Fast Times at Big Portage Lake, Jackson County
For me, when school let out for summer, the place to go swimming was Big Portage Lake in Jackson County. Located in the Waterloo Recreation Area, Big Portage had a great swimming beach, campground, and picnic area.
I remember picnics with plenty of hot dogs, burgers, potato salad, and pop. The sandy beach was littered with bronze bodies deepening their tans, and swimsuits of all shapes, sizes, and skimpiness.
When taking a break from swimming, we’d walk up to the concession stand on the hill for candy, chips, pop, and other goodies. On the back end of the concession stand was an area where we could play softball. Yep, Big Portage was the place to go during summer vacation.
One of the out-of-the-ordinary occurrences that took place at the park involved the bath house. The boys and girls changing areas were next to each other, same building, no roof, and separated by a wall. We were in there changing into our dry clothes when all of a sudden, a kid who was maybe ten years old started screaming and squealing. We looked over at him and he was running and pointing down at the floor under the bench. Beneath that bench was a metal plate in the wall, and someone had evidently drilled a hole in it, making it easy to peer through and watch the opposite sex change clothes. That kid had seen a female eyeball staring at him as he undressed and he freaked out. From that point on, I would either change in the car or not at all! Maintenance eventually sealed the hole up, to prevent any future peeping toms or tomasinas.
Another thing that a few brave ones attempted was to swim across to the other side of the lake, which was the free, public side. I actually did this, but I was not a complete fool.....I used an inflatable raft in case my arms got tired. I made it across and back with no problem.
The Waterloo Recreation Park currently has over 434 campsites, eleven fishing lakes, many picnic sites, eight boat launches, and some hunting is allowed in specific areas. But the Waterloo area location for me – and many others – will always be Big Portage Lake. Still great for families after all these decades. Scroll down a little ways to see some drone shots of the beach and campground...
Big Portage Lake: Jackson County
MORE STUFF: