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Cascade Lakes Highway, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
Photo: DimiTalen · CC0

Drives Oregon The Oregon Cascades

Cascade Lakes Highway

OR 372 · Bend → Lava Lake turnoff

Leisurely34 mi40 min3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,400 ftOne way
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The drive

Century Drive and the Cascade Lakes Highway climb west from Bend, up past Mount Bachelor and then along Sparks, Devils and Elk lakes under South Sister and Broken Top. The drive ends at the Lava Lake turnoff, 33.7 miles from Bend, climbing 3,000 feet to a high point near 6,400.

It's rated Leisurely, with easy curves and lots of pullouts, about 40 minutes without stopping. Todd Lake and Elk Lake are named stops on the route.

Along the way

  1. Bend (Century Drive)
  2. Todd Lake
  3. Elk Lake
  4. Lava Lake turnoff
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,400 ft
BendLava Lake turnoff
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
BendLava Lake turnoff
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Beyond Mount Bachelor the highway is closed by snow from about mid-November to late May; Deschutes County aims to reopen it before Memorial Day.
  • Check Deschutes County for current road status before you go.

Closed west of Mount Bachelor from mid-November until late May. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Deschutes County: news and closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Cascade Lakes Highway take?

Bend to the Lava Lake turnoff on Century Drive and the Cascade Lakes Highway is 33.7 miles and takes about 40 minutes without stops.

When is the Cascade Lakes Highway closed?

Deschutes County closes it beyond Mount Bachelor each winter, usually from mid-November, and aims to reopen it before Memorial Day.

Is the Cascade Lakes Highway twisty?

No. The drive is rated Leisurely.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Cascade Lakes Highway, from Bend to Lava Lake turnoff