Lakeview prides themselves on their tight knit community that lives the slow life, making time to chat with strangers, taking time to tell their stories. We quickly adapted to things and took our time to enjoy the beauty of the area and get to know the people of Lakeview.
HISTORY
Lakeview is located in Oregon’s high desert and is at an elevation of 4804 feet. making it the highest city in Oregon. Mapped out in 1876, Lakeview started out as the main market town, primarily for ranchers in the surrounding area. Still to this day ranching is strong in Lakeview and the whole of Lake County.
WHAT TO DO
Life in Lakeview is built on the outdoor life; being surrounded by lakes, forests and rivers gives multiple opportunities to explore the beauty of the area.
HIKE | MOUNTAIN BIKE | HORSEBACK RIDE
NONI TRAIL AKA BULLARD CANYON TRAIL
Literally right in town, the Noni Trail starts behind the Lakeview Community pool with a view of the town from above. 3.5 miles of easy hiking, with a gradual climb, it’s a great hike for the family. It takes you along trees and rock outcroppings with plenty of natural brush and animal viewing.
Oregon Timber Trail
Divided into four unique tiers, the Oregon Timber Trail is approachable by a wide variety of cyclists. If it sounds familiar, you’re not mistaken: the Oregon Timber Trail is inspired by the Pacific Crest Trail and other trails in the National Scenic Trail system. What sets it apart is that it’s designed with mountain biking in mind and consists of more than 60 percent singletrack. The Fremont Tier of this one-of-a-kind trail begins in Lakeview, so ride for an hour or for a day on this amazing new trail system right from downtown.
ROGGER MEADOW TRAIL
Rogger Meadow Trail is only 35 minutes east of Lakeview in the south Warner Mountains and is snow-free June through October. GET THERE
SOUTH FORK CROOKED CREEK TRAILHEAD
South Fork Crooked Creek Trail takes you through large ponderosa pines and stands of aspen trees, a gorgeous hike for the fall. GET THERE
WARNER CANYON SKI AREA
Warner Canyon Ski Area isn’t just a ski and snowboard hill–it’s a community gathering spot. People tailgate, blast music, fire up their grills, and just enjoy the day. The lodge gets packed with skiers and snowboarders and onlookers who sip hot cocoa and watch the action outside, and there is also a large deck complete with fire pits to warm you up. A great way to spend the day as a family or stop in just to hangout since it is literally fifteen minutes from the center of town.
Stroll the town
Antique shop to your heart’s content at Feather Your Nest Antiques & Consignment. They have a huge collection of colored antique and Depression glass for collectors, and they are also a consignment shop so you can find clothes, video games, toys, and whatever treasures you can dig up!
Right next door to Feather Your Nest is Mike’s Estate Sales! Get there early for best pickins!
The Alger Theatre just raised enough funds to get their vintage sign relit and they are working to remodel it into its original glory. Walk through the doors and you feel like you are transported to a bygone time. Most of the original architecture is there, along with the original placards for the restrooms, clocks, and other décor. During the summer they will be hosting regular movie nights and live music to become the heart of community entertainment. Read more about their efforts HERE.
Museums
MC Chuck Wagon Western Heritage Exhibit
The MC Chuck Wagon Western Heritage Exhibit is a walk around interpretive museum viewed through the display windows surrounding the building. Push a button and your tour guide comes alive with description the enormous ranching operation it served. Saddles and riggin’ belonging to the MC cowboys are on display too. (excerpt from website)
Lake County Museum
Lake County Museum displays the history of Lake County including artifacts of the people indigenous to the area.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Tall Town Bakery & Café
Tall Town Café reminds us of your typical diner, boasting a counter to enjoy a meal where you will run into your friends and neighbors. Enjoy a classic breakfast or lunch on a burger and enjoy their homemade baked goods.
TJ’s Family Fun Center & Restaurant
TJ’S Family Fun Center & Restaurant has a bowling alley, and a pool table, and is a perfect place for the family hosting special events and can even be rented out. They offer beer and wine and a full menu of Sandwiches, Salads, Pizza, Steak Dinners, and Dessert!
The Eagle’s Nest
Homestyle comfort food and cocktails.
Happy Horse Deli
Happy Horse Deli Fresh deli sandwiches, soups, and HOMEMADE brownies!
Julia’s on 395
If you are looking for dinner on the nicer side, Julia’s offers a small menu of steak, pasta dishes, and an amazing flourless chocolate cake for dessert, along with a full bar.
Lakeview Elks Lodge
Lakeview Elks Lodge A fun place to enjoy a cocktail or meal specials, and have fun playing shuffleboard or pool.
NOTABLE EVENTS
SNOWFEST
Dependant on snow, Snowfest is a big snow party at Warner Canyon Ski Area; as soon as the sun goes down skiers head down the mountain all lip up with lights and then the party ensues!
IRISH DAYS
A celebration of the town’s Irish Heritage. Two days of events starting with a dinner where the Grand and Wee Leprechaun are named and given keys to the city by the town’s Mayor. Parade, vendors, Outhouse Races, then ends with the Pub Crawl. An awesome community tradition that happens as close to St. Patrick’s Day as possible!
OCCUPY E STREET
A summer event on the third Saturday of July! Car Show and Street Fair.
LAKE COUNTY ROUND-UP & FAIR
Every Thursday-Monday of Labor Day Weekend
Purely ran by volunteers this is a PRCA Rodeo with bronc riding, roping, ranch rodeo, mutton bustin’, concert on Saturday, and more! It runs concurrent with the Lake County Fair. Livestock auction, best pie award, carnival rides, vendors, food truck, and destruction derby on Sunday night!
VENTURE OUT
ADEL STORE
When we visited the historic Adel Store, walking through the door we felt transported to a simpler time; if you want to hang with cowboys this is the place to be. In the past it had been the post office and still stands as it did decorated with saddles and branding irons from ranches in the area. Grab a bite and a beer (we loved the BLT and our kids loved their milkshakes) and then peruse the pictures of years gone by, and gorgeous photos of sprawling landscapes and cowboys doing their work. It may be a tiny country store but when you talk to new owners Roger and Jessie the stories they tell are so rich in history you will want to stay awhile. Don’t miss this treasure!
Pioneer Saloon & Restaurant
Talk about cool, The Pioneer Saloon & Restaurant in Paisley is one of Oregon’s oldest pubs at over 100 years old when in it started serving drinks in 1883. The current bar top was actually shipped from Boston by way of the tip of South America to Portland. Walk around and you can feel the history and stories oozing from the walls. They serve great sandwiches and pizzas and offer a full bar. We were the first ones there for the day, but it quickly filled with locals. There is a pool table in back and a horseshoe pit off a gorgeous back patio area that looks newly built and ready for the warmer nights of spring and summer. Don’t miss a peek in the Paisley Mercantile next door where they have a little of everything including a “liquor store”.
Summer Lake Hot Springs
Get a true feel for the Oregon outback at Summer Lake Hot Springs. They offer a bathhouse, the size of a small pool, or three outdoor rock pools to rest your weary muscles. Our kids loved experiencing the warm waters and the restful environment. The bathhouse is nothing fancy, just a line of rustic dressing rooms, a shower, and a bathroom, no frills. You can also rent cabins if you would like to stay for the weekend and there is even a large house with a private hot spring pool.
WHERE TO STAY
Best Western Skyline Motor Lodge
This is where we stayed. Very clean rooms with all of the basics covered and they offer a free continental breakfast and an indoor pool.
EXPLORE FURTHER
Hart Mountain and Antelope Refuge – 2 1/2 hours
Fort Rock – 2 hours
Cowboy Dinner Tree – 2 hours 37 minutes
Crack in the Ground – 2 hours 10 mins
