Elk Lake
Elk Lake is a natural body of water in the central Cascade Range in the American 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, Lava, and Little Lava.
Heavily used for recreation including open water swimming and the Cascade Lakes Swim Series, one of America's Top 100 Open Water Swims, the lake is among the most popular of the Cascade Lakes.
The lake's 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. Lake activities include sailing, motorboating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.
