Elk Lake Campground
Elk Lake Campground is located on the north end of Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 011 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Single Campsite Rate: $25/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on… |
Elk Lake Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers, however, electric hookups are not available. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. The campground has drinking water and vault toilets available. This campground also features a boat ramp to provide access to Elk Lake.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Single Campsite Rate: $25/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 36 feet. The water system will be turned on in the month of May depending on weather conditions and will be turned off no later than September 30, or upon the campground closing, whichever is earlier, to prevent potential damage from cold temperatures. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bend, travel 33.1 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46) to north end of Elk Lake.
| Nearest town | Bend, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.9806° N, 121.8071° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
17 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
41 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
50 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Supply ↗ | 24.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 26.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Elk Lake Campground - Deschutes National Forest, OR
Worth a stop
Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs from Central Oregon's high desert floor into the Cascade Range on a 66-mile drive winding through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.
- 6.9 miTodd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.4 miRoaring Ridge South Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miHorse Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.3 miIsland Meadow1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miElk-Devils ↗5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miElk Lake1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miPCT: Def Bend North ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_scenic_or_historic
- 1.4 miQuinn Creek3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.3 miElk Lake Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 2.8 miSisters Mirror Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Three Sisters Wilderness, which overlaps Willamette National Forest.
- inThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 acres
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Elk Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 0.2 mi
- Bend Skyliners LodgeBuilding · Bend · 14.6 mi
Natural features
Elk Lake offers magnificent views of South Sister, Mt. Bachelor and numerous other mountainous features. Wetlands, diverse forests and rocky slopes near the campground provide habitat for shorebirds, porcupine, deer, bats and the occasional black bear.
Recreation
Both motorized and non-motorized boating are allowed on Elk Lake providing the opportunity for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and water skiing. Hiking and horseback riding are popular activities on the Elk-Devils Trail, which follows an historic route from Elk Lake to the Wickiup Plains Trail, just west of Devils Lake.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Elk Lake Campground?
Sites at Elk Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Elk Lake Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $25/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Elk Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Elk Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Elk Lake Campground have?
22 sites, including 19 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Elk Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Elk Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Elk Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 36 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Elk Lake Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Elk Lake Campground?
Both motorized and non-motorized boating are allowed on Elk Lake providing the opportunity for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and water skiing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Elk Lake Campground?
Bend, Oregon. Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs from Central Oregon's high desert floor into the Cascade Range on a 66-mile drive winding through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.
Source: Getting there
What if Elk Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Point Campground - Deschutes (1 mi), Little Fawn Campground (1.3 mi, partly first-come), and Quinn Meadow Horse Camp (1.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby