I had the pleasure recently of visiting the Bend area for the first time since I was a kid - including a day trip to beautiful Hosmer Lake for some canoeing! Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mount Bachelor, Hosmer is a popular, serene lake full of wild birds, lilipads, and great canoeing and kayaking. The weather was warm and the water was smooth as we glided the canoe across the lake and found a quiet spot at the far end to go ashore and do some exploring. Even though the parking lot was busy, the lake was big enough that we didn't feel crowded or like we were encountering other visitors at every turn. There's a small boat launch, decent sized parking lot, and a pit toilet here - as well as a campground (which we didn't visit on this trip). If you're looking to enjoy some watersports near Bend, I highly recommend Hosmer! read more

Hosmer Lake - Lakes Near Me - Bend, Oregon

This is not the fault of what was once a serene, quiet top quality fishing lake. Now, the fishing sucks because the lake is not really stocked anymore, and all the fish are natives, but because of the fact that paddleboarders have taken over, the fish are not as plentiful as they once were. Get there after 10 am? Good luck finding a place to park that isn't the side of the road on Elk lake loop. People now crowd in parking so badly on both sides to the access to the boat ramp makes putting in and getting out an actual boat extremely difficult. Plus people have no clue they are in the way, just put out your paddleboard and pump it up, oblivious that they are blocking the road, on both sides. Fishing is incredibly difficult when there is a freeway of paddleboarders and kayakers continually going by. The lake channels seem even more crowded when having to stay to the right with a non stop rush of non fishers speeding by as if it is a race to get wherever. At last visit i noticed hardly anyone had nw forest passes displayed nor dashboard daily passes. I think the paddleboarders have taken advantage that this lake's parking and access is not regulated. When i left there were over 20 cars in the "parking lot" at least 10 on both side of the access road and another 20 lining the Elk lape loop. I talked with a local person that had been going there for 50 years and in their words, "this place is a f*cking zoo". Never going back, this lake is ruined, thanks paddleboarders. read more

Loved it. Easy area to park and inflate kayak. The "lake" looks small from shore but it is really a long stretch of waterways through reeds that continue on and on until a larger area. You can decide how far you want to go before turning around. It was a great and interesting area to paddle. We could see large fish below at times and ducks, etc. Would definitely come back. read more

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It is one beautiful lake. So quiet to be on the lake in a kayak. It has a calm river exit to paddle up. Stop, and have lunch.

If you look on Google Maps or Earth for Hosmer Lake, you'll see a rather weird-looking body of water, as compared to the other nearby Cascade Lakes. Hosmer is irregular, strung out with a snaking channel between two larger sections and very, very green. The sort of pale green I associate with swimming pools that haven't been maintained, or stagnant ponds. In other words, not entirely appealing. On the ground, or water, the reality is quite different. Hosmer is beautiful with clear water. And it's perfect for kayaking, with views of Mt Bachelor and South Sister, plenty of shoreline places to explore and enough acreage to accommodate the crowds. Access Hosmer via the south Elk Lake Loop road (labeled Mud Lake Rd on Google Maps) off the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. Follow the road to the boat ramp area. There's a campground on the left just as you get to there. The boat ramp area doubles as a parking lot - there are no dedicated parking spots, just a lot of dirt and gravel. People seem to leave the left side for loading and unloading kayaks and canoes, while parking on the right side. It can get tight. Once on the lake, you can poke around the south area but the more interesting spots lie along and beyond the channel to the north. This is a fishing lake, so mind the fishing lines. For more info, read Christopher C's review. In fact, for any hiking, kayaking, waterfall spots in the Bend area, check out Chris's reviews and lists. A former Yelp Bend CM, Chris has documented Bend outdoors quite well. read more

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Hosmer Lake is very well known and I can't believe there are no reviews on it. Though I am glad to be the first! This lake is part of the Cascade Lakes and one of the closest of them to Bend. The lake is typically very clear and packed full of Atlantic Salmon.. yes, you heard right. On a calm day, you can look into the water and see schools of these Salmon. The first time I saw these salmon I remember thinking "are those some kind of ocean Salmon?". I checked with friends and the forest service website, and correct I was! Aside from the wildlife, the lake is surrounded by marshes and lilypad which you don't see often around here. I highly recommend getting a kayak and paddling this lake, just be sure to clean off the bottom of your boat before getting in to avoid any invasive species from entering this delicate ecosystem. From what I have been told there is a waterfall at the end of a long channel on this lake. I have never witnessed this myself but have been told countless times to check it out. The view of the mountains from this lake is absolutely outstanding. If you have the time and a boat to take out, I highly recommend Hosmer Lake. Just be sure to wash off your boots and boats before entering the water to avoid a TICKET and you will have a great time! Here is a good website to check out more facts about this lake https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/oregon/paddling/hosmer-lake-canoekayak Here is a link to the land management agency that manages this area https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=71867 read more

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The lake seemed beautiful but it was so crowded we couldn't get our kayaks even close to the boat ramp.