The resort grounds are very pretty, planted with annuals and surrounded by tall pines, fir trees and hiking trails. A small restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily, rib dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, and it's open from late May through mid-September. This circa 1923 resort is 33 miles west of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway. In summer and winter, this place really hums with activity. The lake provides swimming, great sailing and sailboarding in the summer.
Fishing is good in the early summer and fall, and the resort rents boats and offers moorage.
It is only 1.5 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, making Elk Lake Resort a popular rest stop for backpackers. In winter, Elk Lake Resort, at an elevation of 4,900 feet, is a popular ski and snowmobile lodge. The road between Dutchman Flat Sno-Park and the resort is closed during winter. Guests need to make reservations for the 'Cat shuttle, which only runs when the weather is good. The resort sells gas and oil for snowmobiles and boats.