Elk Lake Campground
Deschutes National Forest — lakeside
Location: BEND, OR, OR
Price: From $25 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (66 reviews)
Season: May through October
Elk Lake Campground is located on the north end of Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. 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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/elk-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Quintessential high desert lake camping experience nestled between Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters mountains with clear, cool water ideal for swimming. The campground offers motorized and non-motorized boating, fishing, windsurfing, water skiing, and access to hiking and horseback riding on the Elk-Devils Trail.
Wildlife alert: Sierra Nevada Red Fox, American Pika, Canada Jay, American Kestrel, Red Crossbill, Northwestern Ringneck Snake, and Valley Garter Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Elk Lake Campground: First come, first serve basis — arrive early as it's a federal campground that books up quickly. Road access is rough with rocky sections; an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is recommended. 10 mph speed limit enforced on the lake for safety.
Skip Elk Lake Campground if: You need water or sewer hookups — only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have none.. You require a paved road approach — the final stretch is rocky and rough.. You're visiting outside May-October — the campground is seasonally closed..
Best time to visit Elk Lake Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Point Campground - Deschutes (BEND, OR), Little Fawn Campground (BEND, OR), Quinn Meadow Horse Camp (BEND, OR), Mallard Marsh Campground (BEND, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Elk Lake Campground
Cell signal at Elk Lake Campground (BEND, OR): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Elk Lake Campground is located on the north end of Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryFirst come, first serve basis
arrive early as it's a federal campground that books up quickly.
Road access is rough with rocky sections; an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
10 mph speed limit enforced on the lake for safety.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Bend, travel 33.1 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46) to north end of Elk Lake.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Deschutes National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Deschutes National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Elk Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Elk Lake Campground open?+
Does Elk Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Elk Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Elk Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Elk Lake Campground?+
What season is Elk Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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