FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common inquiries we receive from our guests. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Do you allow Guest Dogs at the Resort?
Yes! We’re happy to welcome dogs during the summer season.
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
You clean up after your dog
Dogs are non-aggressive and well-behaved
A pet fee of $50 per night, per dog, per accommodation applies.
Dogs are not permitted on furniture in cabins or inside cabanas. However, they are welcome at Music on the Water, on the Day Dock, and aboard the Angler Pontoon boat.
Please note that we have resident resort dogs who may be off-leash, as they are familiar with the property and daily operations.
If the presence of off-leash dogs would make you uncomfortable, we completely understand and encourage you to consider whether our resort is the right fit for your visit.
Where do I park when I visit and what is the fee?
New this year, our main parking lot—called the Upper Parking Lot—is located immediately to the left as you enter the Resort. Only guests with cabin or campground reservations may park at their reserved site upon arrival.
Campground guests may park starting at 12:00 PM, and cabin guests may park starting at 2:00 PM- please see website for how many vehicles can park in your given site. You may not enter the reservation area to set up, or unload any items until you check in at the front desk after 4pm.
We do not provide public parking for hikers or other guests around Elk Lake. Our Upper Parking lot is small and is strictly for day use guests and overflow from lodging guests.
The parking lot by the Lodge—called the Lower Parking Lot—is reserved for the first two vehicles of guests who have rented Pontoon Boats, Cabanas, or the Day Dock.
In addition, it has about 20 parking spots available for boat slip owners, with a limit of one vehicle per slip owner per day.
Once the Lower Parking Lot is full, all other guests must park in the Upper Parking Lot, which is limited, so we recommend carpooling or using Shuttle Oregon for group transportation.
Reservations will be verified upon entry to the Resort. There is no fee to park.
New! Day Use Guest Beach Area!
Day-use guests must park in the Upper Parking Lot and walk down to the beach.
The day-use beach is located immediately next to the marina stand and in front of the large cabanas.
The beach area behind the pizza kitchen and the Lodge is reserved for overnight Main Cabin guests, Stay & Recharge package guests, and those who book the DayDock. Day-use guests are not permitted in this area to ensure a quiet, relaxing experience for our guests with reservations.
Campground guests (those staying in camping cabins, tent sites, RV sites, van sites, PCT hiker area, and group tent sites) must use the Day-Use Beach.
Beginning in 2026, unless you are staying overnight at the resort, outside food and beverages are not allowed on the property or at the beach. Glass bottles of any kind are prohibited anywhere on the property.
Guests with large marina reservations (cabanas, day dock, or pontoon boats), may bring outside food and alcohol, but it must be consumed within the rental only.
No outside catering is allowed.
Can I bring my own Grill?
To help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for guests, grilling is only permitted at campground sites with reservations, cabins with a BBQ, and for guests using the day dock.
Grilling is not allowed in any other areas of the resort. Please do not bring personal grills onto the property unless you have a campground reservation.
Can I bring alcohol or food to the resort?
Unless you are a guest staying at the resort overnight, outside food and beverages are not allowed to be brought onto the property.
Marina reservation (cabana, day dock, pontoon boat) guests may bring outside food and alcohol to be consumed within your rental ONLY. No outside catering allowed.
Please no glass bottles of any kind at the resort, especially on the beach. Lots of bare feet!
Is smoking allowed?
Elk Lake Resort is now a completely smoke-free property. Violations of this policy result in a $250 fine.
Can I stay at the resort for 1 night?
Camping Cabins, Tent, Van, and RV Sites can be booked online for 1 night stays.
Otherwise, our minimum length of stay is 2 nights and 3 nights on holiday weekends.
If you you see a 1-night availability on the calendar, please email us at reservations@elklakeresort.com and we might be able to make an exception.
Is there a restaurant on-site?
Yes, our on-site restaurant serves lunch, and dinner made with locally sourced ingredients.
We also have a full service bar, coffee station, and seasonal Pizza Kitchen and Ice-Cream.
What are the campground rules?
Campground Rules
- Quiet hours are 10:00 pm–7:00 am.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times and obey the quiet hours. Pet fee must be paid for all overnight stays.
- 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.
- All vehicles must park in designated areas only. Do not block roads, trails, or campsites.
