Hosmer Lake
Hosmer Lake
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
120 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
19
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
busconi
Wenatchee, WA5,404 contributions
Jul 2020
Loved, loved, loved this lake. Stayed four days in the Mallard Marsh Campground. We brought our SUPs and paddled every day. The lake sits in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor, South Sister and Broken Top. Very shallow (average depth is 3 feet) with gin clear water, you see large brook trout swimming below you. This is a fly fishing only lake, barbless hooks, catch and release. Loved paddling through the canals with the reeds on both sides and countless birds singing around you. Summer time weekends this lake can get a bit crowded, but during the week there is room for everyone. We will definitely keep this one on our list of favorite paddling lakes.
Written 25 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary C
Bend, OR31 contributions
Jun 2022
An excellent scenic lake that is much more interesting than many of the others, which are simply round ponds. For these reasons it is extremely popular. Finding a parking spot is just about impossible on a sunny summer day. Avoid if you don't like crowds.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
merrillbassman
Bend, OR1 contribution
Hosmer lake is amazing. Although you need a kayak or some sort of boat that can navigate shallow water to see its beauty. The view from the parking is very anticlimactic, but as soon as you begin winding your way through the narrow crystal clear channels that are bordered by reeds you begin to see why this lake is on the list. You can see huge 2+lbs brook trout and atlantic salmon swimming carelessly under your boat. Also I would suggest making the trek up the creek that feeds the lake (if you can find it haha, ask someone where it is or get a cascade lakes paddling guide, it has a map of the lake, if you have never been there it would be very hard to find without some help). It leads up to a small waterfall that is really cool and has great photo opportunities. I wouldn't recommend going up the creek in anything other than a kayak or maybe a canoe. There are some shallow sections, and some very narrow areas. I would suggest going on a day when it will be the least busy. Don't go on a holiday weekend or a weekend in the summer when there is bound to be gobs of people there. I've been there on that type of weekend and there was probably 200 kayaks there. The lake is awesome because it is pristine and it really ruins the experience if there are hundreds of boats out there trying to bump past each other through the narrow areas.
Written 30 November 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rickwinsor
bend13 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
Clear water where you can see Atlantic Salmon and Brook Trout. Fly fishing with barb-less hooks. Many birds. Otters and Beaver. A nature paradise. Usually uncrowded in late afternoon. The "Golden Hours" for photographers. A truly Spiritual experience.
Written 23 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonie s
Portland, OR67 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We used to bypass kayaking at Hosmer because it looked like a very small pond. I couldn't understand why there were so many cars in the parking lot. A friend told me you need to follow the trail through the reeds to get out into the main lake. Once you go through to the lake it's spectacular! Very clear water and you can see many fish under your boat. It's all snowmelt so the water is COLD!
Written 10 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shyne77
Bend, Oregon, United States117 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We camp here every 4th of july. Because there is no running water, it's not as busy as nearby lakes. The setting is peacefully beautiful and especially quiet at in the evening and in the morning. The lake is only accessible via a water craft of sorts and only electric motors if any. We take our paddle boards and paddle throughout the lake and even layout on the center of the lake, soaking up the sun. It's lovely without the crowds. This is a fishing lake and paddle boards and the like can really disrupt the fishing atmosphere during certain times of the day. So we really try to be mindful of who is sharing the lake with us.
Written 8 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoctorM
Bend, OR798 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
I hate to use hyperbole, but this really is the best lake for paddling in all of Oregon. Nearby Sparks Lake comes in a close second.
I used to avoid telling people about Hosmer lake because I didn't want it to become over crowded. Well, that train has long since left the station.
Hosmer is dumbbell-shaped with most people entering at the boat ramp on the lower lake. The non-descript lower lake gives no clue to the beauty that you will encounter as you paddle up to the upper lake. Channels lined with 4 foot tall reeds provide nesting grounds for large numbers of birds. Ospreys and bald eagles can be spotted flying overhead. Beaver and otters dot the channels at night. And you be able to see countless large fish as you paddle through the clear waters.
As you reach the upper lake, you will be greeted by an impressive unobstructed view of South Sister, Broken Top and Mount Bachelor. Continue through the upper lake and you will encounter Quinn Creek and a small waterfall which feeds the lake with glacial snow melt.
Fishing can range from fantastic to frustrating. All those huge fish you can see? Well, they can see you too. Fly fishing only. NO gasoline motors.
ODFW stopped the stocking of Atlantic Salmon in this lake in 2014. These fish were not robust and tended to be unhealthy in this confined mountain lake. The lake has been stocked with more aggressive 'cut throat' trout for the past two years to accompany the native brook trout population. A few Atlantic salmon hold-overs are still hooked but they are strictly catch and release.
