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 Fourmile
Lake Oregon
Fourmile Lake is located in Approximately 40 miles from
Klamath Falls, Oregon off of Highway 140 near Lake of
the Woods.
Fourmile Lake is the last
lake south in the Sky Lakes Wilderness area. The Sky
Lakes Wilderness straddles southern Oregon's Cascade
Range from Crater Lake National Park southward to Fourmile Lake and Highway 140. This is a beautiful lake
next to Mount McLoughlin with a high elevation mixed
conifer forest dominated by mountain hemlock, Douglas
fir, white fir and Shasta red fir. Around the lake
itself there are extensive stands of lodgepole pine. The
lake is at 5744’ in elevation, top of McLoughlin is
9,495 feet.
There is a Forest Service campground at the southern end
of the lake with a boat ramp. Most of the lake is
surrounded by the Sky Lakes Wilderness and is only
accessible by foot or boat. The campground is also the
trailhead for the Long Lake trail that leads north into
the Sky Lakes Wilderness area and the Rye Spur trail
that goes south to Lake of the Woods.
Detailed trail maps for the Forest and the wilderness
area can be obtained at the Forest Service offices
listed on this page below.
Birds to Look For:
While traveling along the Fourmile Lake Road, you will
travel through various forest types and logged areas. In
older forest stands, look and listen for Blue Grouse,
Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Olive-sided
and Hammond’s Flycatchers, Gray Jay, Chestnut-backed
Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend’s Solitaire,
Hermit Thrush, Solitary Vireo, Hermit Warbler, and
Evening Grosbeak. In more open stands or clearings, look
for Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds, Red-breasted
Sapsucker, Western Wood-Peewee, Dusky Fycatcher,
Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Mountain Bluebird, Warbling Vireo,
Orange-crowned and Nashville Warblers, Western Tanager,
Green-tailed Towhee, Red Crossbill and more.
Four Mile Lake
In the lodgepole stands around the lake, look and listen
for Black-backed Woodpecker, Purple Martin (rare),
Clark’s Nutcracker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped
and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Lazuli Bunting, Lincoln’s
Sparrow and Cassin’s Finch. There may also be some
waterbirds on the lake as well.
How to Reach the Site:
From Klamath Falls, travel west on Highway 140 toward
Lake of the Woods. Turn right (north) onto Fourmile Lake
Road (Forest Service Rd. 3661). There is a sign for the
lake on the Highway It is about 6 miles to the lake on
an improved dirt (cinder) road which is only passable
during the summer and early fall. The road ends at the
lake.
Fourmile Lake Campground
Camping and Picnicking
Fourmile Lake Campground is located at the foot of
spectacular Mt. McLaughlin and on the shores of
beautiful Fourmile Lake. Travel 35 miles northwest of
Klamath Falls on Highway 140 to Road 3661, then six
miles north to the lake. This site is operated by a
concessionaire. The area offers camping, boating,
fishing, picnicking, and hiking. It is a great starting
point for your exploration of Sky Lakes Wilderness and
Mt. McLaughlin.
Amenities include hand pumped water and stock
loading facilities. There is a fee for use of the area.
Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plenty of wildlife to enjoy and a great place to see Mount McLoughlin
at 9,495 feet.
Comments from an a avid outdoor person and
horseman wrote:
" My observations of the location is that Campsites are
very nice and relaxing (picnic tables and fire pits in
sites, corrals are sound (bring a spare long rope for a
gate as there was no gate offered at the time of my
visit), trails and riding options are very good. Clean
and well kept park. Great views and numerous small lakes
to visit in a short ride".
Recreational activities:
•Camping
•Fishing
•Swimming
•Boating
•Hiking & more |
