About this campground
Elk Lake has a picturesque setting, with the Three Sisters toweringover the north end of the lake and Mt. Bachelor dominating the eastern horizon. It is not a rich lake but is so transparent you can see the bottom clearly from any location on the surface. The kokanee are commonly 7 to 10 inches in length, not large but abundant, make excellent eating because of the cold water. These fish are mainly found at the south end of the lake near the lava flow where it is the deepest part and few kokanee are caught elsewhere on the lake. Night crawlers, eggs, and periwinkles; still fishing, wind drifting, and jigging. The water level at Elk Lake can fluctuate as much as 15 feet through the year, but the boat ramps remain usable. There are no obstacles to boating on the lake, and the few weed beds stay pretty short. Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on this body of water. For boat launch information see Elk Lake Boating Site, Little Fawn Boating Site , Point Campground and Elk Lake Resort.
Getting there
See Elk Lake Campground
Activities
- BOATING
- FISHING
- SWIMMING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- ELK LAKE CAMPGROUNDDeschutes National Forest0 mi
- Elk Lake Guard StationDeschutes National Forest0 mi
- Little Fawn CampgroundDeschutes National Forest1 mi
- MALLARD MARSH CAMPGROUNDDeschutes National Forest1 mi
- POINT CAMPGROUND - DESCHUTESDeschutes National Forest1 mi
- South Campground - Hosmer Lake (OR)Deschutes National Forest1 mi
Explore more Oregon camping
Elk Lake doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Oregon camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.