RV rental Lake Celilo, OR: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

On both the north and south sides of the lake, enormous taupe-brown bluffs rise, cradling the lake. Some sections of the cliffs have been shaped into vague column shapes by the constant wind buffering at them. Along the banks, clusters of cottonwood and willows crowd the shores, competing with shrubs for water. Rolling hills high above, however, are devoid of trees, instead covered by wild grasses and other native high-desert plants. In spring, these hills transform from tawny gold to vivid green. This transformation is short-lived, though. As soon as the snowmelt and spring rains pass, they quickly dry up and return to their dormant state while waiting for the next opportune rainfall. In contrast with the bare hills and bluffs, Lake Celilo teems with life. Thanks to fish ladders constructed at the dams downriver, several migratory fish eventually make their way into the lake. Anglers can expect to catch chinook, coho, sockeye, and pink salmon. Lamprey, steelhead, trout, and shad are also common. Seven boat ramps are available for the public to use to launch their boats. In addition to fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing, and boating are fun pastimes enjoyed by many. Both Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area and Deschutes River State Recreation Area offer several miles of hiking trails that meander into canyons, past waterfalls, and through open high-desert plains. The parks are excellent for wildlife observation. In addition to gold eagles, which regularly nest in this region, other photogenic animals like bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes roam these parks. Big game and chukar hunting are popular during specific seasons, too.