Recreation in
Ontario, Oregon
Ontario, Oregon, in the Malheur county area, can offer such diverse recreational opportunities as hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, rafting and camping. Bass and channel cat fishing is popular in the nearby Snake and Payette Rivers, and Paddock Reservoir is known statewide for its crappie and bass fishing. Camping facilities are available in many areas along the Snake River.
Ontario is close to the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. The man made lakes behind the Oxbow, Brownlee and Hells Canyon dams create an outdoor recreation area that is more than 50 miles wide and 75 miles long. The lakes are a favorite of water skiiers and boaters. In the lake behind the Hells Canyon Dam, anglers catch crappie, bass, catfish and trout. East of the area, the Seven Devils mountain range, more than 9,000 feet high, creates the spectacular Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America.
There are many hiking and driving trails in the backcountry area around Ontario. Two adventurous driving trips are the Oregon Trail/Malheur County Driving Tour and the Lake Owyhee Scenic Route/Succor Creek and Leslie Gulch National Back Country Byway. Maps and highlights of the trips are available from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Golfers enjoy teeing off at the Shadow Butte Golf Course. This public course is open seven days a week. Sunset Lanes provides fun for all ages. Swimming is available at the Ontario Recreation Department.
Ontario Recreation Department
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