# @theoregonian on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CqlOWJXO_nz
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/5319586-theoregonian-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9b7f184c24.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-04-03T17:01:20.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Oregonian (@theoregonian) — https://gondola.cc/theoregonian

## Caption

You may have made it out to Crater Lake, but Soapstone Lake? Maybe not.

Oregon is famous for its many natural lakes and reservoirs, from beautiful spots in the Cascade Mountains to alkaline lakes in the desert. But while people flock to those waters every summer, relatively few visit the little lakes tucked away in the Clatsop State Forest.

Honestly, it makes sense. While each of these four Clatsop State Forest lakes is promoted by the Oregon Department of Forestry as a destination in its own right, with designated trails leading through the Coast Range forest, none are particularly spectacular natural attractions. Classifying most them as “lakes” is generous.

With so many incredible lakes to visit around Oregon, why give any of these spots the time of day? The answer is not in the destination but in the journey to get there.

Let go of any ideas you may have about spending “a day at the lake” and focus instead on what these hikes have to offer: quiet trails, spectacular mountain views and lush forests teeming with wildlife. Many of these “lakes” may well be marshes when you see them, but that’s OK – they’re not the real reason you’re there.

Trails to all four of these lakes are found just off U.S. 26 east of Cannon Beach, making them great ways to break up your drive to the coast, or places to spend rainy days in the winter. Some may see lots of people during sunny spring or summer afternoons, but none draw the kinds of crowds that flock to “real” lakes like Timothy Lake, Detroit Lake or Lake Billy Chinook (which, to be clear, are all human-made reservoirs).

These lakes may be small, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth a visit. 

Follow the link in our bio to learn how to find them.

📷 and 📝 by halejamesb

#oregon #outdoors #oregonexplored #oregonoutdoors

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## Tags

outdoors, oregon, oregonexplored, oregonoutdoors

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