OutReserve

Elk Lake Campground

Elk Lake w/ view of South Sister
Elk Lake w/ view of South Sister
ELK LAKE CAMPGROUND
ELK LAKE CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Parking
Restrooms

About Elk Lake Campground

Elk Lake Campground is located on the north end of Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway.

Number of accommodations: 16

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Swimming

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 29 to Sep 26

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

16 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 004, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 008, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 010, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 011, Loop: Loop 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 014, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 016, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 017, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 019, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 020, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 022, Loop: Loop 2
No Hookups
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.0
132 reviews
5
48.5%
64
4
22.7%
30
3
10.6%
14
2
12.1%
16
1
6.1%
8

James L

Verified

July 27, 2023 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Loop 2

2

We have been camping at Elk Lake for over 20 yrs. And have always had a great experience. However, we needed to speak with the hosts on our recent stay and for the two days we were there they had a NOT AVAILABLE sign. Left a note to have them please come to see us at our campsite - never did. Unprofessional and disappointing.

James L

Verified

July 27, 2023 Stayed at: 015, Loop: Loop 2

2

We have been camping at Elk Lake for over 20 yrs. And have always had a great experience. However, we needed to speak with the hosts on our recent stay and for the two days we were there they had a NOT AVAILABLE sign. Left a note to have them please come to see us at our campsite - never did. Unprofessional and disappointing.

Rob D

Verified

July 19, 2023 Stayed at: 018, Loop: Loop 2

3

2 trips there this summer.
The camp host was not good at all! Ran out of water and toilet paper. She was there maybe 2 hours of that trip.
Next trip, she let out neighbors be loud all night…

Rob D

Verified

July 19, 2023 Stayed at: 018, Loop: Loop 2

3

2 trips there this summer.
The camp host was not good at all! Ran out of water and toilet paper. She was there maybe 2 hours of that trip.
Next trip, she let out neighbors be loud all night…

Harriet B

Verified

June 30, 2023 Stayed at: 017, Loop: Loop 2

2

One bathroom was filthy, really gross, and obviously had been for a long time. The resort has encroached even more than last time we were there. Resort guests very noisy. We had reservations for 4 nights, and left after 2, which is how much we did not like the place. Only one clean bathroom (one hole) for the ENTIRE campground, and this was in June.

Harriet B

Verified

June 30, 2023 Stayed at: 017, Loop: Loop 2

2

One bathroom was filthy, really gross, and obviously had been for a long time. The resort has encroached even more than last time we were there. Resort guests very noisy. We had reservations for 4 nights, and left after 2, which is how much we did not like the place. Only one clean bathroom (one hole) for the ENTIRE campground, and this was in June.

Allyson F

Verified

June 29, 2023 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Loop 1

4

Our site was pretty slanted so we had to set up our tent in the one spot they was flat. It was an easy walk down the hill to the beach/lake. It was beautiful and quiet. Mosquitos (mid June) were a pain but we’d go back!

Allyson F

Verified

June 29, 2023 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Loop 1

4

Our site was pretty slanted so we had to set up our tent in the one spot they was flat. It was an easy walk down the hill to the beach/lake. It was beautiful and quiet. Mosquitos (mid June) were a pain but we’d go back!

Kath F

Verified

September 21, 2022 Stayed at: 011, Loop: Loop 1

1

Sorry. Smoked out from the Cedar Creek fire:-(

Kath F

Verified

September 21, 2022 Stayed at: 011, Loop: Loop 1

1

Sorry. Smoked out from the Cedar Creek fire:-(

Location Elk Lake Campground

Address:
P.O. Box 8516
Bend, OR, 97701
United States

Highway access

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 13, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service