Oregon · Hiking

Elk Lake

Elk LakePhoto: David Doan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.2 mi
round trip
604 ft
climb
4,928 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Elk Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Elk Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Deschutes National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elk Lake is a 3.2-mile out-and-back hike on natural-surface trail in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, within the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated moderate. The trail rises about 56 feet from its low point of 4,883 feet to a high of 4,928 feet, with the steepest stretch at the start, where the grade reaches about 8 percent. The climb is short and gentle, so the hike works well for an early or late day on the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wickiup Dam run to highs around 83°F in July with only about three wet days a month, while winter brings highs near 40°F and around 13 wet days. The hike is open from June 1 to October 31, and the Elk Lake Campground and Little Fawn Campground are both under a mile away. Hosmer Lake, a fishing spot, and Quinn Creek, another hike, are also close by.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Elk Lake

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 20.8 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Quinn CreekPhoto: David Doan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Quinn Creek

~1 min drive

5-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon.

Horse Lake Trail #2Photo: maprik, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Horse Lake Trail #2

~2 min drive

2.86-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 603 ft elevation gain and loss.

Six LakesPhoto: David Doan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Six Lakes

~2 min drive

Out-and-back alpine lake trail with scenic mountain views and fishing opportunities.

HIKE

Horse Creek Trail #3514

~7 min drive

25.24-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,589 ft elevation gain and loss.

AppaloosaPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Appaloosa

~5 min drive

3.52-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 160 ft elevation gain.

QUINN CREEKPhoto: David Doan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

QUINN CREEK

~2 min drive

1.2-mile out-and-back trail with 166 ft elevation gain in Oregon.

South Sister ClimberPhoto: Bonnie Moreland (free images), Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

South Sister Climber

~8 min drive

7.2-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,737 ft elevation gain.

Ray Atkeson MemorialPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Ray Atkeson Memorial

~6 min drive

4.01-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 139 ft elevation gain.

Island Meadow TrailPhoto: maprik, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Island Meadow Trail

~3 min drive

1.92-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 294 ft elevation gain and loss.

Soda CreekPhoto: Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Soda Creek

~9 min drive

9.46-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,690 ft elevation gain.