Elk Lake on the Cascade Lakes
National Scenic Byway of Oregon

Elk Lake in the Deschutes National Forest of Oregon,
near more than 100 other alpine lakes accessed from the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway

Elk Lake campground is on the north end of the lake.

Elk Lake Campground in the Deschutes National Forest of Oregon

Elk Lake Campground is an old style campground, and has 4 campsites of the type preferred by tent campers and 22 for single trailers/RVs of up to 26'. The roads are winding, somewhat difficult to navigate, and the spurs are small, so 26' it is. Even so, the campground is very popular. Plan ahead. Reservations are not accepted. The fee, as of today, and this information may change, is $14.00 per night for the first vehicle and $7.00 for each additional vehicle. There is potable water (pressurized) and 2 modern CXT vault toilets. Elk Lake Campground is open from May through late September. There is cell phone coverage within the campground, and all the roads are paved.

RV Camping: NO hookups for water. NO sewer. NO electricity. NO dump stations. NO pavement for parking. Sites are NOT reservable.

The campground offers opportunities for fishing, access to hiking and horseback trails, and as can be seen in the above photo, people bring sailboats to the lake :-). Looking at my map for the Deschutes National Forest, it appears that the hiking trail accessed at the lake is one that goes around the lake. I can't give any more information on this right now because there is no information about this given on the new and "updated" website for the Deschutes National Forest.

Day use at Elk Lake Campground in central Oregon

Day use is available on the water front down by the boat ramp. Non-campers must a NW Forest Pass to use the area for the day.

Directions

If you're coming from Bend, Oregon, drive 33.1 miles on the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, FS 46, to the north end of Elk Lake.

If you're coming from the south, Elk Lake is at the north end of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, FS 46, before it turns to head east. Look for it on the right. All the lakes on the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway are well marked. Once you see the sign for Crane Prairie, which comes after Wickiup Reservoir, you'll see the sign for Cultus Lake on the left. Keep going. Look for the sign for Lava Lake on the right in about 12 - 14 miles from Crane Prairie. This mileage is an estimate I've made looking at the map for the Deschutes National Forest. After Lava Lake, you'll see the sign for Hosmer Lake - Mallard Marsh, and soon after that you'll see the sign for Elk Lake. The road turns east about 5 to 7 miles after Elk Lake. If you see Broken Top, Devils and Sparks Lakes, you've gone too far.

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Forward ~ Camping and other activities at Hosmer Lake and Mallard Marsh on the Cascade Lakes National
Scenic Byway in Oregon.

Back ~ Broken Top in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, as viewed from the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway.

USFS: The Deschutes National Forest in Oregon.

Stopping at South Campground at Hosmer Lake on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (pictured to the right). If you're heading north on the Cascade Lake National Scenic Byway from Crescent Junction on Hwy 58, you'll come to Hosmer Lake and the marsh before you come to Elk Lake.

Explore Central Oregon and travel the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery for your enjoyment.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in south central Oregon, near Crater Lake National Park.

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Directions to and Day Trips in either Oregon or California of about 100 miles from the retreat.

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Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.

The cottage (pictured above) at Gathering Light ... a retreat. Rustic simplicity, a place to "Just Be", Gathering Light is nestled on the banks of the river, surrounded by the Fremont Winema National Forest of southern Oregon and not far from Crater Lake National Park.