Sparks Lake

Sparks Lake is located about 25 miles west of Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway. The lake was named for "Lige" Sparks, a pioneer stockman of central Oregon. This picturesque natural lake is surrounded by numerous mountain ranges. Dark-green forests, bright-green meadows, and deep-blue skies will linger on your real or imaginary canvas.

Boats with and without motors leave a soft wake on Sparks Lake all summer long. However, because the speed limit at Sparks Lake is only ten miles per hour, it is not a good place for water-skiing or tubing. The only sort of angling permitted on the lake is fly-fishing. The old lava flows that block the shoreline make boating the most common method of casting a line.

Sparks Lake receives a lot of visitors thanks to this distinctive shoreline as well as other vivid Cascade Mountain features. The 2.5-mile Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail provides a wonderful, informative approach to discovering picturesque surroundings. The trail starts close to the Sparks Lake boat launch and winds through lodge pole pines and lava flows.

Location: Central Oregon