Unity Lake State Recreation Site

Unity Lake State Recreation Site is an oasis of green in Oregon's high desert that offers boating and angling.

The small campground is the perfect jumping-off point for visiting nearby historical sites and wilderness areas.

Come October, many visitors use the campground as a base for hunting big game and upland birds on nearby public land in the Umatilla , Malhuer , and Wallowa-Whitman national forests.

No hunting is allowed within the park boundary. Seasonal Camping Reservations for cabins and campsites available up to 6 months in advance .

The nearby mining town of Sumpter and Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area also offer a unique daytrip opportunity.

The centerpiece is the five-story, 125-foot floating dredge that excavated $4. 5 million in gold between 1935 and 1954.

During the summer, the Sumpter Valley Railroad offers tours of the area.

Nearby Attractions Hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the three wilderness areas that lie within 30 miles of the park: Monument Rock , Strawberry Mountain , and North Fork John Day .

For a glimpse into the past, visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill.

Thirty acres of the park are managed under a 1959 lease agreement with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The additional nine acres were purchased from a private owner. Unity Lake was formed after the damming of Burnt River by the Bureau of Reclamation to provide agricultural irrigation water. The park was created to provide public access to the lake.