Lava Lake Oregon is one of the best lakes in Central Oregon!
Not only is Lava Lake beautiful, but it also offers excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and of course swimming.
In this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know about visiting Lava Lake Oregon, so that you can make the most of your time there.
As Central Oregon residents, we love Lava Lake and want to share our knowledge to help you enjoy this Central Oregon gem!
So pack your sunglasses and let’s dive into everything you need to know about Lava Lake Oregon.
Lava Lake Oregon Overview
Lava Lake is just a one hour drive from Bend and accessible via the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway when it is open (typically from May through November).
There are so many fun things to do at Lava Lake! First of all, the lake itself is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, and of course swimming.
We love that you can rent watercraft from Lava Lake Resort, which makes it easy to get out on the lake without needing to bring your own. There is also a small store there (talk about convenience).
You can camp at the Lava Lake Resort (which has full hookup RV sites) or at the State Campground right next door. We’ll go into more detail about camping at Lava Lake below.
Furthermore, there is an awesome hiking trail on the east side of the lake. Plus, there are plenty more nearby hikes within a short drive (more on hiking near Lava Lake below).
Lava Lake has excellent fishing and motorized boats are allowed.
Overall, Lava Lake has something for everyone, especially the excellent mountain views. In fact, you can see South Sister, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor from one spot.
While Lava Lake is awesome, don’t overlook Little Lava Lake to the South East. We’ll compare these two lakes in more detail later in this article.
Lava Lake Oregon Map
You can use the interactive map below to get your bearings. You can also open it in a new window.
Lava Lake Resort Oregon
Lava Lake Resort is a small campground and fishing resort that has been owned by the same family for more than 40 years!
They offer full hookup RV sites as well as watercraft rentals (paddleboards, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks).
In addition, they also have a small store that sells snacks, beer, ice, firewood, and tackle. Another big plus is their showers and laundry facility.
Overall, Lava Lake Resort has earned a positive reputation and is a highly rated favorite of many locals.
Camping at Lava Lake Oregon
There are several Lava Lake camping options. The first is the Lava Lake Resort campground (mentioned above).
The second is the state campground, called Lava Lake Campground. We stayed here in June in 2023 and had an awesome time! The sites are large and private.
In addition, there is another state campground at Little Lava Lake, appropriately called Little Lava Lake Campground.
| Campground | Ownership | RV Sites? | Open Season |
| Lava Lake Campground | State | Yes (max site spur = 30 ft), nonelectric | Typically: May 3 – October 20 |
| Little Lava Lake Campground | State | Yes (max site spur = 30 ft), nonelectric | Typically: May 10 – October 20 |
| Lava Lake Resort | Private | Yes (with hookups) | May – October |
Overall, all three of these are great options for camping near Lava Lake.
Of course, you can enjoy the best of both lakes regardless of the campground you choose as everything is very close together.
Boating and Fishing Lava Lake Oregon
Lava Lake is ideal for boating and fishing! There is an excellent boat ramp with a nice dock and a parking area.
There is no fee required to use the boating site, according to the official page. Also, there is a pit toilet on site.
A huge plus is the availability of a tackle shop at Lava Lake Resort (as described above).
Lava Lake (and Little Lava Lake) are known for their excellent trout fishing within a beautiful setting. However, Lava Lake is preferred by most anglers (conventional and fly).
Rainbow trout are stocked in both lakes and using a boat is the best bet.
We’re certainly not the most knowledgeable anglers, so we happily defer to this great webpage for more information about Lava Lake fishing.
Hiking at Lava Lake
There are several opportunities to hike at and near Lava Lake!
Although there are no trails that go all the way around Lava Lake, the Metolius-Windigo Trail is a three mile out-and-back trail that follows the east side of the lake.
This is a flat and pleasant hike that starts from Lava Lake Campground and is not very crowded.
Another option that starts from the same spot is Edison Lava Trail. This one follows the north side of Little Lava Lake and actually goes quite further.
We did both of these hikes in spring of 2023 and can highly recommend them.
In addition, there are other hikes within a very short drive, including the 3.6 mile round-trip to Lucky Lake, and the 1.3 mile Blue Lagoon Trail.
Of course, there are tons more epic hikes along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, including the amazing No Name Lake.
Our Tips When Visiting Lava Lake
Take advantage of Lava Lake Resort: Lava Lake Resort offers watercraft rentals and a small store. It is super convenient to be able to rent a paddleboard or boat and cruise around the lake.
Expect mosquitos in late spring: June is prime mosquito season in the Central Oregon Cascades. There will be mosquitos in June so be prepared. We recommend something like this head net or this net that attaches to a canopy.
Plan for all temperatures: The high desert climate is harsh. Temperature can swing 40 degrees F from high to low, even in the summer. Pack those layers!
Bring sun protection: The sun at this higher elevation is no joke. We recommend a sun shirt and large hat in addition to sunscreen when necessary.
Leave no trace: Don’t leave any trash. Help preserve this natural area for future visitors!
Lava Lake or Little Lava Lake Oregon?
Both Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake are awesome lakes near Bend and totally worth a visit.
In reality, you don’t necessarily have to choose one over the other. You can visit both!
If you are camping, you can choose either Lava Lake Campground or Little Lava Lake Campground (or Lava Lake Resort as mentioned above).
However, you can easily access both lakes regardless of where you’re camping, as they are both quite close to each other. Also, they each have a small parking area for day use.
Things to do Near Lava Lake
Lava Lake is situated close to so many amazing outdoor activities in Central Oregon!
In fact, there are tons of awesome hikes, lakes, and campgrounds to explore near Bend, many of which are along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, and just a short drive from Lava Lake.
Some fun lakes near Lava Lake are Hosmer Lake (great for paddleboarding), Elk Lake (great for swimming), and Sparks Lake (an overall amazing lake near Bend).
Conclusion
We hope you found this article about Lava Lake Oregon helpful. You should have a much better idea of what to expect and how to plan your visit!
If you’re interested, check out our other articles about Central Oregon.
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