TripAdvisor Traveler Rating based on
100 reviews
Call ahead This experience may be open for on-site visitation; however, offerings and/or operating procedures may have changed due to COVID-19. Please verify details before you go and visit the COVID-19 Resources page for more information.
Elk Lake Resort in Bend makes for a cozy retreat year-round, but especially as a basecamp to snow sports. Resort visitors can hop on the Mt. Bachelor shuttle at Dutchman Flat Snowpark and be on the slopesminutes later.
Wanted to take my son snowmobiling, and found Pat and Wendy at Elk Lake. We had an absolutely wonderful time! First, we took a 45 minute snowcat from Dutchman Flat Sno-Park (don’t forget to buy a parking permit at any ski shop) to the Elk Lake Resort with Michael. Super nice guy. You can’t drive your car to Elk Lake during the winter so you have to go round trip on their snowcat. It’s $50 per guest (min 3 guests), but the ride was definitely a fun part of the experience. This also made Elk Lake particularly nice because there weren’t a lot of people out there. Then Mike (also super friendly) set us up on a beautiful 2021 Polaris 650 VR1 snowmobile. I think they had 8 of them, four single seaters and four tandems. They all looked brand new. They were definitely in perfect condition, not even a scratch on them. Then he sent us on our way. We drove around Elk Lake and a bunch of the local trails. We came back to the lodge, drank some hot chocolate in their cafe and enjoyed another snowcat ride back to our car. All in all, it was a perfect first experience ever for my son on a snowmobile. He loved it! Wendy, Pat, Mike and Mike were the best. We will definitely be back!
We snowmobiled out to Elk Lake Resort to visit it for the first time. They had boarded up the porch due to covid so the resort is small and older and it most likely doesn't have as much charm because the porch looks like a boarded up addition. It's understandable that it doesn't have as much ambiance. We give them credit for finding a method to provide food in the circumstances. Our wait person was helpful and very nice, the food came quickly. We didn't think the food was very good. One had the burger and he didn't think it was good at all and the turkey sandwich was kind of odd. It has cranberries, cheese but then a sesame dressing - kind of like a cross between a holiday sandwich and an asian dish? The turkey is a few pieces of turkey. The Rueben was fine. Our wait person asked if we wanted to substitute but we weren't aware there were upcharges so our bill was $105 for a sandwich and a soda drink for 5 people before tip. I understand that they might need to charge a little more, I think we just wish the food was better for the price. They had restrooms available. It was fun to see, we might go again. I would definitely plan if you go out there to bring lots of food so that you limit eating in the restaurant to a few meals since they have limited menu and the food is average. It's a cute smaller older resort, it reminds me of the cultus lake resort. I found the woman who answers the phone to be very helpful and friendly. They have the suburban "cats" to give you a ride back and forth which is interesting if you haven't done that before. It must be a bumpy ride since the trails weren't groomed for the snowmobilers. I like the fact that they are very committed to donations for the local community.
Driving up the scenic by-way, we came across Elk Lake Resort and decided to have supper. The location was clean and seemed very concerned about social distancing. We were seated and they must have been short handed. it took a while before we were able to place our order, then a while before receiving it, then another while to get our ticket. My wife's blackened chicken salad was good, the elk chili was very good, and my elk burger was extremely dry. We left full, but not overly happy. I would give them another chance.
Is there any place more enjoyable in the month of August than Oregon? Oh yeah, make that central Oregon. And, the Bend area offers an assortment of outdoor leisure and adventure activities that is second too none! The lakes around Mt. Bachelor offer something for everyone - SUP, kayaking, swimming, hiking, trail runs . . . Oh man, the list keeps going. Elk Lake Resort must be on the top of anyone's ''must visit in central Oregon" list. With the restaurant and ice cream - as well as rental marina and easy boat access - it's perfect for a wide assortment of like visitors. Add to the mix, a number of lake-side day-use spots with picnic tables and water access - and it is a little paradise in the high desert. Do yourself a favor - visit Elk Lake. And get an ice cream and chicken tenders for the kids after a hard day stand up paddle boarding around the lake. Oh yeah, Oregon rocks!!
Our first time staying overnight at Elk Lake Resort and we loved it! We rented snowmobiles for the day and stayed in Cabin #25. It was cozy and perfect for my husband and I (and dog) -- we had a full kitchen and bath and warm fire. The snowcat drive in is an experience in it's self and makes the venture to the lake in the winter certainly memorable. It is a rock and roll ride, so be ready for the bumps! However, can't imagine xc skiing from Dutchmans, but heard people make the trek! Parking at Dutchmans for a holiday weekend was not our favorite part of the trip, but with some quick thinking we reserved a non-electric RV parking space at Mt Bachelor. However, once at the resort, the staff at the resort are super attentive and want to make you feel welcome. I am surprised by the other reviews about the staff being less than attentive. From the snowcat pick-up, cabin check-in, snowmobile rental, to lunch and dinner at the resort to snowcat departure was all well organized and very attentive. Snowmobile rental was a 2020 Polaris tradem -- heated seats and hand holders! We must have covered 20 miles going south and north! As for any complaints of less than perfect service, certainly, on a busy Sat/Sunday at 1pm when the entire restaurant fills up with snowmobilers all wanting some lunch will things be a bit slow -- but honestly, we waited 5 min (max) for our beer order. The food from the kitchen was hot and tasty and relatively quick once you order. The Elk Chili and beef hamburger were very tasty for lunch. Our dinner of wings, ribs and side salad were also very tasty (we opted for take out) was quicker than we could finish our drink at the bar! Anyone that complains of high prices should think twice about the journey that food and service has taken to get to you at this warm and cozy restaurant. We will be back for sure!!