The jewel of the Cascades is Diamond Lake. That is very popular among trout fishers, campers, swimmers, hikers, sailors, bicyclers, and boaters, or ice skaters, skiers, and snowmobilers. This picturesque lake is located on the Douglas County side of the Cascade Crest, within the Umpqua National Forest, at an elevation of 5,138 feet.
The U.S. state of Oregon contains a natural body of lake water. Diamond Lake is near Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230. Located just north of Crater Lake National Park, it sits between Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen.
At the north end of the lake, there is an outlet. Through Diamond Lake Creek, water flows to the North Umpqua River and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean. Diamond Lake was named after John Diamond, who named Diamond Peak as well.
During the summit of Diamond Peak in 1852, he saw the lake. During the opening of an immigration route between the Middle Fork Willamette River and Idaho, Diamond was part of a pioneer settlement party in Coburg, Oregon.
The adjacent post office to Diamond Lake was opened in 1925, but it was closed down in 1956 and became a summer-only office. Major League Fishing Championships have also been held at Diamond Lake in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
A cycling event the Tour de Diamond takes place at Diamond Lake every summer. There is no other event of such caliber on the calendar of the North American Cycling Organization. The large populations of aquatic insects make this lake an ideal place to fish even though rainbow trout are not native to the lake due to a lack of spawning habitat.
A Canadian strain of rainbow trout was stocked in the lake in 1954. Afterward, it was treated for rough fish in 1954 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Local strains were added in about 1970. After the appearance of a single tui chub in the lake in January 2016, Oregon announced they would release up to 25,000 fish-eating tiger trout into it to prevent further damage. Fishing from boats is popular near Silent Creek and in deep water north of the creek. Throughout the lake, there are five boat ramps with paved access. The lake has a speed limit of 10 mph.
Bank fishing is productive near Diamond Lake Resort, Lake Creek, and campgrounds operated by the United States Forest Service. In general, fishing is permitted on the lake from late April to late October. The Pacific Crest Trail and Crater Lake are both nearby, as are the summits of Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen. There are 11 miles of partially paved bike paths along the lake trails.
An area is a popular place for wildlife viewing and bird watching. There is one state park closest to Diamond Lake: Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area. Diamond Lake is served by four Forest Service campgrounds.
A total of 240 campsites are located at Diamond Lake Campground; 148 sites are located at Broken Arrow Campground; 58 sites are available at Thielsen View Campground along the west shore, and five sites are available in the South Shore Area. There are picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and garbage bins on some campgrounds. Some campgrounds also have RV hookups.
A swimming beach, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and playground are among the amenities at South Shore Picnic Area. In summer and fall, the Lake is a popular place for swimming, horseback riding, and hunting. Skiing, snowmobiling, sled dog racing, Nordic skiing, and inner tubing are among the winter sports that are popular.
The Diamond Lake Resort at the eastern end of the lake has lodging, restaurants, shops, a boat rental service, and a horse rental service. In the Grimm season 5 episode 8, there is a fictitious ‘Diamond Lake Monster’ that is central to the plot.
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