Conveniently located in Oregon's Willamette Valley tourism region, Detroit Lake is a 1,400-hectare freshwater reservoir that stores water for the cities of Detroit and Salem and offers an array of excellent recreational activities, which include boating, camping, kayaking, and swimming. Constructed in 1953 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by damming of the North Santiam River, Detroit Lake has a maximum depth of 440 feet, which fluctuates as much as 25 feet per day. As such, the lake has specially constructed boat ramps to cater for this fluctuation. Detroit Lake has two state lakes resting on the north side of the reservoir, the Detroit Lake State Park and the Mongold State Park, as well as seven different campgrounds dotted around the perimeter.

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.