Emigrant Lake: Worth the Drive

Whether it’s Just Five-Minutes or Five-Hours

An Evolving History

Emigrant Lake is a manmade lake, created by the Emigrant Dam, originally built in 1924. It’s just a five-minute drive from the City of Ashland and a great place to spend the day. The dam was built by the Talent Irrigation District to water the many farms and orchards in the region. During the early years of the lake’s existence a town grew next to the new recreation area called Klamath Junction. Klamath Junction was a small town but had a restaurant, dance hall, and more than one gas station! Unfortunately for the town, the Talent Irrigation District determined there was a need for greater capacity in the reservoir and in 1960 nearly doubled the size of the dam and lake, submerging the town (and its gas stations) below the water. Remnants of Klamath Junction became visible during the severe drought of 2014.

Despite the closure of the two waterslides and swimming pools at the water’s edge, run by Jackson County Parks Department from 1984 until 2022, you can still have a blast at Emigrant Lake. When the lake is more than half full and the sky is clear from wildfire smoke, the water activities and many trails continue to be a good source of recreation for everyone in Jackson County. 

Water Recreation

Emigrant Lake is a great place to go and have fun on the water with many activities and great views! There are many water activities such as boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing to enjoy. Boating at Emigrant Lake is a popular activity that brings people to the lake. As well as boating, you can participate in jet skiing and water skiing. Do be aware of the wake zones and other people in the water while on the boat or jet skis. Emigrant Lake also offers rentals of paddleboards and kayaks for $40 for two hours. This is great for those who do not have their own but still want to use one for the day at the lake. Paddleboarding and kayaking at Emigrant Lake is a relaxing activity to enjoy while still getting out and being active on the water. Fishing at Emigrant Lake is known for trout, bass and crappie. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout each fall and spring making them the more ideal seasons for fishing. Summer has more people and boats in addition to other activities on the water that make the fish more scarce and timid to bite. All of these activities are great to enjoy with family and friends for a day at Emigrant Lake!

Camping for Everyone

Want to enjoy Emigrant Lake for more than just one day? These beautiful lakeside campsites will immerse you in nature while only being a short drive from downtown Ashland! This location features RV sites at the Point RV Park as well as tent campsites at the Oak Slope campground, perfect for campers and glampers alike. The RV sites offer a full hookup for trailers, and all sites include a fire ring, picnic table, and nearby bathroom.

While planning your stay, it is important to note that these different campsites have different availability depending on the time of year. The Point RV Park is open to campers year round, while the Oak Slope campground is open mid-April to mid-October. Reservations are not required, yet are recommended, and can be made online or over the phone. More information about fees and reservation details can be found on the Emigrant Lake County Park website.

Trails and Wildlife

An Oasis nestled between rolling hills, Emigrant lake offers a mix of paved, gravel, natural and uneven terrain. While the park does not have any marked fully-ADA designated trails, several areas are commonly used. The paved park roads provide a relatively flat and scenic route running parallel with the lakeshore, with access to picnic areas, the marina and other stunning viewpoints . The County Park Loop is also mostly paved with some elevation changes making it a more challenging but doable adventure. From paved family trails to advanced climbers, this park has it. The trailhead area is a great place to warm up your body with one to three miles of easy and moderate trails which are great for young families wanting a “real trail” experience without big climbs. Solo adventurers or more active hikers might enjoy the moderate trails found in the Hobart Bluff area. The Hobart Bluff area has three to six miles of steeper hills, big valley views, and fewer crowds. 

If you want a moderate feel but longer route, Green Springs Mountain backcountry might be for you.This trail has four to eight miles of rolling trails with steady climbing, where you can immerse yourself in the less-developed forested trail, surrounded by wildlife and wildflowers intense with colors. 

The wildlife found in this park is abundant and diverse due to the diversity of habitat. Emigrant Lake has a riparian habitat and an upland habitat in the higher elevations. Canadian Geese and Mallard Ducks migrate during the Fall and Spring, although waterfowl hunting has been banned in the park since 1993. Bird watching is plentiful with hunting Osprey, Sandpipers, and Great Blue Heron. Emigrant Lake is one of the best spots for bird watching in the valley!  Leaving the lake shore and entering the upland habitat you’ll see Black-Tailed Jackrabbits, Raccoons, Coyotes, Opossum, Gray Fox, Porcupines and a variety of other rodents and bats, especially if you take advantage of the cooler mornings. In the warmer weather, you can see Western Fence Lizards, Skinks, Rattlesnakes, and Common Kingsnakes in the cliffs around the lake.  It’s recommended that you bring closed-toe shoes, especially between the months of April to October. Due to the heavy recreational use, the wildlife habitat is degrading to some degree, so be intentional, watch your dogs, and clean up after yourself. 

The Downsides of Emigrant Lake 

Despite all it has to offer, Emigrant Lake does have notable downsides, especially toward the end of summer. As water levels drop and temperatures rise, the lake is prone to outbreaks of harmful cyanobacteria, often referred to as blue-green algae. This naturally occurring bacteria thrives in warm, slow-moving water and can produce toxins that make swimming, paddleboarding, and even fishing unsafe during certain periods. Health advisories are sometimes issued warning visitors to avoid contact with the water, as exposure can cause symptoms such as nausea, skin irritation, headaches, and more serious health risks for pets and young children. These blooms can appear suddenly and linger even when the water looks clear, adding an element of unpredictability for late-season visitors. Combined with fluctuating water levels and reduced water quality, these conditions can limit recreation at certain times of year, but with awareness, seasonal planning, and attention to advisories, Emigrant Lake can still be safely enjoyed and appreciated as a valuable natural and recreational space for the community.