📷 Photo by Philip Calderone on UnsplashDiamond Lake
Diamond Lake, OR
A high lake at the foot of Mount Thielsen, just north of Crater Lake, with a paved path around much of the shore and large forest campgrounds. Mosquitoes are fierce in early summer.
Diamond Lake is a mountain lake in the Umpqua National Forest in southern Oregon, at 5,138 feet (1,566 m) between the volcanoes Mount Thielsen and Mount Bailey, a few miles north of Crater Lake National Park. It covers about 3,000 acres (roughly 1,230 hectares), is 3.5 miles long and fairly shallow, averaging around 22 feet. According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, the basin formed through volcanic activity of Mount Mazama about 6,600 years ago.
In summer you can fish for trout, swim, sail and cycle. A paved path circles the lake; its length is given as anywhere from 10.5 to 11.6 miles (about 17 to 19 km), depending on the source. Three Forest Service campgrounds offer about 450 sites in total, which are often full in summer. In winter the lake draws snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
Time-sensitive (as of October 2026): on August 21, 2026 the Forest Service issued a blue-green algae precaution for Diamond Lake and Lemolo Lake, in place until the visible bloom fades. Weekly tests through September found no harmful toxin levels. Check the current status before swimming.
- Nearest town
- Diamond Lake, OR
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 43.1650, -122.1400
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Diamond Lake Trailer CourtMotorhome stopover2 mi from Diamond LakeMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Digit Point CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Diamond LakeTentsToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Farewell Bend CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Diamond LakeTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Union Creek CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Diamond LakeTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Indigo Springs CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Diamond Lake · 3 pitchesTentsFree
- Sacandaga CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Diamond Lake · 17 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking water
All campsites in Oregon · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Diamond Lake?
Diamond Lake is in Diamond Lake, OR, at GPS 43.1650, -122.1400. It is about 19 mi from Chemult.
Can you camp near Diamond Lake?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Diamond Lake Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 62 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Diamond Lake?
Diamond Lake is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake and Volcanic craters, lava fields and alpine lakes: by camper through Oregon’s Cascades.
What is there to see near Diamond Lake?
Places worth a stop nearby: Watson Falls (14 mi), Crater Lake National Park (15 mi), Toketee Falls (16 mi) and Rogue River Gorge (23 mi).
When is the best time to visit Diamond Lake?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)