The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is an iconic scenic highway that provides easy access to some of the best natural areas in central Oregon.
Sparkling lakes, rugged mountain peaks, amazing hikes, and picturesque campgrounds await at every turn of this scenic drive Bend Oregon is lucky to have.
As central Oregon residents, we’ve explored a lot of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and keep going back each year!
In this article, we’ve gathered our local knowledge to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time.
By the way, this is a long article, so check out the table of contents to get what you need.
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Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Oregon: Overview
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (also called the “Cascade Lakes Highway” or “Cascade Scenic Byway”) meanders for 66 miles through the mesmerizing Cascade Mountain Range in central Oregon.
The Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway showcases the beauty of this region through a kaleidoscope of landscapes, from serene mountain lakes to rugged volcanic peaks.
It cannot be understanded: the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway has so much to offer! Just take a look at some of these statistics.
- 1 of 184 national scenic byways in the USA
- 66 miles of scenic roadway
- 14 lakes with road access (and dozens more within hiking distance)
- Dozens of trailheads and hundreds of hiking trails
- 24 campgrounds (most are lakeside)
- 5 lakeside resorts
- Dozens of unique roadside viewpoints
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Map
This map we made displays all of the viewpoints, lakes, hikes, campgrounds, and other things to do mentioned in this article (and some that aren’t mentioned).
Officially, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway starts at SW Century Drive near Mt. Bachelor, then goes west before turning south, where it ends at Highway 58 near Crescent Lake.
When to visit the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
With an elevation between 4,000 and over 6,000 feet, this scenic byway gets a lot of snow during winter months.
Therefore, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is only open seasonally, typically between mid-May and mid-November, depending on the year.
The table below helps you know what to expect for each month that the byway is open.
| Month(s) | Typical Temperatures | What to expect |
| May June | 40 – 70 °F 4 – 21 °C | Fewer crowds. Mosquitos. Snow on trails. |
| July | 50 – 75 °F 10 – 24 °C | Wildflowers. Some mosquitos. Some snow on trails. |
| August September | 45 – 80 °F 7 – 27 °C | More crowds. Higher accommodation prices. Wildfire risk. |
| October November | 35 – 60 °F 1 – 15 °C | Fall colors. Fewer crowds. Shorter daylight hours. |
Before you go: Check up-to-date Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway road conditions, on ODOT’s Trip Check website and this Deschutes County webpage.
Local tip: There are more snow on the mountains the earlier in the year, which we think is much more scenic than when the snow is mostly melted by September and the mountains are bare.
Lakes on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
There are 14 lakes on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway accessible by road, which are most of the best lakes near Bend and the main draw of this scenic road.
Each one is unique and has different activities to offer. The table below shows a high-level overview of these 14 Cascade Lakes Highway lakes.
| Lake | Great for | Campground? | Resort? |
| Todd Lake | Hiking. | Yes (hike-in) | No |
| Sparks Lake | Lounging. Swimming. Hiking. Paddling. Views. | Yes (dispersed, free) | No |
| Devils Lake | Swimming. Paddling. Fishing. | Yes | No |
| Elk Lake | Lounging. Swimming. Paddling. Views. Boating. Fishing. | Yes (three) | Yes |
| Hosmer Lake | Paddling. Views. Fishing. | Yes (two) | No |
| Lava Lake | Swimming. Paddling. Boating. Views. | Yes | Yes |
| Little Lava Lake | Swimming. Paddling. Fishing. Views. | Yes | No |
| Cultus Lake | Swimming. Paddling. High speed boating. Fishing. | Yes | Yes |
| Little Cultus Lake | Swimming. Paddling. Fishing. | Yes | No |
| Craine Prairie Reservoir | Swimming. Paddling. Boating. Fishing. Birdwatching. | Yes (four) | Yes |
| Twin Lakes (North + South) | Lounging. Swimming. Paddling. Fishing. | Yes | Yes |
| Wickiup Reservoir | Boating. Fishing. Birdwatching. Variable water levels. | Yes | No |
| Davis Lake | Lounging. Swimming. Paddling. | Yes (two) | No |
With so many options, it can be hard to decide which one(s) you want to check out! Don’t worry, we’ll help you decide below and cover each lake in detail later.
How to Choose a Lake (at a glance)
If you want something easy to access, with no dirt roads, fairly close to Bend, and minimal walking, check out Devils Lake, Elk Lake, Lava Lake or Cultus Lake.
