Arrival Guide

Check-in is after 4 PM and check-out is before 10 AM. 

If you are arriving after our Lodge is scheduled to close, please head to the front door of the Lodge where a check in sheet will be waiting for you with instructions on how to start your stay with us!

Yes! We’re happy to welcome LEASHED dogs during the summer season in our campground and throughout most of the property.  

Dogs are NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE LODGE.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, we ask that:

Dogs are kept on a leash at ALL TIMES, including on the beach

Dogs are never left unattended in the campground or in vehicles or tied to anything.  

Owners clean up after their dogs immediately

Dogs are non-aggressive and well-behaved at all times

A pet fee of $50 per dog, per night, per cabin reservation applies- even if the dog just visits for the day.

Dogs are not permitted on furniture, beds, in our main pontoon boats or inside cabanas. 

However, they are welcome at Music on the Water, on Kayaks, Paddleboards, Canoes, on the Day Dock, and aboard the Paws and Poles Pontoon Boat.

As of July 25, 2026 Campfires are not allowed for the rest of the Season.

There are times when the Forest Service restricts campfires due to fire conditions. If this changes, we will update the website and post an announcement under “Resort Notices” on the main page.

We have designated campfire rings at most of our lodging sites. For safety reasons, propane and portable fire pits are not allowed.

Please do not leave any fire unattended, and always fully extinguish your fire with water when you are finished. 

Also, please do not burn trash or food, as this attracts unwanted animals and creates a mess for the next guests.

Enjoy your s’mores! (We have s’mores kits available at the general store.)

Current Air Quality:  https://www2.purpleair.com/search?q=elk+lake+oregon

Please Note: Air quality information is provided by a third-party service and is not verified by Elk Lake Resort. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of current conditions or forecasts, as air quality can change rapidly. Our standard cancellation policy remains in effect, and cancellations require proper notice regardless of air quality, weather conditions, or personal preferences.

To help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for guests, grilling is only permitted at campground sites with reservations, cabins with a Resort BBQ, and for guests using the Day Dock BBQ. 

Grilling or portable stove use is not allowed in any other areas of the resort. Please do not bring personal grills or stoves onto the property unless you have a campground reservation.

The closest hiking access is the Elk Lake Trailhead, located directly across Cascade Lakes Highway from the Elk Lake Resort entrance.

Many trails in the area require wilderness permits, and some require advance reservations for specific entry dates and times. We recommend checking permit requirements and trail information before your visit.

Learn more about trail access, permits, and current conditions here:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/recreation/elk-lake-trailhead

We are no longer offering day-use boat launches to the public. However, there are several free public access areas around the lake.

We have one boat slip available per day for registered Elk Lake Resort guests, which must be reserved online in advance. If you have a reservation for this slip, you may use the boat launch- however not on Saturdays.

Guests are not allowed to tie up at our dock unless the daily boat slip has been reserved AND you are a registered guest.

Yes, we do! Find all our PCT hiker information by clicking below. We charge $40 to store and retrieve your package. 

We recommend restocking at our General Store.  

Camping Cabins, Tent Sites, Van Sites, and RV Sites may be booked online for single-night stays.

All other accommodations require a minimum stay of 2 nights, or 3 nights during holiday weekends.

If you see a single night available on our booking calendar that cannot be reserved online, please email us at reservations@elklakeresort.com. We may be able to make an exception if the arrival date is within two weeks.

Exceptions are considered only when the available night is a standalone opening between existing reservations (with bookings immediately before and after) and there are no other accommodations available that can accommodate your party for the required minimum stay during the same time period.

Yes!  We have fuel for your boats, cars, and snowmobiles.

The current rate is $10 per gallon, but can change at any time.  Fuel is availaible anytime the Lodge is open.  

The resort is well prepared to handle winter emergencies. We can provide shuttle service out to Dutchman's Flat for acute issues. Otherwise we count on the Sheriff and Deschutes County Search and Rescue for more severe emergencies. 

Always call 911 in case of an emergency. 

During the summer season, we offer a 12:00 PM late checkout for cabins for a $100 fee.

Late checkout is not available during the winter season.

RV and tent sites must be completely cleaned and cleared by 10:00 AM on your day of departure. We do not offer late checkout for RV or tent sites or for items located in the campground.

