The Cascade Lakes Highway

Devil's Lake is one of the jewels along the Cascade Lakes Highway

Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon is practically paradise on Earth.  After escaping the traffic and rain of Seattle, Washington four years ago, my family has been enjoying the benefits of living in a small town that is both “green” and filled with recreational opportunities.

One of our favorite trips is right in our backyard.  The Cascade Lakes Highway is a scenic drive (or strenuous bicycle ride) that takes you on a tour of a number of beautiful mountain lakes – all within 60 miles of Bend!

Sparks Lake, Oregon

Pack your hiking shoes, sunscreen and bug spray and don’t forget your camera!  The Cascade Lakes offer tranquil settings for picnics, wonderful fly fishing and boating, and more hikes than you could accomplish if you stayed in Central Oregon for a month.

Just past iconic Mt. Bachelor, the Cascade Lakes Highway is a scenic drive – open only during non-snow months – that tours you around 8 lakes – including campgrounds, trail heads, lake resorts and more.  The air is a bit cleaner and colder than in Bend.  But you won’t even notice!

Boats at Elk Lake, Oregon

Massive Ponderosa Pines line the sides of the 2-lane highway, guiding you along the beautiful scenic drive.

If you want to find some new trails or campgrounds, get up to the Cascade Lakes Highway in the next month or so.  The highway will be closed once the snow gets too deep to clear, and will remain so until May!

Ponderosa Pines along the Cascade Lakes Highway

Getting out to enjoy nature at her finest is a great way to travel green!