Top Five Lakes by Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon is one of the all-time great outdoor-lover destinations. In the summer, there’s the Deschutes River to float or paddle down, which runs right through the center of town (literally dividing Bend into east & west sections). But once you head up the Cascade Lakes Highway, you’ve got literally hundreds of lakes to enjoy. In this article, I’m detailing my picks for the “Top Five Lakes by Bend.” Each is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Bend, & will give you opportunities to swim, kayak, paddle board, hike, walk the dog, or simply enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.
Devil’s Lake is one of the best Cascade Lakes for photography! Its bright turquoise waters create a perfect backdrop for photos…like with me & my friend Chelsea here.
Where to Stay by Bend’s Top Lakes:
| Best For | Hotel | Why Book It |
|---|---|---|
| Closest to Cascade Lakes Highway/Bend’s lakes | Seventh Mountain Resort ($129+) | Fastest access to Todd, Sparks & Devils Lakes + family-friendly |
| Closest luxury hotel to Cascade Lakes | Tetherow Lodge ($180+) | High-end golf resort with easy access to all the lakes |
| Families | Sunriver Resort ($175+) | Pools, bike paths, fishing, paddle boarding, family paradise! |
| Budget/closer to Bend’s downtown | Hotels by Old Mill District ($77+) | Lower nightly rates |
Map of Bend Hotels by the Lakes!
In this article, I’ll list lakes in order of their distance from Bend ~ starting with the shortest distance, which is Todd Lake. Hotels shown below, like Tetherow Resort & Seventh Mountain, are as close as you can stay to these lakes.
Get Ready for Your Bend Adventure!
Top Five Lakes by Bend, Oregon
1. Todd Lake
Todd Lake is the first lake you’ll come to on the Cascade Lakes Highway, just past Mount Bachelor’s ski area. At MP 23, turn right onto a dirt road; there will be a sign for “Todd Lake.” Park in the small dirt lot, & note that the lake is not visible from here. Walk about a 1/4 mile to reach the lake, which makes it trickier to kayak or paddle board here, as you’ll need to carry your gear out & back. That’s why Todd Lake gets my vote for one of the best places to hike: take the easy, 1.3 mile stroll around the lake (dogs must be on-leash in summer).
Or if you prefer harder hikes, head up the steeper ridge trail which will give you INSANE views of Mt. Bachelor!
Todd Lake is Perfect For: Hiking with Kids & Dogs
Views of Mt. Bachelor can be found on the far side of the lake.
Todd Lake is the closest Cascade Lake to Bend ~ & has a lovely, fairly flat trail that circles the entire lake.
2. Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is THE iconic lake in Bend, having graced many a travel brochure. Go past Todd Lake, & at MP 25, turn left at the “Sparks” sign. Keep left, & stay on a bumpy road for about 1.5 miles. This lake is the shallowest on the list (at 8 feet), making it one of the warmest, great for kids & swimming. You can also kayak & paddle board here. But just know that late in the season, the lake can get SO shallow: paddling gets very difficult! My friends got “stuck” there last summer ; ).
There are also easy loops around the lake that are ideal for photographers, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Note: There’s no fishing at Sparks Lake.
Sparks Lake is Perfect For: Photography, Families, & Swimming
If you’ve seen photos of Bend: you’ve probably seen photos of Sparks Lake, with iconic shots of Mt. Bachelor. This is a VERY shallow lake!
3. Devils Lake
In terms of beauty: Devils Lake is my favorite on the list. I first came here when my friend & I hiked South Sister (one of the hardest hikes in Bend); the South Sister Trailhead is located at Devils Lake. Here, you can kayak, paddle board, or take in one of the many hikes that begin here: the short circle loop, hikes to Tyee Spring or Hell Springs, or to Devil’s Garden. Take note: if you want to swim in this lake, it is FREEZING!!!
It’s one of the coldest on this list, due to its mountain spring sources.
Devils Lake is Perfect For: Kayaking & Photographers
TURQUOISE!!! And FREEZING!!! That sums up Devils Lake in two words : )
For more details & photos of Devils Lake, read this article.
Which Lake is Right for You?
| If You Want… | Go Here |
|---|---|
| Best Instagram Photos | Sparks Lake or Devils |
| Most Turquoise Water | Devils Lake |
| Best Paddle Boarding | Elk Lake or Hosmer |
| Warmest Swimming | Elk Lake or Lucky Lake |
| Families With Small Kids | Sparks Lake or Elk Lake |
| Dogs | Todd Lake or Hosmer |
| Easiest Day Trip | Todd Lake |
Staying overnight? Check rates at my top two favorite family-friendly resorts by the lakes: 1) Sunriver Resort, or 2) Seventh Mountain Resort.
Best Lakes by Bend, Oregon!
4. Elk Lake
Of all the lakes, Elk Lake is by far the most POPULAR lake on the Cascade Lakes Highway. And there are more services than at the other lakes: you can rent kayaks & paddle boards right at the marina (only carry the board about 10 feet!), there’s a rustic little restaurant & ice cream shop by the marina; you can sail & rent pontoon boats here, & swimming is H-E-A-V-E-N in this warm water!! I just swam there last week on a hot summer day, & it was divine. Because the lake is so popular, dogs are discouraged from swimming by the resort area ~ but many locals drive across the lake to the Sunset Campground area, where there are many dogs.
