Elk Lake - Deschutes National Forest
If you are looking for a lake to spend the day at while visiting Central Oregon with kids, look no further than ELK LAKE. This lake has several different areas, and depending on what you are looking for, you can choose the area that best fits your needs and wants. For us, we wanted a lake that provided a shallow swimming area for our kids, space for my husband to paddle board, and a beach area that I could lay on and read a book. I looked high and low online trying to find the right lake and after looking for a while, decided upon Elk Lake, hoping it would work. And luckily, it worked better than we imagined.
The part of the lake that we decided to go to and set up for the day was called LITTLE FAWN CAMPGROUND Day Use Area. It's approximately 45-50 minutes from both Bend or Sunriver. To get to this particular area, you will turn left off of Cascade Lakes Highway at the sign that says Hosmer Lake/Elk Lake Loop. You will pass right past Hosmer Lake and keep going until you see the signs for the campground. You'll drive right down and find the small parking lot right by lake. We got there around 10:45 and there were several parking spots available, but about and hour and half later, the parking was gone. So, best to get their early and plan on staying for a while.
The part of the lake that we decided to go to and set up for the day was called LITTLE FAWN CAMPGROUND Day Use Area. It's approximately 45-50 minutes from both Bend or Sunriver. To get to this particular area, you will turn left off of Cascade Lakes Highway at the sign that says Hosmer Lake/Elk Lake Loop. You will pass right past Hosmer Lake and keep going until you see the signs for the campground. You'll drive right down and find the small parking lot right by lake. We got there around 10:45 and there were several parking spots available, but about and hour and half later, the parking was gone. So, best to get their early and plan on staying for a while.
VIEW OF THE BEACH AREA
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When we arrived, we were greeted by a pretty empty sandy beach area. There was only one other family, set up on one side. So we set up our blanket on the other side and the kids got out their toys and jumped right in the water, and my husband was off paddle boarding within minutes of our arrival.
The area we were in is removed from the larger portion of the lake and protected from motorized boats, providing calmer and shallower water, making it the perfect place for kids of all ages to play. The water in this area is also warmer than surrounding lakes, making it more swimming friendly. |
Then water is also very clear with a sandy bottom, allowing you to see right where you are and it remains fairly shallow all the way to the edge of the cove. My kids were able to wade out fairly far and it only came up about waist deep on both of them.
As we did our thing, several people entered our secluded little cove on their canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards, coming from the larger part of the lake. They would meander to small stream to the left of the beach and it would take them to a hidden part of the lake and then they would eventually come back through and head back out to the main part of the lake.
This hidden part of the lake was shallow in parts, but also got deeper faster, so not as great for little kids. But, it was completely protected, making is a little warmer and smooth as glass.
Between the beach we were on and the little hidden part of the lake, there was also a secluded picnic table up in the trees, making it a perfect spot to bring a picnic lunch taking in views of both parts of the lake.
As we did our thing, several people entered our secluded little cove on their canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards, coming from the larger part of the lake. They would meander to small stream to the left of the beach and it would take them to a hidden part of the lake and then they would eventually come back through and head back out to the main part of the lake.
This hidden part of the lake was shallow in parts, but also got deeper faster, so not as great for little kids. But, it was completely protected, making is a little warmer and smooth as glass.
Between the beach we were on and the little hidden part of the lake, there was also a secluded picnic table up in the trees, making it a perfect spot to bring a picnic lunch taking in views of both parts of the lake.
HIDDEN PART OF THE LAKE
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Elk Lake itself is much larger. You can see on the map, that the Little Fawn Campground area that we were at is at the very bottom of the lake and a very small, small part of the lake.
Another part of the lake houses the ELK LAKE RESORT. This part of the lake is much busier. At the resort you can rent things such as floating docks, canoes, kayaks, pontoons, and paddle boards to enjoy on the lake. They also have a restaurant (which is not open every day) and bathroom availability, which is something our area didn't have. There is also the South Beach Picnic Area that also provides a good beach area and swimming space, but can be more crowded the Little Fawn Day Use Area. We tend to like feeling more like we have the whole place to ourselves, and we found that at the Little Fawn Day Use Area. |
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Other parts of this lake also have a more scenic view, but we were okay being tucked back and enjoying the calm water. And, our view wasn't that bad at all. It sill provided a stunning mountain backdrop.
We plan on coming back to this lake again and again. Next time, we plan on bringing a kayak and exploring more of the lake by water. It's now become a must-do activity while we visit Sunriver each year in the summer and definitely something you should think about doing, too.
We plan on coming back to this lake again and again. Next time, we plan on bringing a kayak and exploring more of the lake by water. It's now become a must-do activity while we visit Sunriver each year in the summer and definitely something you should think about doing, too.