'll probably feel compelled to record your visit in photos and video. Crater offers excellent fishing, camping and hiking, with abundant wildlife. Formed in the crater of a long-extinct volcano, there are no rivers, streams, or groundwater feeding it; instead, it is fed exclusively by rain and snow. This makes it extraordinarily clean and pure and gives it a gorgeous, deep blue color. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, and one of the most dramatic sites in the Cascade Mountains.

Crescent Lake

Also nestled in the Cascades, Crescent Lake is convenient to both Eugene and Bend. It is a popular destination for pontoon boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts seeking to experience the beauty of a glacier basin within the Deschutes National Forest. Crescent Lake features sandy beaches, clear waters and abundant wildlife. The national forest has excellent boat ramp access with a nearby campground and boat rentals.

Diamond Lake

Located close to Crater Lake and high in the mountains, Diamond Lake is the largest lake in the Umpqua National Forest. Well-known for its beauty and abundance of rainbow trout, Diamond Lake has many docks and boat ramps, making water access a breeze. The popularity of the surrounding national forest means there are a number of nearby lodging options, from campgrounds to resorts.

Paulina Lake and East Lake

Also in the Deschutes National Forest, these connected lakes are in the Newberry Crater, fed by a combination of precipitation, snow melt and natural hot springs. They are well stocked with salmon and brown trout and offer excellent fishing and swimming. All around them are hot springs, gorges, waterfalls, and abundant camping and hiking opportunities.

Wallowa Lake

Wallowa Lake is a ribbon lake hidden away in Oregon's Wallowa Mountains, with calm and crystal clear waters reflecting the surrounding ice-capped peaks. The Wallowa River feeds the lake, delivering rainbow and eastern brook trout for anglers along with abundant wildlife and excellent birding. Despite its well-documented beauty, Wallowa Lake's remote location prevents overcrowding, making it a beloved boating destination by those who make the extra effort. Public ramps are located at each end of the lake, with tie-up docks available

Whether you live in Oregon or you're planning a trip there, it's hard to beat a pontoon boat vacation on one of the state's beautiful lakes.