Hosmer can become down-right crazy crowded on summer weekends with dozens of kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards trying to maneuver through the narrow channels. Intelligent fly fishers will be found on the lake mid-week and from 5pm to dark
There is NO drinking water, no electricity, and no food at Hosmer Pit toilets and only un-improved campsites. Hosmer is at 5000ft elevation so wear lots of sunscreen.
I used to avoid telling people about Hosmer lake because I didn't want it to become over crowded. Well, that train has long since left the station.
Hosmer is dumbbell-shaped with most people entering at the boat ramp on the lower lake. The non-descript lower lake gives no clue to the beauty that you will encounter as you paddle up to the upper lake. Channels lined with 4 foot tall reeds provide nesting grounds for large numbers of birds. Ospreys and bald eagles can be spotted flying overhead. Beaver and otters dot the channels at night. And you be able to see countless large fish as you paddle through the clear waters.
As you reach the upper lake, you will be greeted by an impressive unobstructed view of South Sister, Broken Top and Mount Bachelor. Continue through the upper lake and you will encounter Quinn Creek and a small waterfall which feeds the lake with glacial snow melt.
Fishing can range from fantastic to frustrating. All those huge fish you can see? Well, they can see you too. Fly fishing only. NO gasoline motors.
ODFW stopped the stocking of Atlantic Salmon in this lake in 2014. These fish were not robust and tended to be unhealthy in this confined mountain lake. The lake has been stocked with more aggressive 'cut throat' trout for the past two years to accompany the native brook trout population. A few Atlantic salmon hold-overs are still hooked but they are strictly catch and release.
Hosmer can become down-right crazy crowded on summer weekends with dozens of kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards trying to maneuver through the narrow channels. Intelligent fly fishers will be found on the lake mid-week and from 5pm to dark
There is NO drinking water, no electricity, and no food at Hosmer Pit toilets and only un-improved campsites. Hosmer is at 5000ft elevation so wear lots of sunscreen.
Written 8 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T-riz
Bend, OR23 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
One of the best things about Hosmer is how quiet and undisturbed it can be. It is not far from being a nature preserve. Seen as a place to get away and clear your head. So, if you choose Hosmer as your destination to paddle, respect fisherman by not paddling through their cast zone (15 yards) and smooth paddling. Then we all can have fun and extraordinary experiences.
Written 27 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt J
Bend, OR55 contributions
Feb 2012 • Solo
No motors on lake so this is the one to take your raft or kayak out on. Ideal for fly fishing. Even if you don't catch one you'll be blown away by the sights of the cascades and large fish!
Written 6 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Batman1956x
Sisters, OR2 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Great Lake except people were talking on cell phones in speaker mode. Nobody used there library voices, voice carried across the lake. Tired of hearing about diets, recipes, who is mad at who, gossip gossip, gossip...enough! A wonderful place to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery that Central Oregon has to offer and we were surrounded by people who couldn't leave their "lives" behind and ruin it for those of us who were trying to escape the everyday noise. Please be respectful of others who are trying to enjoy nature.
Go early, limited parking.
Go early, limited parking.
Written 12 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samantharosewalter
Corvallis, Oregon
When I was a kid we used to rent a canoe from the camp host for day trips. Are there still canoe rentals available?
Written 20 July 2017
Danielle C
Bend, Oregon
Hi! We rent to people going up to Hosmer to paddle kayaks and paddleboards! Bend Kayak School and Rentals has all day rentals and we supply padding for your cartop as well as straps etc. We love to get people out on the water and giblve tips on the treasures to find in paddling. :)
Written 23 June 2018
is there cell service by any chance- we have a family member that is ill and wonder how far we need to travel to stay in touch.....
Written 8 August 2016
Yes. There's a full service cell tower atop Mt Bachelor, that is line of sight fm Hosmer. Excellent reception.
Written 9 August 2016
Do you know if you can camp outside of the campgrounds? Say, along the water?
Written 21 June 2016
there is one primo spot that is not in the campground, which is right on the water. Accessible only by boat, and probably pretty hard to get, because there's always someone there when I paddle by.
Head north towards Bachelor, so go left at every junction in the channels. It's probably about 1 mile north of the boat launch ramp, on your right, as you come out of a narrow channel where it changes into more open water. Stunning spot if you can snag it. Unfortunately because of so many reeds there are almost no campsites right on the water.
Written 22 June 2016
We're from out of town and we'd like to kayak Hosmer Lake. Is there someplace other than Bend where we can rent kayaks? Can we rent from Elk Lake and bring to Hosmer?
Written 12 July 2015
The last reviewer is correct, your best bet is Bend. There are plenty of places to rent, but it's also not that far from Hosmer to Bend. I was just at the Elk Lake Lodge, and I definitely had the impression that the kayaks and SUP's available for rent, are for that lake only. No take-aways. But, you could always call and double check, phone 541-480-7378.
Written 13 July 2015
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