[2] It is about 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Eugene on the Middle Fork Willamette River, immediately downriver from Lookout Point Lake, another reservoir.

The two reservoirs, Dexter and Lookout Point, were created in 1954 when the United States Army Corps of Engineers finished building the dams that contain them.

Dexter exists partly to control water surges from the upstream lake during Lookout Point's production of hydroelectricity.

Lookout reservoir water levels vary greatly, while the flow below Dexter Dam remains relatively steady.

Park amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, equestrian staging areas, horseshoe pits, a wildlife viewing platform, and a boat launch.