Overview

Rainbow Bay sits on the banks of scenic Lake of the Woods in close proximity to several wilderness areas. This group picnic site offers visitors opportunities to enjoy the serenity of the area while taking advantage of the multitude of recreational opportunities it has to offer.

Visitors enjoy hiking on trails leading into towering conifer forests, picnicking at the beach or paddling a canoe along the shore at sunset.

Natural Features:

Fremont National Forest is hemmed in by towering snow-capped peaks and wide-open sage basins.

The nearby Sky Lakes Wilderness, designated by Congress in 1984, is a land of lakes, rocky ridges and timbered slopes. It is approximately 6 miles wide and 27 miles long, with elevations ranging from 3,800 feet in the canyon of the Middle Fork of the Rogue River to a lofty 9,495 feet at the top of Mount McLoughlin. More than 200 pools of water, from mere ponds to lakes of 30 to 40 acres, dot the landscape.

Wildlife viewing is plentiful in the area, as diverse habitats support a variety of species. Large mammals, such as mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk and pronghorn antelope, find homes in the the forests, while several varieties of trout inhabit lakes and streams. In the spring and fall, migrating geese, ducks and swans frame the Oregon sky. Black bears, mountain lions and bobcats also find homes in the forest.

Recreation:

Rainbow Bay offers a great location for picnicking, fishing, swimming and boating. In the winter months visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Anglers enjoy fishing from shoreline or boat for rainbow and brown trout, Kokanee salmon, bass and perch.

Family picnics, playing on the beach, swimming, kayaking and canoeing are wonderful ways to spend a warm afternoon along the waterfront.

Facilities:

The site is equipped with several picnic tables, extended barbeque grills, drinking water and flush toilets.

There is a boat ramp area and large beach at this site.

A nearby resort offers visitors basic amenities, lodging and dining.

Nearby Attractions:

The Crater Lake National Park is a popular attraction, where visitors can learn about its unique natural and cultural history. At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the ten deepest lakes in the world.

Visitors also enjoy the 172 miles of diverse river and mountain landscapes along the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. The scenic drive travels from rolling oak-covered hills and towering coniferous forests to roaring white water rapids and incised intercanyon lava flows. The highway travels alongside the Upper Rogue and North Umpqua Wild and Scenic Rivers that contain world-class fisheries.