Eel Lake Trail
A serene freshwater lake trail in Oregon Dunes, offering lush forests and wildlife, with a well-maintained start and a challenging, less-maintained en...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
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Eel Lake Trail
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene freshwater lake trail in Oregon Dunes, offering lush forests and wildlife, with a well-maintained start and a challenging, less-maintained end.
"The first 2 miles are pristine, but the last mile is hazardous and anticlimactic. "
Turn Back After 2 Miles
The last mile is poorly maintained and hazardous. Stick to the first 2 miles for a safe, beautiful hike. ⚠️
Embrace the Wildlife
Keep an eye out for banana slugs, snakes, and various plant species along the trail. 🐍
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 66 reviews
Type
Hiking Area
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Pristine First 2 Miles
Eel Lake Trail
Enjoy a well-maintained path through lush forests with charming bridges and glimpses of the lake.
Lake Views & Wildlife
Eel Lake
Spot diverse wildlife like banana slugs and snakes amidst beautiful second-growth forests.
Sandy Beach Access
Eel Lake Trail
A lovely sand beach is accessible from the trail, perfect for a relaxing break.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Trail Conditions Vary
Best for Nature Lovers
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Turn Back After 2 Miles
The last mile is poorly maintained and hazardous. Stick to the first 2 miles for a safe, beautiful hike. ⚠️
Embrace the Wildlife
Keep an eye out for banana slugs, snakes, and various plant species along the trail. 🐍
Freshwater lake, Oregon Dunes. Backpacking here is a slog but it's beautiful and the water is good.
I'm wanting to do my first backpacking trip here. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
Pack for Wet Conditions
Some areas can be wet with several bridges. Waterproof shoes are recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Boat Launch Available
Access Eel Lake for kayaking, boating, or fishing. Parking and a boat launch are available. 🛶
Tips
from all over the internet
Turn Back After 2 Miles
The last mile is poorly maintained and hazardous. Stick to the first 2 miles for a safe, beautiful hike. ⚠️
Embrace the Wildlife
Keep an eye out for banana slugs, snakes, and various plant species along the trail. 🐍
Pack for Wet Conditions
Some areas can be wet with several bridges. Waterproof shoes are recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Boat Launch Available
Access Eel Lake for kayaking, boating, or fishing. Parking and a boat launch are available. 🛶
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Eel Lake Trail offers a beautiful, well-maintained experience for the first two miles, praised for its lush forests and wildlife. However, the latter half of the trail is poorly maintained and hazardous, leading many to recommend turning back. Visitors enjoy the lake access and picnic facilities, but the anticlimactic end of the full trail is a common point of disappointment.
"Beautiful lake in State Park. Lots of parking and a boat launch and fishing pier.
Short, easy trail, with large second growth Spruce, Firs, Hemlocks and hardwoods. Good tread and several bridges over small wet areas. Nice sand beach accessible from trail.
Park has day use area with really well kept grounds, picnic tables and bathrooms."
Bob ROBERTS
"Trail head pretty obscure. Once in, it's a great, well maintained, trail... For awhile. After the 2 mile mark it gets very poorly maintained or not at all eventually.
Being optimistic and stubborn, I wanted to complete the entire 3.3 Mile trek and get my "Reward" at the end.
Expecting an overlook, view point, water access something. Instead the trail became full of entrapments, blow down, sinking mud and treacherous old decayed log "bridges" which are very hazardous. So much so, is recommend closing the last mile and just calling it a 2 mile trail.
Instead, after plowing through mud, climbing over downed logs and toiling over loose, rotten, bridge beams suspended precariously over springs etc. My big reward was a 5" end of trail sign in a small overgrown revine.
VERY anticlimactic!
Otherwise, it's an easy, comfortable, beautiful hike with many views of the lakes, plenty of mushrooms, foliage, fowl and plant species to entertain all.
NOTE to State of Oregon: or whom ever maintains this trail.
Maintenance is BADLY needed the last mile. It appears they just stopped after 2.5 mi and it's very dangerous and contrasting to the first beautiful and well maintained 2 miles."
Bradford
"A beautiful Park and lake. A great place to kayak or boat or fish. The hiking trail gets boring and it says it's 3 miles but it continues to go at the three mile mark. I personally turned around at this point because the trail was a snooze fest. FYI After the 2 mile marker the trail gets pretty junky and poorly maintained but before that the trail is pristine."
Nic Gerbase
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The trailhead can be a bit obscure. Look for signs for Eel Lake within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Parking is available.
Yes, there is parking available at the trailhead for Eel Lake Trail.
Eel Lake is located near Reedsport, Oregon, making it a convenient destination for those in the area.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Information on entrance fees is not readily available, but it's generally part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which may have fees. Check official park websites for the latest details.
Eel Lake and its associated trails are typically open during daylight hours. It's best to confirm specific hours with the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
Backpacking permits may be required for overnight stays in the Oregon Dunes. It's advisable to check with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service for current regulations.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The trail is officially listed as 3.3 miles, but many visitors recommend turning back after the first 2 miles due to deteriorating conditions.
The first 2 miles are beginner-friendly and well-maintained. The last mile is challenging and not recommended for beginners or those seeking an easy hike.
You can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including banana slugs, snakes, fowl, and diverse plant species.
Yes, the day-use area at Eel Lake has well-kept grounds with picnic tables and bathrooms.
While swimming is not explicitly mentioned, Eel Lake is a freshwater lake, and beach access is available from the trail.
🍽️ 🎣 Food & Dining
The closest dining options would be in nearby Reedsport, Oregon. Pack snacks and water for your hike.
Absolutely! The day-use area features picnic tables, making it a great spot for a meal amidst nature.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the lush forests, serene lake views, and abundant wildlife. The well-maintained first section offers great shots.
Yes, the lake and surrounding forests provide beautiful scenery for landscape photographers, especially during the golden hours.
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