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Elk Lake

La Pine, Oregon · Deschutes County · Facility

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…

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43.97815, -121.80283
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About Elk Lake

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.

Plan Your Visit to Elk Lake

Heading to Elk Lake? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Elk Lake?

No central reservation system listed for Elk Lake. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/237117) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Elk Lake?

See Elk Lake Campground