- No sleeping in any vehicle unless parked in a Van site. No expceptions.
- 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
- Portable propane grills are allowed in the campground only-no charcoal grills allowed.
- Management reserves the right refuse service to anyone ay anytime for any reason.
Are there shuttle services?
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/
When do you groom the trails around Elk Lake Resort?
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
Can I fish at the resort?
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
How are emergencies handled in winter?
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.
Are campfires allowed?
Of course! We have designated campfire rings at most of our lodging sites. For our safety, no propane or portable firepits are allowed.
Please don't leave a fire unattended and douse with water when you're done. Also, please no burning of trash or food as it attracts unwanted animals and makes it a mess for the next guests.
There are times when the forest service restricts campfires, we'll be sure to let you know.
Enjoy your s'mores! (we have kits at the general store)
How do I use a credit on file?
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.
Do you offer late checkout?
In the summer we do. We offer a 1pm checkout and fees vary by room type. We do not offer late checkout in the winter.
$100 for Cabins 22, 23, and 26
$60 for Cabins 17, 18, 19, 20, and 25
$25 for Camping cabins
RV & Tent sites must be cleaned and cleared by 1pm on your day of departure. No extra fees apply.
Can I launch my boat at the resort?
Yes, we do have a boat launch. There is a $20 launch fee, and boat launches are not allowed on Saturdays. Please check in at the front desk to pay the launch fee before launching your boat. Thank you!
We have one boat slip available on a first-come, first-served basis for $65 per night. The reservation period is 10:00 AM to 10:00 AM the following day (24 hours). This slip can be reserved online in advance.
Guests are not allowed to tie up to our dock unless the Daily Boat Slip has been reserved.
What does the general store sell?
Various drinks, beer, snacks, merch, personal care items, limited camping supplies, non ethanol gas, propane canisters, ice, firewood bundles and other items.
Do you accept PCT Hiker resupply boxes?
PCT Hiker InformationYes, 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
Why can't I book online?
Our online booking system closes reservations a few days prior to each activity date so we can properly plan staffing and operational flow.
If you see an available spot but are unable to book it online, please give us a call. We’ll be happy to check our internal system and calendar to see if we can reserve it for you.
Most open items can be booked day-of in person!
What activities and rentals are available at Elk Lake Resort?
Elk Lake Resort offers a variety of activities year-round. Our summer activities include hiking, swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking.
Our winter activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, holiday dinners, a wood-fired sauna, and cross-country skiing trails. There's something for everyone to enjoy!
Do you have Wi-Fi?
Guest Wi-Fi is not currently available. Please bring your own hotspot.
Verizon & AT&T have the best cellular reception at the resort.
Do you sell forest service passes, sno-park permits, fishing permits, or hiking passes
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
When can I check in?
Check-in is after 4 PM and check-out is before 10 AM.
If you need to adjust these times, please contact us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
What renovation projects are we working on next?
Elk Lake Resort will be undergoing renovations, changes and upgrades all over the property throughout 2026!
Expect to see us working on making the Resort the best it can be. Please do not enter areas that you can see are being updated.
Do you have games, playpens, or highchairs?
We have a limited number of playpens, high chairs, booster seats, and a variety of games and cards available in the Lodge. We kindly ask that you return everything after use.
These items are available on a first-come, first-served basis in person and cannot be reserved. Please note that our game selection changes frequently, so we do not maintain a current list.
Do you have fuel?
Yes! We have fuel for your boats, cars, and snowmobiles.
The current rate is $10 per gallon, but cna change at any time. Fuel is availaible anytime the Lodge is open.
Good to Know Info
Here are answers to a few questions we’re often asked:
Portable grills and personal fire pits are not allowed at any time.
Fishing is not allowed from our shores, docks, or within our swim area.
Elk Lake is a 10 mph, no-wake lake.
Towing is not allowed on our pontoon boats.
There is no lifeguard on duty.
We do not rent life jackets. Life jackets are supplied with marina rentals only.
We do not have a dump station for RVs.
We do not allow RV water fill-ups with our water supply.
Fireworks are not allowed at any time.
A $30 corkage fee applies if you bring your own bottle of wine to the Lodge.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time for any reason, with no refunds.
Need More Help?
If you have any other questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff. We’re here to help make your stay unforgettable!




