Elk Lake (Oregon) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elk Lake
The lake with South Sister in the background
Elk Lake Location in Oregon Show map of Oregon Elk Lake Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Deschutes County, Oregon
Coordinates	43°58′27″N 121°48′09″W / 43.97417°N 121.80250°W / 43.97417; -121.80250
Lake type	Natural, oligotrophic
Primary inflows	Snowmelt, seepage
Primary outflows	None on the surface
Catchment area	13 square miles (34 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	405 acres (164 ha)
Average depth	12 feet (3.7 m)
Max. depth	62 feet (19 m)
Water volume	7,000 acre-feet (8.6×10^6 m3)
Residence time	1 year
Shore length1	5.1 miles (8.2 km)
Surface elevation	4,882 feet (1,488 m)
Settlements	Bend
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Elk Lake is a natural body of water in the central Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Oregon. Nearly 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above sea level, the lake is part of a volcanic landscape about 25 miles (40 km) west-southwest of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Elk Lake is about 6 miles (10 km) west of Mount Bachelor in Deschutes National Forest. Nearby lakes include Hosmer, Sparks, Blow, Doris, Devils, Lava, and Little Lava.

Heavily used for recreation, the lake is among the most popular of the Cascade Lakes. Its name stems from the large number of elk that formerly frequented the area in summer. During winter, Elk Lake freezes, and access roads are usually closed by snow until late May.

Recreation

The United States Forest Service manages campgrounds, boat launches, and picnic sites at various locations around the lake, also served by a private resort with cabins. Lake activities include sailing, motorboating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.

The lake supports populations of brook trout generally ranging from 7 to 14 inches (18 to 36 cm) and kokanee averaging 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm). Hiking trails leading to other high-elevation lake groups, such as those in the Mink Lake basin, begin at Elk Lake.