Should You Stay at Elk Lake or in Bend?

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Quick FAQ about Elk Lake

• How Far is Elk Lake from Bend?  Elk Lake is 32 miles due west from Bend, & the drive takes about 40 minutes. Take the Cascade Lakes Highway (Century Drive) up towards Mt. Bachelor; you’ll pass Todd Lake & Devils Lake. A few miles after Devils Lake, look for a sign for “Elk Lake” & turn left towards the resort & marina.
• Where to Park at Elk Lake?  There are parking lots higher up from the marina, which requires a short walk ~ or many people park right along the road that leads into the resort (parallel parking). 
• Are There Toilets Here? Yes! Both the resort & restaurant have bathrooms (the restaurant is very close to the marina), & there are also restrooms sprinkled throughout the campsites, which are located just south of the main resort area. 
• Can You Rent Kayaks & Paddle Boards at Elk Lake? How About Boats? Yes, you can rent all of the above right at the marina. This is one of the best things about Elk Lake: it’s one of the only lakes on the Cascade Hwy that rents gear! The marina is open from 10AM-6PM, & all rentals must be returned by 6PM. In addition to kayaks & paddle boards, you can also rent pontoon boats here.
• Can You Camp at Elk Lake?  Yes! There are about 20 campsites here, most of which can be reserved in advance (only a few are first-come, first-serve). Click here for more info about camping. 
• Can You Stay at Elk Lake? What are the Closest Hotels to the Lake?  Yes, you can stay right at Elk Lake in their rustic cabins, glamping tents, or camp cabins. It’s comfortable but not high-end ~ more like John Candy’s “The Great Outdoors!” Check out lodging at Elk Lake here.  For more upscale, try Tetherow Lodge Hotel on Century Drive, Seventh Mountain Inn, or family-friendly Sunriver.
• Can You Swim in Elk Lake? How cold is the water?  Swimming in Elk Lake is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!! I just swam there last week for about an hour, & it was truly divine. Because the lake is so shallow, the water temps are much warmer than at nearby lakes ~ like next-door Devils Lake, which is freezinggg. I don’t have an exact water temp for Elk Lake, but I’d guess it was in the 60’s: refreshing but lovely.
• Can You Fish at Elk Lake?  Yes you can, though it’s not one of the most popular lakes for fishing.  You’re most likely to catch trout here.
• Is Elk Lake Pet-Friendly?  KIND OF.  Dogs need to remain on-leash at the main resort area, & we saw many dogs on the shores. Dogs are discouraged from swimming in Elk Lake (by the resort) due to the shallowness of the water & sanitation issues.  HOWEVER, many locals head to the other side of the lake, which is accessible by a dirt road, & there you’ll find many dogs off-leash & swimming.  It’s a lot more relaxed than at the main resort area.  I’ve swam here with my dog many times & she absolutely LOVES it.

You can also bring dogs to pretty much every other lake on the Cascade Lakes Highway, which I discuss in this article.

These well-behaved goldens were hanging out at Elk Lake’s picnic tables last week ~ but unfortunately, the Forest Service discourages dogs from swimming in Elk Lake due to sanitation issues.

• Can You Hike at Elk Lake? Yes. There’s a fairly flat 4.7 mile out-and-back hike on the back-side of the lake (by Bachelor) ~ get more info on it here. 
• What You Need to Fully Enjoy the Lake = Bring water, drinks, some kind of inflatable/water gear like paddle boards or kayaks (even a floatie ~ you can tie it up to one of your boards!), a waterproof camera or waterproof phone case, waterproof outdoor speaker, & towels.