Oswego Lake!!

Yes, you read the title correctly! Today’s kayaking adventure took me to Oswego Lake located in, of course, Lake Oswego. First and foremost – it was amazing in so many different ways! I have a feeling this post is going to get lengthy and so I am dividing it into 4 sections. You can skip to what appeals to you or read the entire post!

There will be 4 sections in total:

• History & Explanation
• Scenery
• Homes & Decorations
• Special Note (please read this one!)

History & Explanation

The United States Geological Survey records the official name as Lake Oswego and, because of its artificially increased size, classifies it as a reservoir. To distinguish it from the city, however, the lake is usually called Oswego Lake. To control the waters, the corporation posted “no trespassing” signs.

Despite a decades-old status quo in which the Lake Oswego Corporation maintains that it owns the lake and has the authority to restrict access to it, of which they have done, all of that began to be challenged in May 2012.

The Court held that “if Oswego Lake is among the navigable waterways that the state holds in trust for the public, then neither the state nor the city may unreasonably interfere with the public’s right to enter the water from the abutting waterfront parks.” In April 2022, the Clackamas County Circuit Court found in favor of the plaintiffs, ruling that the lake was navigable at the time of Oregon’s statehood and thus subject to the public trust doctrine. A second phase of the trial concluded in November 2024 and determined that the city’s rules were not legal and must be changed to provide public access to the lake. The Lake Corporation planned to appeal. A subsequent order from the judge in March of this year gave the city four months to remove the barriers that currently block access.

So, that is why the only current accessible point to put your kayak in the water is “guarded” with steel obstacles. However, there is enough clearance between them (to the right of this picture) that you can easily paddle through!

So, there you have it. I will refer to this again in the “Special Note” section.

Now, let’s get down to kayaking!

Scenery

Oswego Lake is absolutely beautiful! But, unlike most of my other kayaking adventures, the water’s edge is lined with homes (that will be my next section). But, being the extremely observant kayaker that I am, it was absolutely amazing to see the early signs of Spring everywhere!

The difference here, compared to other places I’ve been, is that the yards of these HUGE homes are beautifully landscaped and well cared for! It was amazing to look at all of the different vegetation and landscaping styles.

But, more than anything, it was so nice to see color again. Our Oregon winter days seem to stretch on forever and it’s so relieving and awesome to see everything beginning to bud and bloom!

Aren’t those pictures amazing!!!

The other part of the scenery that was so perfect – the sky! I’m not kidding. Look at these awesome photos of the skyscape as I paddled along.

I took so many great pictures. it’s hard for me to decide how many to post (sorry!).

And, of course, one of today’s highlights was watching all of the Canadian Geese. They were everywhere. If you like to get close and take photos, they weren’t frightened so much. So, they’re obviously used to people. I just love to watch them. I think of them as the majestic bird!

The lake was truly beautiful!

This is also a humorous photo. This is the farthest point on the NW end from where I entered the lake (reservoir). It is on South Shore Blvd, across from Lakeview Recreation Club. There are a ton of these docks with ladders placed on both sides. This is obviously a HUGE recreational swimming area when summer arrives. But today, take a closer look at the dock.

Yes, my friends, that is Duck/Geese poop and a whole bunch of it. I’m guessing they spray the decks down and get them clean before they get busy. But, on another note, if you want to kayak the entire lake, as I did, this was a great spot to stop and stretch your legs.

My last photo in this section (I promise!) This is one of 4 or 5 kayak rental spots along the water’s edge. I’m guessing they are very very busy during the summer! I just love how this photo turned out as it captured the reflections on the water beautifully!

Homes (or should I say mansions!) & Decorations

As soon as you enter the lake and begin to paddle out into the water, you are immediately struck by the sight of absolutely HUGE homes. I began to take photos of some of the homes, but as I continued my journey out into the main body of water, the houses just seemed to get bigger and bigger. I saw numerous 3 and 4-story mansions. They were gigantic. So, that peaked my interest (of course).

I looked it up on the internet when I got home.

“In January 2025, the median listing price for a home in Lake Oswego was $1.1 million.” Now, remember that’s all of Lake Oswego. But, if you go look up a real estate company with a waterfront listing (which I did), the prices range from $2.5 million to $8 million. Holy smokes!!!

But, they were all absolutely stunning and perfect in every way!

I’ll just share a few more.

If, as a kayaker, you love to look at million dollar mansions – this is definitely the place to put your kayak in the water!

In addition to the beautiful homes, I was equally impressed with all of the various decor. Here are a few!

So, Mr. Owl – well, he startled me a bit. Yes, it’s a statue. However, it’s electronic. So, as I paddled closer to get a good look, it began hooting and it’s head began rotating back and forth. I would think that would definitely scare away the waterfowl!

However, my very favorite was this Hippo head floating on the water. I though it was very cool looking. (I’m wondering if he has a name? Hm?)

While I was admiring everything there was to see, I also saw some “other” home features. One home had dog jumping rails, just like what is used in competitions. That was their entire waterfront landscape. Another home had a basketball court and another a putting green. There were lots of hot tubs and one home had a swimming pool right over the lake. I guess when you can financially afford such things – well.

But, even after looking at so many awesome homes and landscaping, I am still in awe of the beauty of Oswego Lake.

Special Note (please read)

Remember when I briefly shared the “History” of Oswego Lake? Well, during my kayaking experience today, I actually met the key plaintiffs in the court proceedings which led to the public’s right to use Oswego Lake. These gentlemen, Todd Prager and Mark Kramer, are extraordinary individuals!

Now, I want to tell you about what was found when the three of us were done paddling and taking our kayaks back to our vehicles. When Mark arrived to his vehicle, he found a note on his windshield. It was a hand written note from an anonymous individual letting him know that they had seen a lady key the side of his vehicle. Yes, someone purposefully and vindictively ran their key all along the driver’s side of his car – from front to back.

This person, of whom I will publish their name later if I find out who it was, knew who Mark (and Todd) are and that they were key in mandating public use of Oswego Lake. So, this lady took her own insecurities and apparent inability to communicate, and vandalized his vehicle! Understand here that it was in the middle of the day, in the bright sunshine in a very public and viewable parking lot. I am still in complete shock!

Thankfully, the handwritten note left on his vehicle gave the plate number of the vandal’s vehicle. Justice shall prevail!

I can’t even imagine the journey they’ve taken, for so many years, to have the courts mandate public use of Oswego Lake. Mark and Todd – I want to issue a HUGE “thank you” for everything you’ve done for me and other kayakers! Your work, fortitude and determination are of legendary status.

They are both very passionate and caring individuals and I’m so incredibly grateful that I was able to meet them today!

(UPDATE: please read this news article from March 9th, 2025)

Last, but not least!

I will share two maps with you. The first one shows where you need to go to find the parking lot directly across from the entry point to the lake. (This is currently the only place to enter the water until all signs and gates are removed from other future launch sites).

The 2nd map is from my journey today! It’s been quite awhile since I’ve done nearly 9 miles in flat water! It was a great paddle though.

Thanks for reading my (long) post today. Please, share the news with others so that everyone will soon learn and put Oswego Lake on their “to go” list!

The parking lot where you need to park is on the corner of N. State St. and Foothills Rd. Then, you will walk your kayak back across N. State St and to the stairway, which enters the water, directly ahead of you.

One of, if not, my longest flat water paddle ever!

2025 – Kayak Trip #7