Elk Lake is Perfect For: Learning to Paddle Board & Kayak, Swimming, Eating/Lodging
We rented two paddle boards at Elk Lake last week & I taught my friend’s daughters how to paddle board!
There’s a lot of shoreline at Elk Lake with a resort, camping spots, & sandy beaches to hang out on…
5. Hosmer Lake
Hosmer is the lake I don’t want to tell you about. Its “hidden” location behind popular Elk Lake makes it a real local’s-only spot. And it’s ramp, right at the edge of the parking lot, makes it a perfect place for kayakers & paddle boarders to set their gear in the water. My puppy, Charlie, came on this adventure ~ & because she couldn’t “sit still” in one of our kayaks, she kept jumping in the water & ended up swimming pretty much the whole lake! I cannot express how BEAUTIFUL this lake is. But you’ll really only be able to appreciate its beauty with a kayak or paddle board. ~ which makes this a harder lake to explore with kids.
Hosmer Lake is Perfect For: Paddle Boarding & Kayaking (with dogs!)
This is my favorite lake: Hosmer! Its less popular than Elk Lake, & PERFECT for a long, leisurely kayak!
The further you kayak or paddle, the greener the water gets ~ & the more beautiful the mountain views!
Simply stunning.
***6. Lucky Lake (BONUS Lake!!)
I’m throwing in one extra lake because I love it so much: Lucky Lake! It’s the most “off-the-beaten path” lake, & the furthest from Bend. Past Elk Lake, & just south of Lava Lakes at MP 38.5, turn right into the dirt parking lot. From there, head up a gentle, one-mile incline that takes you to the shores of this beautiful lake. Because of its distance from town & the short hike to reach the lake: it’s much less crowded here. And since this lake doesn’t have ice cold springs creating it: it’s one of the warmest lakes!
Come here to hike, float, & swim….with the dogs (& kids who don’t mind a mile hike)!
Lucky Lake is Perfect For: Swimming, Hiking, Floating, & Introverts!
My friend, Chelsea, “modeling” here at Lucky Lake ~ which has a 1-mile hike to reach the lake. A flat trail circles the lake.
The further you walk around Lucky Lake, the more you’ll be able to discover great shots of Middle & South Sister.
Where to Stay in Bend
The best hotel for accessing all these beautiful lakes is Tetherow Lodge. Located right off Century Drive on top of a high bluff overlooking Tetherow Golf Course, this pet-friendly hotel offers gorgeous accommodations, great restaurants, & killer mountain views. Another great spot for families & big groups, is to rent a house in Sunriver, which is an epic family-friendly destination (my family used to come here every summer ~ it was a major highlight of the year)!
Or if you’d rather stay right downtown, check out quirky hotel & pub: McMenamins Old St. Francis School.
The soaking pool at McMenamins St. Francis School in Bend, which is part-pub, part-hotel & restaurant.
Read My Other Articles on Bend:
- Guide to Devils Lake by Bend, Oregon
- Guide to Elk Lake by Bend, Oregon
- The Perfect 3-Day Weekend Guide in Bend, Oregon!
- Guide to Floating the Deschutes River in Bend
My friends & I floating the Deschutes River in Bend!
Top Five Lakes by Bend, Oregon
I hope this guide provides some inspiration for your summer travels. Remember that all these lakes except for Elk have NO services ~ meaning you need to bring your own kayak or paddle boards. If you need to rent gear: head to Elk Lake.
And bring a Go Pro to take epic shots of these beautiful spots!
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Where to Paddle Board in Bend, Oregon?
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Great article! Love the photos. Curious why you didn’t include Elk Lake in this round up? Thanks, Rob
Great question, Rob! I think that was a rather subconscious omission, actually. This list is the lakes near Bend that I’ve personally enjoyed the most. While Elk Lake is probably the most popular lake on the Cascade Hwy (& the largest), maybe I figured that people would make it there on their own ~ & I’m wanting to provide a list of other options. But Elk Lake is certainly lovely & also a great stop! Thanks for your question : )
Great overview of lakes by Bend. Do you ever bring your dog to Elk Lake? I’ve seen several dogs there every time we go.
Hey Jay, thanks for your question : ) Yes, I bring my dog to Elk pretty much everytime I go! And so do my friends. Especially when we visit the east side of the lake/Sunset area; that’s mainly locals & almost everyone brings their dog(s).
Yes, I have never seen a dog piss in the water, like kids do. Dogs should definitely be welcome at Elk Lake as they have been for as long as the lake has been there. Perhaps it is just the new owners of the lodge area who have a problem with them swimming there. They are not from around here. Just have lots of money. 😋
Thanks for your comment, Patricia! My friends & I were there last weekend (a friend had rented one of their large cabins) & our dogs kept getting “in trouble!” Ha it was way better & less stressful to take the dogs across the lake, by Sunset Campground area. Way more mellow!