Lake Billy Chinnok in Oregon

Trip Overview

We went for a three day camping trip to Lake Billy Chinook at the confluence of the Metolius, Deschutes, and Crooked Rivers. The lake is actually a man-made reservoir, and the reservoir itself can be crowded with motor boats and jet skis.

We headed up the Deschutes River arm one day (launched at Upper Descchutes Day Use Area) and the Crooked River arm another day (launched at the Crooked River Day Use Area). If you paddle upstream on either arm and go past the bridges, there is a 10 mph speed limit so there are virtually no motor boats there. Up in these canyons you'll find amazing cliffs and canyons, solitude, and lots of birds. Also a great hiking trail, Tam a Lau, from the Uppper Deschutes Day Use area takes you to the rim.

Accommodations:

Camping and day use areas; Deschutes campground in the Cove Palisades State Park has full-service campground

Outfitting:

Kayak 14.5' Perception Carolina

Kayak 16' Old Town Adventure XL

Fees:

Day use fee $3 or Year-Round Oregon State Park pass

Directions:

From Bend, OR take Hwy 97 to Culver, then follow signs a mile or two