About LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE
Overview The Bureau of Land Management's Loon Lake Recreation Site is located in the heart of Oregon's Coast Range at an elevation of 392 feet, just 20 miles east-southeast of Reedsport, Oregon. Loon Lake Recreation Site is one of the Coast Range's few recreation areas with a warm, sandy beach. The lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and other water activities. The site offers a campground and day use area, though visitors should note that there is no cell phone coverage in the area. Loon Lake Recreation Site's operating season is from Memorial Day weekend to September 30th. The Coos Bay District Office in North Bend, OR manages Loon Lake Recreation Site.Please visit the BLM Loon Lake Recreation Site website for more information.Recreation Loon Lake is a family-oriented recreation site, treasured by locals for generations. The site offers a myriad of recreational opportunities, including camping, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, swimming, and waterplay. Visitors can also enjoy relaxing on the warm, sandy beach. Other popular activities at Loon Lake include picnicking, hiking, birding, horseshoe tossing, and barbecuing. Campsites have paved parking pads and ample shade from old growth trees. The day use area boasts picnic tables, barbecue grills, swim area, fishing dock, and boat launch. A short, 1/4 mile trail to a waterfall on Elliott State Forest land begins at the south end of the day use area and takes hikers through a quiet and serene segment of old growth forest. Facilities Loon Lake offers 53 campsites that accomodate tents, trucks, trailers, and/or RVs. All campsites contain a fire ring and picnic table. Most sites have a barbecue grill and/or tent pad. Double sites have two picnic tables and larger, or multiple, tent pads. In addition, the site contains flush toilet facilities, vault toilets, children's play area, day use picnic tables and barbecue grills, amphitheatre, boat launch, and fishing dock. Natural Features Loon Lake Recreat
How to Get There
From I-5 in Oregon, take the Drain Exit (#162) south of Cottage Grove. Travel 43 miles west on OR-38 W to Loon Lake Road, 4 miles west of Scottsburg. From US HWY 101 in Reedsport, travel 13 miles east on OR-38 E to Loon Lake Road. Watch for Loon Lake Recreation Site sign on OR-38 between mileposts 13 and 14. Turn south onto Loon Lake Road, then travel 7 miles to the recreation site. When you come onto the Loon Lake Recreation Site sign on your left, the entrance is to the right, between the large boulders.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
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Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
- 🌡
Layers for swings
Daily temp range is wide (46°F low → 70°F high). Pack layers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection (UV 7)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE
Heading to LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE?
No central reservation system listed for LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234076) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE?
From I-5 in Oregon, take the Drain Exit (#162) south of Cottage Grove. Travel 43 miles west on OR-38 W to Loon Lake Road, 4 miles west of Scottsburg. From US HWY 101 in Reedsport, travel 13 miles east on OR-38 E to Loon Lake Road. Watch for Loon Lake Recreation Site sign on OR-38 between mileposts 13 and 14. Turn south onto Loon Lake Road, then travel 7 miles to the recreation site. When you come …
How do I contact LOON LAKE RECREATION SITE?
You can reach the park at phone: COOS BAY DISTRICT OFFICE MAIN NUMBER 541-756-0100 or email: BLM_OR_CB_Mail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources