Fun Recreational Activities

Devils Lake offers outstanding recreational opportunities. Located so close to the Pacific Ocean, Devils Lake visitors and residents can enjoy the best of both aquatic worlds. The Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) at 801 SW Hwy 101 has brochures about activities in the area. Visit their website at www.oregoncoast.org, or call 1-800-452-2151. Oregon Coast Today is a publication with a comprehensive list of events at www.oregoncoasttoday.com.

For information on the arts, churches, concerts, events, glass floats, history, lodging for tourists, restaurants, services, shopping, theater and other attractions contact the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, or the Chinook Winds Casino.

Art & Culture | Biking | Bird Watching | Boating | Camping | Children's Activities | Events | Fishing | Fitness Centers | Golf | Handicapped Access | Hiking & Walking | Lodging | Parks, Open Spaces & Trails | Photography | Picnicking | RVs | Rock Wall Climbing |Skate Boarding | Swimming | Tennis | Wind Surfing

BOATERS AND SWIMMERS - PLEASE STAY SAFE: Lifeguards are not on duty at the swimming areas around Devils Lake. Wear a lifejacket in or near the water and boats, and on or near docks around Devils Lake, especially if you do not swim. Parents should have their children wear approved lifejackets or swimsuits with approved floating features built into the design, especially if their children do not know how to swim.

In 2006, the Lincoln City Cultural Center (formerly the 4C's - Coastal Cultural Community Center) occupied the historical DeLake School west of West Devils Lake State Park. Special events are planned such as plays (both adult and children), musical concerts, art classes and exhibits. See www.lincolncityarts.org.

Make your own glass float. The Glass Arts Studio is located in the historical Taft District of Lincoln City. Professional glass blowers are there to guide you through the process of making your own glass float. See www.oregoncoast.org

A brochure on biking around Lincoln City is available from the VCB. Watch for bike route markers. Use extreme caution when riding around Devils Lake, especially the portion along Hwy 101. Watch for log trucks.

A brochure on Birds of the Lincoln City Area is available from the VCB. Around Devils Lake watch for:
1. Dabbling Ducks: American Coot, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard
2. Diving Ducks: Bufflehead, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck
3. Fish-Eating Birds: Cormorant, Pied-Billed Grebe, Western Grebe.
Countless other birds such as the Blue Heron, Egret, and Belted-Kingfisher can be seen around the lake.
An active bald eagle nest is located in the Devils Lake watershed. They have been seen dipping down into the lake to catch fish. Thanks to PADL member Al Rice, Devils Lake has about 40 wood duck boxes. He tabulates their hatching success and reports annually. Neotropical migratory birds have been of particular concern. International Migratory Bird Day is the second Saturday in May. The event website is www.birdday.org.
Hunting Waterfowl on Devils Lake is prohibited.
Click here for more information.

Oregon Coast Birding Trail is now online at www.oregoncoastbirding.com. Several sites around the lake are the D River Wayside, West Devils Lake State Park, Rock Creek marsh (Seid Creek Open Space) and Spring Lake Open Space.

A Devils Lake Water Improvement District brochure with watercraft rules is available from the VCB.
Mandatory Boater Education Cards
Take a boater safety course. The Red Cross offers classes using the Boat Oregon - a Course in Responsible Boating curriculum sponsored by the Oregon State Marine Board. The Marine Board website is www.boatoregon.com. Take a boater safety course. The Red Cross offers classes using the Boat Oregon - a Course on Responsible Boating curriculum sponsored by the Oregon State Marine Board. In 2006, all persons 50 or younger operating a power boat of 10 h.p. or more are required to carry boater education cards. The card is also required for youths aged 12 to 15 who operate any size power boat.
   Safety regulations make the use of seat cushions as life preservers illegal. There must be a Coast Guard approved life jacket on board for every person. On a boat 16 feet or over, there must be a Coast Guard approved throwable life ring or cushion.

Boat launching sites:
1. East Devils Lake State Park, off East Devils Lake Road, south end of the lake
2. Holmes Road Park, off West Devils Lake Road & NE Holmes Road
3. Regatta Park, off West Devils Lake Road & NE 14th

Local courtesy rules include: Motorized watercraft and their towed apparatus are asked to respect a 100 foot safety no-wake zone around the perimeter of the lake, except where official 200 foot zones apply. In general, treat other water users as you would prefer they treat you. Jet skiers should respect the no-wake zone.
  The Blue Heron Landing at the north end of Devils Lake offers bumper-boating, and boat rentals. West Devils Lake State Park has guided kayak tours during the summer. See www.oregonstateparks.org/park_216.php. In the State Parks website click on "See more photos" to view the panoramas. The panoramas take time to load but are worth the wait. Water-skiing, and canoeing are popular. In October the American Power Boat Association offers the Rocky Stone Memorial Race. Power boat speed records are set on Devils Lake.

Boaters are asked to help weed out aquatic stowaways. Remove all weed fragments from your boat and trailer before launching into Devils Lake and before transporting to another body of water. Click here for more information. Also see information about legislation and laws.

West Devils Lake State Park located off Hwy 101 just north of the D River has 100 spaces for tents and recreational vehicles. Yurts (round tents) can be rented. There is a dock to tie up a boat. Boats are usually launched from East Devils Lake State on the east side of Devils Lake located off East Devils Lake Road, east of the Factory Store Outlet turn. Reservations are recommended during the summer. The State Park's website is http://egov.oregon.gov/OPRD/index.shtml. In the State Parks website click on "See more photos" to view the panoramas. The panoramas take time to load but are worth the wait. A KOA Kampground is located at the north end of the lake off East Devils Lake Road. One room cabins are also available for rent.

Regatta Park off West Devils Lake Road and NE 14th Street has the Sandcastle Playground with slides and swings. Click here for more information.

Check this website and the VCB website for a calendar of events. Several events are held annually.
April: Earth Day
May: International Migratory Bird Day
June: PADL annual meeting, National Trails Day, Devils Lake Fishing Derby held on Father's Day weekend.
July: Lakes Appreciation Month
September: Erosion Prevention Awareness Month, Watershed Weeks, Lincoln City Sprint Triathlon - bike, run, swim around Devils Lake
October: Watershed Weeks, Devils Lake Kilo speed boat races
Devils Lake has been the site for sea planes to fly in for a group gathering.
The D River State Wayside is the site of spring and fall Kite Festivals.

Hatchery raised Rainbow Trout are stocked annually by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (as many as 6,500 "planted" at a time).
• Devils Lake is managed to provide protection for wild coho salmon.
• Only finclipped hatchery trout may be kept.
• Non-finclipped wild trout and salmon must be released unharmed.
   Consult a current sport fishing regulation book. Contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for information about fishing licenses. Look for information signs around the lake about what fish can legally be kept. Devils Lake and its tributaries are habitat for coho salmon, and young salmon smolt can be confused with rainbow trout. Click here for more information.
   The Grass Carp are stocked by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District as a method of controlling vegetation. Possession of Chinese Grass Carp (White Amur) is prohibited. Click here for more information.
    Obey the boating rules, and acquire the mandatory boater education card.
   Lead tackle - In Minnesota - The Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) is partnering with the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to offer lead tackle exchanges at various events during the summer. This gives anglers a chance to trade in lead tackle for non-lead tackle. Devils Lake anglers are encouraged to not use lead tackle.
http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/sinkers.cfm

Devils Lake Golf Course, north of Devils Lake, has a fitness center, and personal trainers. The Lincoln City Community Center, located at NE 22nd, has a fitness center.

Just north of Devils Lake off Hwy 101 is the Chinook Winds Golf Course with restaurant and fitness center.

Large wheeled chairs may be rented to allow people with disabilities to access the beach and other natural areas. Check with the VCB.

A brochure on Lincoln City Area Hiking Trails is available from the VCB, or scroll to Parks, Open Spaces & Trails for a listing. It is possible to walk the 9 miles around Devils Lake. The surface is paved. It is better to travel counter clockwise, so that you are facing traffic when you reach Neotsu and Highway 101, which has a very narrow shoulder. Watch for log trucks and wide vehicles. There is a year-round, self-guided Volkssport Walk that leaves from the Sea Gypsy Motel north of the D River. The walk is a 10K (6.2 miles) around part of the Devils Lake watershed, but does not go near the lake.

West Devils Lake State Park has a new interpretive wetlands trail from the park to the D River Open Space.

The VCB has a brochure on lodging, and information is posted on their website at www.oregoncoast.org. A recreational vehicle park is located west of The Blue Heron Landing. West Devils Lake State Park near the D River has camping year-round, and has several yurts. Their website is www.oregonstateparks.org/park_216.php. In the State Parks website click on "See more photos" to view the panoramas. The panoramas take time to load but are worth the wait. The Lake House Bed and Breakfast offers a homey place to stay. Their website is www.lakehousebb.com.

The VCB has a brochure about Lincoln City Hiking Trails.
Parks around Devils Lake:
1. D River Park, north of the D River, includes open space
2. East Devils Lake State Park - off East Devils Lake Road, picnicking, restroom, boat ramp
3. Holmes Road Park - off West Devils Lake Road, Naturescaping Garden, boat ramp, restroom
4. Regatta Park - off West Devils Lake Road, picnicking, nature trail, restroom, boat ramp, swimming, children's playground
5. Sand Point Park - off East Devils Lake State Road, picnicking, restroom, swimming
Open Spaces in the Devils Lake watershed:
1. Alice Park, near the Regatta Grounds, no trails
2. Burrows, SE 3rd, no trails
3. D River, no trails, proposed interpretive area
4. Friends of Wildwoods and Trails - off West Devils Lake Road and NE 26th, 33 acres, natural surface trail
5. Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital has an optimist trail loop for easy walking
6. Seid Creek - south end of Devils Lake off East Devils Lake State Park, no trails
7. Spring Lake - off West Devils Lake Road and NE 14th, 25 acres, natural, gravel, and paved (ADA) surface trails

Picnic tables are located at several locations around Devils Lake.
1. Regatta Park - off West Devils Lake Road, a covered gazebo can be reserved for a fee from the Parks and Recreation Department.
2. Sand Point Park - off East Devils Lake Road
3. East Devils Lake State Park - off East Devils Lake Road

Parks, open spaces and trails offer opportunities to photograph nature. Bi-Mart and Rite-Aid at the north end of town, and The Shutterbug at the Factory Mall offer film developing services.

Pick up a Quest book for $6.00 at the Lincoln City Community Center. The book has maps and clues for several adventures (like a treasure hunt) to discover Lincoln County. The D River Quest is about invasive species.

The Lincoln City Community Center has an indoor rock wall for climbing.

West Devils Lake State Park by the D River has overnight RV sites. An RV park is located west of the Blue Heron Landing off West Devils Lake Road. The KOA campground has overnight sites.

Lincoln City has a world-class skate board park. A covered park with a cradle was recently added. The park is located east of Kirtsis Park off NE 22nd west of Devils Lake. Annual competitions are held.

Lifeguards are not on duty at the swimming areas. Wear a lifejacket if you are not a good swimmer.
Devils Lake has two designated swimming areas.
1. Regatta Park - off West Devils Lake Road
2. Sand Point Park - off East Devils Lake Road
The Lincoln City Community Center offers indoor swimming year-round and swimming classes. It is located at 2150 NE Oar Place. The Pacific Ocean is to the west of Devils Lake. Lincoln City has over 7 miles of beach. Watch out for sneaker waves on the beach, and stay away from logs that might roll in the surf.

Two tennis courts are located at the park behind the Dorchester House, 2701 NW Hwy 101.

The wind on Devils Lake can be calmer than on the ocean. Launch areas include East Devils Lake State Park, Regatta Park, Holmes Road Park, and Sand Point Park.

Photo: Devils Lake boating (Susie Fischer)

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Copyright © 2003-2011 Preservation Association of Devils Lake (PADL).
All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 36
Lincoln City, OR 97367
PADLsteward@wcn.net