When they put in the dam for power and formed Lake Simtustus the kids were all excited. I think every kid that grew up in the 50's and 60's in Madras learned how to water ski at Pelton. When they put in The Cove or Lake Billy Chinook later the kids were all mad as they covered one of the nicest and most beautiful places in Oregon but I am not going to get into that now. At the very end of where Pelton was formed now stands the Round Butte Dam that holds The Cove behind it. On the right side of the photos sits the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and on the left of the photo is Jefferson County. This is the same for Pelton. Billy Chinook is a famous Native from our area and so are the Simtustus which both were legendary Chiefs.
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Pelton is located just off Highway 26 between Madras and Warm Springs. It was formed in a deep volcanic canyon that the Deschutes River flows through. The lake is approximately 8 miles long and only 1/4 of a mile across at its widest point.
Pelton has a nice campground that is ran by the forest service and they usually have a lot of kids activities during the summer months. They also have a nice Marina, store and Roxy's cafe which is noted for its excellent food. People from the Madras area drive out to Roxy's just to have dinner. They have several runs that start in Madras and run down Willow Creek Canyon to Roxy's for lunch or breakfast. It is very sad to hear that the owners are planning on selling the place and I was told that they are closing the cafe in December. So stop at Roxy's before they close and have some of the best food you would want in a little rural area. Roxy's has an outdoor area where you can set by the lake and eat.
Roxy's Cafe
Roxy is actually not the owners name it is the name of the their turtle who they have had for years and actually lives in the cafe in her aquarium.
Many birds make their home at Pelton and if you like to watch birds it is a nice place to go and you can rent several different styles of boats and have restful time on the lake.
Several Cranes can be seen
The cranes love the rocks near the water
Commodore birds are everywhere
At dusk you will see all the Commodore birds headed for bed
They are known as the birds on a wire as they love to nest on wires. These wires stretch over a small inlet where Willow Creek comes into Pelton.
A King Fisher is another bird that likes to fish.
In the sky and near the craggy rocks you will find a lot of bald eagles and golden eagles
Just to the right of the photos by linda is a shadow that I thought looked just like
a sea horse but friends say dragon.
The rock formations along the lake make it very interesting to just sit and drift and watch all the shapes. It makes me wonder how all of it was formed as all of it is so different. Don't just take off on the lake take your time and study all you pass by.
This one looks like a little rock hut.
Look at all those layers. I have been told each one is a different lava flow. I don't know if it is true but they say the palisades in the rocks are formed from water, erosion or cooling fast.
I have always been fascinated by this dome rock with the crack. What in the world made it so different from all the other rocks? Anyone that is smart in geology know the answer?
People tell me this is from them dumping rock from the top but it is neat.
If you are out near dusk or sunrise you can almost always see deer and if you are really lucky a wild horse herd coming down to water.
In closing if you want a nice relaxing day in sunny Central Oregon with wildlife, deer and good fishing come down to Pelton and close your evening off with dinner at Roxy's before they close.
For information on the park call 541-325-5292
You will see a lot of Osprey which is better known as a fish eagle and due to the white a lot of people think they are young eagles.
A King Fisher is another bird that likes to fish.
In the sky and near the craggy rocks you will find a lot of bald eagles and golden eagles
There are several little coves at Pelton where you can pull your boat in and swim or have your lunch.
Just to the right of the photos by linda is a shadow that I thought looked just like
a sea horse but friends say dragon.
The rock formations along the lake make it very interesting to just sit and drift and watch all the shapes. It makes me wonder how all of it was formed as all of it is so different. Don't just take off on the lake take your time and study all you pass by.
I have always been fascinated by this dome rock with the crack. What in the world made it so different from all the other rocks? Anyone that is smart in geology know the answer?
People tell me this is from them dumping rock from the top but it is neat.
If you are out near dusk or sunrise you can almost always see deer and if you are really lucky a wild horse herd coming down to water.
In closing if you want a nice relaxing day in sunny Central Oregon with wildlife, deer and good fishing come down to Pelton and close your evening off with dinner at Roxy's before they close.
For information on the park call 541-325-5292
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