We do not sell any permits or passes at the resort. 

Fishing licenses are found here: https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info

Central Cascade Wilderness Permits can be found here: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300009

Sno-Park passes can be purchased here: https://dmv2u.oregon.gov/eServices/?link=sno 

At this time, fishing is not allowed from our shores, docks, or main pontoon boats. However, there are many great fishing spots around the lake.

We DO have one fishing pontoon boat available that you can book online. Please remember that gutting or disposing of fish on our property is not allowed, and fishing off our docks or while docked near shore in the pontoon boat is prohibited for the safety of all guests.

Fishing licenses are found here: https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info

Elk Lake Resort is a smoke-free and vape free property. 

Yes, our on-site restaurant serves a variety of choices made with locally sourced ingredients.  We also have Grab-n-Go breakfast options.

We also have a full service bar, coffee station, and seasonal Pizza Kitchen and Ice-Cream!

Guest Wi-Fi Available

We are pleased to offer complimentary guest Wi-Fi throughout the resort. While we encourage our guests to embrace the beauty of Elk Lake by relaxing, recharging, and unplugging from the demands of everyday life, we understand that staying connected is sometimes necessary.

Wi-Fi Network: Elk Lake Guest

Password: LakeLife

Please note that Elk Lake Resort is located in a remote mountain setting. Due to our location, Wi-Fi service may be slower than what you may be accustomed to, and connection quality, reliability, and speeds cannot be guaranteed.

Various drinks, beer, snacks, merch, personal care items, limited camping and resupply options, non ethanol gas, propane canisters, ice, firewood bundles and other items. 

Credits issued after May 15, 2025 must be used within one year. Please email reservations@elklakeresort.com and we will assist you with your booking.

We cannot issue a refund if you make a reservation and then contact us to apply a credit. Credits are valid for new reservations only.

If you need to cancel a reservation you have made, the standard cancellation policy will apply.

All other historical credits are no longer accepted.

Individual and large group shuttles from Bend, Redmond, or Sisters to Dutchman Flat SnoPark in the winter and Elk Lake Resort in the summer can be provided by:

Our recommended service- Call/Text

Shuttle Oregon (541-903-0724) https://shuttleoregon.com/

A+ Safe Chauffuer (541-494-7233) https://www.541safe.com/ 

Bachelor/Cascade Transit Bus: 

https://cascadeseasttransit.com/transittotrails/

Campground Rules

• We have a desingated area for PCT hikers and charge $30 per person per night.  Must check in at Front Desk before going to campground.
• Quiet hours are 10:00 pm–7:00 am.
• Pets must be on a leash at all times and obey the quiet hours.  Pets cannot be tied up or left unattended.
• No excessive noise or partying at any time.
• Filling up your RV with our water supply is not permitted.
• Tents are only allowed in tent sites.
• Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Fires must be fully extinguished with water before leaving unattended or going to sleep.
• We have firewood available at the general store. 
• Generators are not permitted on the ground and must meet campground decibel limits. Generator use is restricted to designated hours only and are not allowed during a fire ban.
• All vehicles must park in designated areas only. Do not block roads, parking lots, trails, or campsites.
• No sleeping in any vehicle unless parked in a reserved Van site.  No exceptions.
• Speed limit is walking speed 
• Trash must be properly disposed of in provided receptacles. Do not leave food or trash unattended.
• No dumping of gray water, food waste, or ashes on the ground.
• Respect wildlife. Do not feed animals or leave food or trash unsecured.
• Campers are responsible for keeping their site clean and free of debris.
• No cutting or damaging trees, vegetation, or campground property.
• Drones are not permitted without prior approval from managment
• Portable fire pits, fireworks, and firearms are prohibited on resort property at all times.
• Portable propane cooking grills are allowed in the campground only-no charcoal grills allowed.
• Management reserves the right refuse service to anyone ay anytime for any reason.

We do not have a schedule when we will groom.  There are many factors that affect when we can groom (Snow conditions, temperature, employee and equipment availability).  We try to groom several times a week.

We post all our grooming reports using Nordic Pulse. Please visit https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/OR/Elk-Lake-Resort