For the best mountain views from the shoreline, go for Sparks Lake, Elk Lake, Lava Lake, or Crane Prairie Reservoir.
If you want resort amenities (like a restaurant and watercraft rental), check out Elk Lake Resort, Lava Lake Resort, or Cultus Lake Resort, or South Twin Lake Resort.
For the best lakeside lounging, check out Sparks Lake, Devils Lake, Elk Lake, or the Twin Lakes.
For the best paddling, checkout Sparks Lake, Elk Lake, or Hosmer Lake.
If you want high-speed boating activities, go to Cultus Lake.
For fishing and wildlife viewing, check out Crane Prairie Reservoir or Wickiup Reservoir.
If you only have time for one lake, we recommend Sparks Lake or Elk Lake.
Now let’s dive into each lake in more detail, so you have a better idea of what to expect. Also, we’ll cover some basic Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway itinerary ideas later.
Best Cascade Lakes Highway Lakes
These are the most visited lakes on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. We’ll cover less visited lakes later!
Todd Lake
Todd Lake is a small lake 25 miles west of Bend and typically requires a 35-minute drive.
The main draw is a short and relatively flat 1.7-mile hike around the lake, which offers beautiful views of the lake, surrounding forest, and Mt. Bachelor.
However, the view of Mt. Bachelor is partially obscured by the Topology. Also, Broken Top is just barely visible from some parts of the trail.
Know that there is a short walk from the parking lot to the lake (around 0.2 miles) and much of the shoreline is forested, so it’s not as ideal for setting up a spot for the day.
That said, paddling is possible if you can transport your watercraft from the parking lot. As with most sub-alpine mountain lakes, swimming can be pleasant.
Be aware: the short dirt road to the Todd Lake Trailhead is fairly bumpy, so you might have to walk a bit further if your car can’t handle it.
There are three walk-in campsites that are close to Todd Lake and about 10 minutes from the parking lot.
Furthermore, the parking lot is small and does fill up on busy weekends. Plan to arrive before 9 am for the best chance of getting a spot.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Todd Lake Trailhead is an access point for hiking to the beautiful No Name Lake, which is one of the best lakes near Bend.
Sparks Lake
One of the true gems along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Sparks Lake is 27 miles from Bend and has so much to offer visitors.
Sparks Lake is known for impressive mountain views, providing a front and center experience with three iconic central Oregon peaks: South Sister, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor.
The primary activities at Sparks Lake include paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, swimming, dispersed camping, and of course photography.
Sparks Lake has a nice day use area with some rocky beach access, which is suitable but not ideal for lake-side lounging.
In our opinion, the main draw of Sparks Lake is paddling due to the impressive mountain views as well as the numerous islands, inlets, and bays to explore.
In fact, we consider Sparks Lake one of the places near Bend for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Also, the Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail hugs the shoreline of Sparks Lake and offers incredible views. This is one of our all-time favorite hikes near Bend.
There are also a number of free dispersed campsites. Some accessible via car but there are lots of lakeside sites accessible by only by paddling.
Be aware: there is a 1.7-mile-long dirt road that connects the Sparks Lake Day Use Area to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. This road is fairly bumpy.
Learn more in our full article about Sparks Lake.
Devils Lake
Devils Lake is a small and shallow lake along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway located about 27 miles west of Bend, with a typical drive time of 35 minutes.
The beautiful turquoise colored water is the defining characteristic of Devils Lake.
There is no main day use area or beach space, but rather lots of easily accessible scattered hangout spots along the shoreline which can be great to set up for the day.
Be aware that the parking lot can get crowded during busy weekends, but you can usually find parking alongside the road.
There is a short hiking trail on the south side of the lake.
Also, there are 10 first come first served walk-in campsites at Devils Lake Campground. These sites are usually full during summer
Elk Lake
One of the more popular Cascade Lakes Highway lakes, Elk Lake is about 40 minutes and 32 miles from Bend.
Elk Lake has 3 campgrounds, 3 day use areas, and Elk Lake Resort. Needless to say, this is one of the more developed lakes near Bend.
While it can get crowded, Elk Lake is also very accessible, great for paddling, camping, swimming, lounging lakeside, and enjoying the amenities provided by Elk Lake Resort.
In fact, Elk Lake Resort is a great spot for families who want to take advantage of the convenient restaurant and watercraft rentals for a both single day and an overnight stay.
You can even rent a pontoon boat, and the swim platform is another nice touch. Also, ice cream!
