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THE
THREE CREEK LAKE AREA is located at the base of Broken Top Mountain and the Three Sisters
Mountains. It is reached by turning south in the middle of the town of
Sisters off the Main Street, Hwy 20. The street is well marked with
green street signs. This area is extremely popular when it is open,
which sometimes isn’t that often. In the 1999 season it didn’t
open until the Labor Day weekend, due to the heavy snowfall, and then
it snowed on opening day. In 2001 we were able to open
the area as early as Memorial Day Weekend. Normally Three Creek opens
in early June, but we will always try to have the campgrounds open by
Memorial Day if possible. If the campgrounds are full
there are signs down near Sisters which will let you know that without
having to be disappointed after making the approximate half hour drive
up to the campgrounds. If you are camping mid-week you have little to
worry about and even on most weekends there is usually room available.
The area is built around Three
Creek Lake. The lake is popular with fishermen and those with small
boats. However, the water is cold and stays that way because it is
snowmelt fed. When the snow does finally melt the water level goes
down. Two of the campgrounds surround the lake and two more are built
in a meadow just before the lake. This is a great area for hiking and
horse trail riding. The Tam McArthur trail is a must for hikers. It is
sharply uphill for the first half hour or so but then flattens out and
is steep only occasionally. The view is spectacular and the
surroundings are a great representation of the High Cascades. As you
travel through the area please be sure to help keep it in its current
pristine condition. The ambitious traveler can continue on through a
gap in the mountains between Broken Top and The Sisters to come out in
the Sisters Wilderness Area. Be sure to go in well prepared for any
high mountain change of weather. The Tam McArthur Trail will take you
from an hour or two to get up and of course less than that to get
down, but allow time to just hang out once you get to the top of the
ridge.
There is a small convenience store located between Driftwood and Three Creek Lake Campgrounds, but you are best advised to bring what you need with you.
