Morgan Lake

This quiet lake offers fishing, non-motorized boating, picnicking, swimming, wildlife viewing, scenery, and FREE camping.

Paved jetties provide wheelchair access. Although Morgan Lake (elevation 4125 feet) is in the Whitman National Forest, it is a La Grande city park. Late last fall when the water level was at the lowest for the season, the boat launch area was greatly improved. Many large rocks were moved, and pea gravel was spread.

Morgan Lake is only about five miles west of La Grande and easy to find. Go west on C Avenue, then turn left on Walnut Street, which turns into Morgan Lake Road. If you would rather stay in a motel than camp, you can do so with just a short drive to town. The road is somewhat rough and steep, but doable in any car, and travel trailers get there.

The camping at Morgan Lake is primitive, but FREE. There are vault toilets scattered around the lake. The campsites that have fire pits and covered picnic tables are in the open areas along the lakeshore. The sites nestled in the trees do not have fire rings due to fire hazard, but offer more shade. Bring propane stoves for cooking, as fires might not be permitted if the fire season is bad in the National Forest.

The area is generally quite rocky, and may be difficult to drive tent stakes into. However, I've seen tents at various places around the lake frequently. Bring your own drinking water and pack out your garbage. There is no electricity.

I fish at Morgan Lake frequently, and have caught the limit of five trout in less than 1-1/2 hours many times. My canoe will be available to you all weekend. I have a medium size adult and a small adult preserver. If you have children bring life preservers for them and accompany them in the canoe, please.