Kayaking (4K) | "The Island" & a Hidden Cave @ Lake Billy Chinook! | The Cove Palisades State Park

This was done on 6/3/2023 in an Oru Kayak.

Here is the FULL VIDEO EXPLORING ALL HIGHLIGHTS (4K) of The Cove Palisades State Park @ Lake Billy Chinook in Central Oregon:

https://youtu.be/yWf6y1XFvw8

"The Island": A 208-acre peninsula (not an island, but appears as one due to its isolation by high cliffs) surrounded by the Deschutes and Crooked River arms of Lake Billy Chinook. It was designated a Research Natural Area by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1986 and closed to the public in 1997, except for permitted educational and conservation groups.

The Cove Palisades State Park is easily a Top 3 State Park in the entire State of Oregon! Lake Billy Chinook's claim to fame is that its the confluence of 3 National Wild & Scenic Rivers - Crooked River, Deschutes River & Metolius River into a truly EPIC Lake-River-Canyon High Desert Wonderland! Thus this multi-tendrilled Lake is broken up into the Crooked River Arm, Deschutes River Arm & Metolius River Arm, each with its own very well developed infrastructure of Day Use Areas, Boat Ramp/Launches and very well groomed & manicured Shoreline Hiking Trails. Lake Billy Chinook is truly a World-Class Watersport Mecca of Boating, Fishing & Kayaking.
The road is very well paved throughout The Cove Palisades State Park and all the way through to Perry South Campground. From Perry South Campground to Monty Campground it is a relatively bumpy Forest Road - most cars should be able to make it if you drive slowly and cautiously, particularly around some blind corners on a very steep road, so exercise maximum caution driving to Monty Campground! That said, if done prudently, it is not a difficult drive, high clearance and 4WD are NOT required in my humble opinion. Always check for weather and of course do so at your own risk!