In addition to Elk Lake Resort, other nice day use areas include the Sunset View Day Use Area on the east side of the lake and the day use area on the south side of the lake (which has the best mountain views).
Also, there is a nice hiking trail along the south and east sides of Elk Lake which has some great views.
For the anglers, there are some good fishing opportunities at Elk Lake.
Learn more in our full article about Elk Lake Oregon.
Hosmer Lake
Hosmer Lake is located along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and is about 36 miles and 45 minutes from Bend.
In general, Hosmer has 4 main draws: paddling, mountain views, fly-fishing, and camping.
In fact, we think Hosmer is one of the best lakes for paddling near Bend because of the unique shape of the lake and the mountain views.
The lake is super long and skinny with lots of different nooks and crannies to explore and get lost in.
In addition, the heavily vegetated shoreline makes it a great spot for fly-fishing.
There is not really a beach space, so don’t expect to spend much time not on the water.
Rather, the boat launch is where you park and launch. That is, unless you are camping at Mallard Marsh Campground or South Campground.
Both of these campgrounds are pretty nice for enjoying the activities at Hosmer Lake.
Lava and Little Lava Lake
Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake are located about 38 miles west of Bend and typically take about 50 minutes to drive to from Bend.
Lava Lake is a fairly large lake with some excellent mountain views, a campground, an RV resort, boating (including a boat ramp) and fishing, and a shoreline hiking trail.
Lava Lake Campground and Lava Lake Resort make this a great lake near Bend for overnight stays.
Lava Lake Campground has large and fairly private sites, while Lava Lake Resort has convenient amenities RV sites, watercraft rentals, and a small store. This is a great place to rent a boat or a paddleboard.
Learn more in our full guide to Lava Lake Oregon.
Little Lava Lake is the source of the mighty Deschutes River. There is a small campground that has a relaxed feel but isn’t far from the amenities at Lava Lake Resort.
We love Little Lava Lake for paddling because it has great mountain views.
In addition, Little Lava Lake is known for its fishing. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed. Launching is done via a gravel boat ramp.
Cultus Lake
Cultus Lake is a large lake near Bend located about 40 miles away and typically takes about an hour to drive there.
Primarily known for boating activities, fishing, camping at Cultus Lake Campground, and Cultus Lake Resort, there’s really something for everyone at this lake.
One of the main draws of Cultus Lake is the motor boating sports like water skiing, wakeboard, and jet skiing that are possible due to the large size of the lake.
In fact, Cultus Lake is one of the handful of lakes near Bend that allow high speed watercraft.
Boats can be launched from the Cultus Lake Boating Site which is adjacent to the campground and has a dock and two boat ramps.
Cultus Lake Campground is a popular campground next to Cultus Lake with 55 campsites suitable for tents, campers, and RVs under 30 feet.
Cultus Lake Resort offers rustic cabins, a general store, a restaurant, watercraft rentals, and a scenic location.
A unique characteristic of Cultus Lake is the several wilderness campgrounds along the shoreline accessible only by boat. These are referred to as “boat-in campgrounds”.
Finally, there is a hiking trail that wraps around the north and west side of the lake.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Hiking Trails
When you’re not enjoying lake activities, The Cascade Lakes Highway provides access to dozens of amazing hiking trails in the Deschutes National Forest.
In fact, some of the best hikes in Central Oregon are accessed via the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Three Sisters Wilderness and be rewarded with breathtaking vistas, lush forests, alpine meadows, and sparkling lakes along the way.
The table below shows the best hikes along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
| Hike | Difficulty | Overview |
| Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail | Easy | Follows the shoreline of Sparks Lake and provides amazing mountain views. |
| Todd Lake to No Name Lake | Hard | A gradual and long trail with rewarding views of the Cascade Mountains and a stunning alpine lake. |
| Green Lakes | Moderate | Provides up close mountain views from three alpine lakes. |
| Moraine Lake | Moderate | An engaging trail with great mountain views. |
| South Sister | Hard | A challenging climb with some of the best views in central Oregon from the summit of South Sister. |
| Elk Lake Trail | Easy | A flat and pretty trail along the shoreline of Elk Lake. |
| Six Lakes Trail | Easy | A relatively flat trail that connects a series of lakes. |
Keep in mind: You need a Central Cascades Wilderness Day Use Permit to hike some of these trails.
Learn more great central Oregon trails in our article about the best hikes near Bend.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Camping
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway provides access to more than 20 campgrounds, most of which are on the shoreline of a lake.
