| Elk Lake | |
| Location: | Deschutes County, Oregon |
| Coords: | 43.9742°N -121.8025°W |
| Lake Type: | Natural, oligotrophic |
| Inflow: | Snowmelt, seepage |
| Outflow: | None on the surface |
| Catchment: | 13mi2 |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Area: | 405acres |
| Depth: | 12feet |
| Max-Depth: | 62feet |
| Volume: | 7000acre-feet |
| Residence Time: | 1 year |
| Shore: | 5.1miles |
| Elevation: | 4882feet |
| Cities: | Bend |
| Pushpin Map: | Oregon#USA |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Elk Lake in Oregon, USA. |
| Reference: | [1] [2] [3] |
Elk Lake is a natural body of water in the central Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Oregon. Nearly 4900feet above sea level, the lake is part of a volcanic landscape about 25miles west-southwest of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.[2]
Elk Lake is about 6miles west of Mount Bachelor in Deschutes National Forest. Nearby lakes include Hosmer, Sparks, Blow, Doris, Devils, Lava, and Little Lava.[4]
Heavily used for recreation, the lake is among the most popular of the Cascade Lakes.[2] Its name stems from the large number of elk that formerly frequented the area in summer.[2] During winter, Elk Lake freezes, and access roads are usually closed by snow until late May.[2]
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.[2] Lake activities include sailing, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.[5]
The lake supports populations of brook trout generally ranging from 7inchesto14inchesin (toin) and kokanee averaging 8inchesto9inchesin (toin).[5] Hiking trails leading to other high-elevation lake groups, such as those in the Mink Lake basin, begin at Elk Lake.[2]