Join Toby and me as we take the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway to enjoy an afternoon at the Elk Lake and explore an off-leash trail at Good Dog!
Driving to Elk Lake from Bend
We started off our day by driving south from downtown Bend on the SW Century Dr. Essentially, this is the road that turns into the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. The road is well-paved and absolutely beautiful to drive, with stunning views of the Deschutes National Forest. There are lots of cyclists along this road too, and that’s an option for you if you enjoy cycling.
Spots at Elk Lake
There are various areas around Elk Lake where you can enjoy water activities, leisurely walks, and picnics.
We first explored the South Beach Picnic Area a little bit. There is a small parking lot, and given that it was such a beautiful day in the summer, the little parking lot was pretty full. We found a spot luckily and walked along the south border of Elk Lake. There were many people having picnics, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There isn’t a place to rent water activity equipment here, though, so you’d have to bring your own equipment. Also, this is part of the Deschutes National Forest, so there is an honor system for paying the parking fee at the parking lot. If you have a national parks annual pass, you could simply display that on the dashboard of your car.
After spending some time here, we decided to head to the Elk Lake Resort and Marina for lunch. There are plenty of parking spaces available, especially since there is a large campground nearby. There was no charge to park in these open lots. The Elk Lake Resort restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area features a spacious wooden patio, where other patrons were also enjoying lunch with their furry companions. I ordered a burger, which hit the spot, while Toby took a nap in the sun. Afterwards, we took a leisurely walk along the edge of Elk Lake before deciding to call it a day.
Good Dog! Off-leash Area
We drove along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway back towards Bend, but just before entering the town, we made a stop at a large off-leash dog area called Good Dog! The place was mostly empty, with only a few other fellow walkers and their dogs. After parking, we set out to explore the Rimrock Trail, a paved dirt trail where dogs can roam off-leash. However, there wasn’t much shade, and it was quite hot, given we were here in August. I would recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water for both yourself and your pup! Since the trail is quite lengthy, we only walked for about 30 minutes before deciding to head back due to the increasing heat.
