About Elk Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 16
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
16 Sites Available
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Site Details
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16 Sites Available
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Reviews (132)
What Guests Are Saying
Elk Lake Campground offers a beautiful setting with great access to the lake, friendly and helpful hosts, and ample opportunities for relaxation and outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. While some reviews noted issues such as unkempt sites, overflowing trash, and a lack of water, many guests appreciated the clean facilities and the overall charm of the campground. Overall, visitors seem to enjoy the experience and express a desire to return despite some minor inconveniences.
What Guests Are Saying
Elk Lake Campground offers a beautiful setting with great access to the lake, friendly and helpful hosts, and ample opportunities for relaxation and outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. While some reviews noted issues such as unkempt sites, overflowing trash, and a lack of water, many guests appreciated the clean facilities and the overall charm of the campground. Overall, visitors seem to enjoy the experience and express a desire to return despite some minor inconveniences.
Review Summary
Kim W
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Loop 1
There was no water at this campground for reasons that were not made clear, and I was not informed ahead of time so I could prepare accordingly. I had to drive out of the way just to get water to use. This was during the summer peak season, so I'm not sure why they are limiting water at a campground during the summer. It seems like this could be a safety issue. Additionally, the restrooms were vault toilets that were not maintained and supplied with toilet paper.
Kim W
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Loop 1
There was no water at this campground for reasons that were not made clear, and I was not informed ahead of time so I could prepare accordingly. I had to drive out of the way just to get water to use. This was during the summer peak season, so I'm not sure why they are limiting water at a campground during the summer. It seems like this could be a safety issue. Additionally, the restrooms were vault toilets that were not maintained and supplied with toilet paper.
Gary E. M
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Loop 2
Nothing new here, that other reviews have not said, but "metoo" is useful.
I have been coming to Elk Lake for years, only over nighting since 2022.
The road in is paved asphalt, just one lane and a bit narrow. The host is in the first spot, but we did not talk to them. Others said the host was nice. The toilets and sites were clean, the dumpsters had room for more trash. The road narrows down near the day use area, and people park on the road, so I suggest cars only down to that area.
The site was roomy for my 25' motor home, I backed in with the help of a spotter. I was titled 2.8 degrees to the side, and 1 degree down in the back. Easily fixed with my jacks. Lots of cure chipmunks, some fat. Nice a quiet, only a little highway noise during the day. A short walk to the toilets and water, a little further to the say use area and beach, then a bit more to the lodge. The lodge restaurant closes at 6:30pm , so don't miss dinner like we did.
There was a bit of smoke from the Bedrock fire, not enough to drive anyone away. For a few hours you could not see Mt. Bachelor. The lake is clear and warm. Good kayaking. The wind can come up, and turn, in the afternoon, so keep a weather eye. Some bugs on the lake edges, but nothing that bit me.
Most people we met were locals, or regulars. Several were walking the PCT and had come to the lodge for provisions. All we mete were nice. My dog played with some of the other dogs.
Some of the reserved sites were nover used. Please cancel if you are not going to make your reservation!.
My T-Mobile bounced from 5-bars of LTE to 1-bar of 5G and back again. Voice and SMS good, web pages were slow.
Joe W
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Loop 1
Campsites clean and restroom was clean and stocked except for the one near the day use area.
Wish money could be spent updating picnic tables.
Gary E. M
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: Loop 2
Nothing new here, that other reviews have not said, but "metoo" is useful.
I have been coming to Elk Lake for years, only over nighting since 2022.
The road in is paved asphalt, just one lane and a bit narrow. The host is in the first spot, but we did not talk to them. Others said the host was nice. The toilets and sites were clean, the dumpsters had room for more trash. The road narrows down near the day use area, and people park on the road, so I suggest cars only down to that area.
The site was roomy for my 25' motor home, I backed in with the help of a spotter. I was titled 2.8 degrees to the side, and 1 degree down in the back. Easily fixed with my jacks. Lots of cure chipmunks, some fat. Nice a quiet, only a little highway noise during the day. A short walk to the toilets and water, a little further to the say use area and beach, then a bit more to the lodge. The lodge restaurant closes at 6:30pm , so don't miss dinner like we did.
There was a bit of smoke from the Bedrock fire, not enough to drive anyone away. For a few hours you could not see Mt. Bachelor. The lake is clear and warm. Good kayaking. The wind can come up, and turn, in the afternoon, so keep a weather eye. Some bugs on the lake edges, but nothing that bit me.
Most people we met were locals, or regulars. Several were walking the PCT and had come to the lodge for provisions. All we mete were nice. My dog played with some of the other dogs.
Some of the reserved sites were nover used. Please cancel if you are not going to make your reservation!.
My T-Mobile bounced from 5-bars of LTE to 1-bar of 5G and back again. Voice and SMS good, web pages were slow.
Joe W
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: Loop 1
Campsites clean and restroom was clean and stocked except for the one near the day use area.
Wish money could be spent updating picnic tables.
sarah w
VerifiedAugust 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Loop 1
Clean and good location to the water / beach
sarah w
VerifiedAugust 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Loop 1
Clean and good location to the water / beach
Renata H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Loop 1
Elk Lake is a gem. Beautiful! It’s too bad every time I’m there, there are a large number of campsites with “Reserved” signs on them, but no one in the campsite!! I find this everywhere! It’s not fair to those that want/need a camp site. Most should be 1st come 1st serve!!
Renata H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Loop 1
Elk Lake is a gem. Beautiful! It’s too bad every time I’m there, there are a large number of campsites with “Reserved” signs on them, but no one in the campsite!! I find this everywhere! It’s not fair to those that want/need a camp site. Most should be 1st come 1st serve!!
Location Elk Lake Campground
Address:
P.O. Box 8516
Bend, OR, 97701
United States
From Bend, travel 33.1 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46) to north end of Elk Lake.
Elk Lake Campground is accessed via Cascade Lakes Highway (46), which connects to major roads in the Bend area.
Latitude & Longitude: 43.9806 / -121.807
Elevation: 1501 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check out time
12PM
General
- Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment and tires before using rivers, lakes or trails.
- Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
- Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
- During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org
- Reserved Sites will be held until the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
- Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Camping or occupying any location on all National Forest lands for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year is prohibited.
- NO generator use is allowed in campgrounds. Silent power banks or battery powered devices are allowed.
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Last updated: June 13, 2026
