Dive Baldwin Beach
A long, shallow shelf runs across the south shore of the lake. The distance from shore to the deep gradually decreases as you head west, and it’s at its narrowest at Baldwin Beach, with a reasonably steep, sandy drop off just 1,000 feet from the beach (as opposed to about half a mile as you head over to Kiva Beach).
You can get deep quickly, but apart from the rare log, there isn’t much to see down the hill. In the shallows here, you’ll find more sand with the occasional ancient tree trunk sticking up from the bottom. These ancient trees can be difficult to find, so it’s always a treat to stumble across one. Tallac Creek enters the lake here, reducing the viz close to the mouth when its flowing.
Parking and facilities are ridiculously close to the water if you get a spot in the west lot (100′ from lot to water) and reasonably close (about 300′) if you’re in the east lot, which is nice.
Fast facts
- Access: Opens at 8 a.m.; west lot is 100 flat feet from the water; east lot is 310 feet (also flat); closed over winter
- Surface swim: Almost nothing for trees in the shallows, about 1,000′ for the steep to the deep
- Parking: $10 for the day
- Crowds: High to very high in summer, with loads of boats parking all along shore
- Dive experience level: Beginner to intermediate
- Highlights: Cool ancient trees in the shallows, gets deep further out
