About Loon Lake and its History
About 1,400 years
ago a major landslide
in the coast range
of western Oregon
sent a mountainside
of debris and house-size
boulders down into and across a deep and narrow river canyon.
The resulting dam combined with the annual rainfall formed Loon
Lake. At its outlet, Mill Creek drops over 120 feet in less
than 1/4 mile of spectacular waterfalls and pools.
Several hundred
years ago, the
first inhabitants
were Indians
who traveled
on foot from
the coast and
from inland valleys.
They came mostly
to Ash Valley
to camp, gather
huckleberries
and hunt elk.
In the year 1850,
when Scottsburg
was becoming
an important
commercial trade
center, two men
were following
Indian trails
when they discovered
the lake and
named it after
the common Loon
duck which they
had seen nesting.
Early settlers
lived in Ash
Valley where
they farmed,
trapped, hunted
and traded for
a living. Not
until the 1930's
did Loon Lake
receive significant
attention when
it was used for
storing logs
for transporting
them by truck
to the mill in
Gardiner on the
coast of Oregon.
The logging road
into the north
end of the lake
provided the
first access
by automobile.
By the early
1960's the site
where logs had
been loaded onto
trucks became
a popular recreation
area for the
whole family.
Recreational
Opportunities
Protected from
coastal winds,
fog and milder
temperatures
than the coast
and inland areas,
Loon Lake is
ideal for camping,
picnicking, hunting,
fishing, water-skiing,
sunbathing, swimming
and hiking. The
natural setting
among the large
Douglas-Fir,
Western Hemlock
and Red Cedar
trees, along
with a sand beach,
boating access
and developed
recreational
facilities have
made Loon Lake
Lodge a popular
scenic recreation
area during the
spring, summer
and fall months.
The fishing is
the best in the
coastal parts
of Oregon with
Largemouth Bass,
Trout and many
other varieties.
Services
Services including
lodging, camping,
deli, store,
gas, boat launch
and rental, ice,
firewood is available
at Loon Lake
Lodge. The lodge
and its facilities
are open for
the whole family.
Spend your vacation,
weekend or enjoy
a one-day visit
to the lodge.
The drive and
areas around
the lake are
very beautiful,
offering opportunities
to see wildlife,
nature and a
hidden valley
that looks a
little bit like
Switzerland or
Austria. The
lake setting
at the lodge
is breathtaking,
summer, fall,
winter and spring.
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