Paddleboarding on Cultus Lake near Bend, Oregon

Paddleboarding on Cultus Lake offers an exceptional opportunity to experience the pristine waters and natural beauty surrounding Bend, Oregon. This tranquil spot, hidden within the Deschutes National Forest, is renowned for its inviting waters, making it a perfect venue for both seasoned paddleboarders and beginners alike. The lake is an idyllic escape from the bustle of city life, where visitors can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying a fun and active day on the water.

Adventure Guide To Paddleboarding on Cultus Lake

Cultus Lake Campground: This campground provides easy access to the lake, featuring a launch area specifically for paddleboards. The scenic views from the water are spectacular, with surrounding forests reflecting on the calm surface. The campground offers amenities such as picnic tables, restrooms, and fire pits, making it convenient for a full-day outing or a relaxing getaway.
Sparks Lake: Just a short paddle from Cultus Lake, Sparks Lake is known for its stunning sunsets and vibrant wildlife. This area is less crowded, allowing paddleboarders to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere while observing various bird species. Bring your camera to capture the breathtaking views and keep an eye out for otters and deer along the shore.
Paddleboarding Rentals: For those without their own gear, several local outfitters offer rental services in the Bend area. They provide everything from paddleboards to safety equipment. Many rental shops also offer guided tours, giving visitors insights into the best paddling routes and local flora and fauna.

Local Insights

Cultus Lake’s clear waters are fed by mountain springs, which means the water remains cool even in the summer months. The area also holds cultural significance to Native American tribes, who have long cherished these waters for fishing and recreation.

Visitor Tips

Best times to visit: Late spring to early fall is ideal for paddleboarding.
What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, swim gear, and binoculars for wildlife watching.
Driving directions: From Bend, take Highway 97 south, then drive east on Cultus Lake Road for approximately 45 minutes.

Enjoy the serenity and natural beauty while paddleboarding at Cultus Lake!

Adventure Map

Reviews

Greg Higgsa year ago

Mosquitos,mosquitos, and more mosquitos. We stayed at the boat-in campground on the west side, which was secluded and beautiful. After about 8 pm the sounds of nature were all we heard. The campsites are big offer more privacy than most. It's a pretty little lake and nice to paddle on, just too many bugs. We went through a whole bottle of deet and we were always in a swarm. The campground on the east side seemed much better, while launching and pulling out our boat we didn't notice mosquitos there.

jason keesee3 months ago

Probably the most helpful and kind camp host we have come across in years. We pulled up to a full campground (so the sign said) and decided to ask the camp host if there was anything available for the night. He jumped right into his golf cart and found us a spot, so we weren't driving the motorhome and boat in circles around the campground. This is a wonderful campground to stay at. Give it a go!

Ian Blevins5 months ago

I went to Cultus Lake on business and was on a sailboat mostly. The lodge has amazing food especially if you haven’t had a warm meal in a few days. The camp hosts Eric and Don are so nice and accommodating and went above and beyond to make us comfortable in the campgrounds. Bathrooms are mostly clean but there is no running showers or sinks to wash with. The lodge has flushing toilets but I would feel bad using them without getting something from the small store or restaurant. We were underprepared for dry tent camping and didn’t realize it was so far back to town. Overall it was alright. :)

Erik P2 years ago

Super pretty campsite. Went in mid June and there was hardly anyone camping there which was nice. Hardly any bugs, probably cause it was still wet and a little cold. No showers, not even at the nearby resort. Vault toilets. Water was shut off during our stay. Stayed at site 4, lots of space and well spaced between other sites. Verizon coverage was nearly non existent, occasionally got enough signal for notifications to come through but that’s it.

Brenda Ackersona year ago

It's beautiful! Campsites are spacious. This is more for boats and jet skis as it has waves that can be choppy. Water is very clear.