Of course, each one is unique and has its upsides and downsides. In fact, there are also lots of dispersed camping opportunities if you know where to look.
The table below shows some of the best campgrounds along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
| Campground | Overview |
| Soda Creek Campground | 10 reservable sites resting alongside a creek that flows into Sparks Lake. Great mountain views but no direct lake access. Fairly exposed. |
| Devils Lake Campground | 10 hike-in, tent only, first come first serve sites. Sites are fairly private and close to the lake. Sites fill up quickly on nice weekends. |
| Elk Lake Campground | Reservable sites near a boat ramp and access to Elk Lake Resort amenities. Nice shoreline along Elk Lake. |
| Mallard Marsh Campground | 15 reservable sites alongside Hosmer Lake. Great for paddling and fly fishing. |
| Lava Lake Campground | 40 or so reservable sites on Lava Lake. Great access to Lava Lake Resort amenities and boat ramp. Mountain views from the shoreline. |
| Little Lava Lake Campground | A small and cozy campground next to Little Lava Lake. Not too far from Lava Lake Resort amenities. |
| Crane Prairie Campground | A large campground with lakeside sites, great mountain views, and access to Crane Prairie Resort. |
Of course, there are lots more campgrounds accessible via the Cascade Lakes Highway than listed here. Don’t be afraid to try one of the less popular ones!
Plan ahead: Many of these campgrounds are popular and fill up months in advance. Be proactive and reserve online when reservations open (typically in May).
There are lots of other great places to camp in central Oregon like the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Learn more about the best campgrounds near Bend.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Resorts
There are 5 lakeside resorts along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway that are a great way to enjoy an overnight stay or even take advantage of the amenities for the day.
These lakeside resorts have convenient amenities like cabins, campsites, or other lodging options, a small store, a restaurant, and watercraft rentals.
The table below shows these 5 resorts on the Cascade Lakes Highway at a high level. Click on the links in the table above to learn more about each resort.
| Resort Name | Amenities |
| Elk Lake Resort and Marina | Cabins. Glamping tents. Campsites. Bar/restaurant. Watercraft rentals. |
| Lava Lake Resort | Small store. Watercraft rentals. Campsites. |
| Crane Prairie Resort | Small store. Watercraft rentals. Fishing guides. Cabins, yurts, campsites, and teepees! |
| Cultus Lake Resort | Small store. Cabins. Restaurant. Watercraft rentals. |
| Twin Lakes Resort | Small store. Cabins. Campsites. Restaurant. Watercraft rentals. |
Each resort is unique and have their own charms, but all are great places to enjoy a multi-day trip immersed in nature.
There’s also lots of great places to stay in Bend and other amazing resorts near Bend.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
Keep in mind these important tips before you embark on your Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway adventure.
Seasonal Closures
The scenic byway is closed between October/November and May/June each year, depending on snowpack. Check ODOT’s Trip Check website and this Deschutes County webpage to see Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway road conditions.
Plan for Crowds, Permits, and Reservations:
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a popular destination. On nice summer weekends, many parts along the highway are crowded, which leads to full parking lots, crowded beaches, and traffic.
Generally, it’s a good idea to get to where you’re going early (before 10:00 am if you can) on weekends with nice weather. Be flexible and have a backup plan if your destination is too crowded for your taste. There’s lots of lesser-known spots to explore.
Some parking areas require a valid parking pass. Many hikes (yes even day hikes) now require a Cascade Wilderness Permit to limit crowded trails and impacts to sensitive natural areas. Learn more about the permits required in the Deschutes National Forest.
Campgrounds and resort accommodation fill up quickly. Be proactive and know when you can reserve your overnight stay (often months in advance).
Prepare for the weather:
The central Oregon high desert climate can be pleasant but also harsh. Strong sun, exposure, and summer heat warrants adequate sun protection and sufficient water.
Also, temperatures can fluctuate up to 40 degrees F between highs and lows, so bring layers and prepare for cold temperatures even in the summer.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Itineraries
With so many great things to see along this scenic road, it can be hard to decide what to do!
It can be fun to be spontaneous and explore without a plan, but it’s also nice to have an idea of some spots you want to check out.
There are tons of ways to enjoy this scenic road. You can stay at one lake for the whole weekend, or you can bounce around and do a combination of hikes, viewpoints, or lake activities. It really just depends on what you want.
Based on our own experience, we’ve brainstormed some of the best itineraries for one to two days of explore the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
Itinerary 1: See the Best Roadside Viewpoints
Starting from Bend, head west and enjoy the views of Mt. Bachelor through the windshield. First, stop at the overflow parking lot accross the road from the Green Lakes Trailhead, which has great views of Mt. Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top.
Next, continue west and stop on the south side of the road as soon as you Devils Lake, accross from the large lava flow. This is the best spot to enjoy the turquoise green color of Devils Lake.
For your third stop, park at Elk Lake Resort, and walk out to the shoreline. Take in the views of the marina, South Sister, and Broken Top and maybe get lunch or an ice cream.
As a bonus, you could stop at the Beach Picnic Area on the southern end of Elk Lake.
Next, stop at Lava Lake Resort which has more great views of the same mountains, but from a different angle.
For your final stop, head south to Rock Creek Campground at Crane Prairie Reservoir. You can see more great mountain views from the boat ramp area.
Itinerary 2: Swim or Paddle at Three of the Best Lakes
This one is great for those who love to enjoy lakes and are willing to move around throughout the day.
Be sure to set aside a full day for plenty of time to explore three individual lakes. First, stop at Sparks Lake (be aware of the bumpy dirt road). Take in the amazing mountain views.
Next, head to Devils Lake and enjoy the colorful (but cold) water. Finally, head to Elk Lake, where you can choose one of several day use areas to hang out at. This is a great place to grab lunch, dinner, or watch the sunset over the mountains.
Of course, you can always just choose one of these lakes to spend the whole day at for a more relaxing experience.
Less Visited Cascade Lakes Highway Lakes
Often overlooked, these less visited lakes on the Cascade Lakes Highway are still worth a visit.
Little Cultus Lake
One of the lesser visited lakes on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Little Cultus Lake is about 1 hour from Bend.
Little Cultus Lake has one campground, and many of the sites are shaded and just steps from the water. However, some of the sites are close together.
Furthermore, the gradually sloped shoreline is great for swimming and paddling.
The only downside we can think of for Little Cultus Lake is the lack of mountain views, but the serenity and solitude more than make up for that.
Fishing for lake trout and brook trout is popular at Little Cultus Lake.
Keep in mind: There is a 3-to-4-mile dirt road that can be a bit bumpy.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Crane Prairie Reservoir is a beautiful body of water along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway about 1 hour from Bend.
It offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout. In fact, Crane Prairie is one of the most productive rainbow trout fisheries in central Oregon, earning a reputation for sizable “cranebows”.
Visitors can also enjoy boating, kayaking, and peaceful hikes in the surrounding area.
There are three campgrounds and several boat launch areas where you can launch motorized and non-motorized boats.
Crane Prairie is also known for wildlife viewing opportunities due to the great environment for nesting and migratory birds.
Overall, Crain Prairie a great lake for fishing and birdwatching with excellent views of the mountains.
Twin Lakes (North and South)
Named for their nearly identical appearance, North and South Twin Lakes are almost perfectly circular, a result of their volcanic formation.
Both lakes have nice shorelines that are great for lounging and hanging out lakeside.
There are three options for overnight stays: North Twin Lake Campground, Twin Lakes Resort (on South Twin Lake), and South Twin Lake Campground.
There is also a fun hiking trail that goes around both lakes and is about 5 miles long.
Both North and South Twin Lake are stocked with Rainbow Trout and are great for fishing, but both lakes are non-motorized.
Wickiup Reservoir
Wickiup Reservoir is a large body of water along the Deschutes River that was created in 1939 by the Wickiup Dam.
This human made reservoir is fairly shallow as variable water levels based on the time of year.
Wickiup Reservoir is great for birdwatching and fishing because of the relatively warm water, deep channels, and diverse shoreline.
There are several campgrounds, boat launches, and day use areas, but the fluctuating water levels can be a challenge for access.
Davis Lake
Davis Lake is a smaller lake with a characteristic lava flow on the northeast side. There are two campgrounds and some views of the surrounding mountains.
However, the water level can fluctuate depending on the time of year which makes it less than ideal for water activities.
One of the less popular lakes, Davis Lake is often overlooked but still has a lot to offer.
Conclusion
Hopefully you learned all you need to know about the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway before you go explore for yourself!
The Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway is one of the best things to do in central Oregon and we are so lucky to have this gem in our backyard.
If you are visiting Bend, welcome! We hope you enjoy your time here. If you’re still in the planning stages, be sure to check out our other articles about visiting central Oregon. You also might want to know some other things to do in Bend.
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