Overview
Todd Lake sits at 6,151 feet in the Deschutes National Forest, tucked between the Cascade Lakes Highway and the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness. A short walk from the trailhead puts you at the lakeshore with Broken Top's jagged north face rising directly above and South Sister visible through the trees to the west. The lake is small and calm, the kind of place you come to sit and eat lunch rather than push miles.
The hike itself is about a half mile to the lake, making the round trip just over a mile. A use trail circles most of the lake, adding another 0.6 miles if you want to complete a loop around the water. Total time out and back, including time to explore the shoreline, is typically 60 to 90 minutes for most people. This is not a destination that demands athletic effort. It rewards the people who want alpine scenery without earning it the hard way.
What Todd Lake offers over the more famous trailheads nearby is quiet. Green Lakes and the South Sister summit trail are among the most heavily used corridors in the Central Cascades. Todd Lake draws far fewer hikers, even on summer weekends. The parking lot is small and the trail is short, which naturally limits the crowd size. If you've had enough of fighting for trailhead parking, this is where you go.
The Route
Miles 0 to 0.5: Trailhead to the lake. The trail begins at the small gravel parking area and drops gently through a lodgepole pine forest. The grade is minimal throughout, with one modest rise in the first quarter mile before the trail levels out near the lakeshore. The path is well-worn and easy to follow. A few exposed roots cross the trail in the first section, worth noting for anyone hiking with young children or dogs.
The lake appears after roughly a half mile. The view from the approach is already good: Broken Top's north face sits directly above the water, its fractured volcanic rock exposed in bands of rust, orange, and gray. The contrast between the calm water and the shattered peak above is one of the more striking scenes you'll find on a short, easy trail in Oregon.
Lakeshore exploration (optional, approximately 0.6 miles). A use trail circles most of the lake. The eastern shore offers the best views of Broken Top. The southern shore provides a different angle on South Sister, which rises to the southwest. The trail around the lake is informal and in places wet or muddy in early season. No bridges span the inlet streams. Choose your route based on conditions.
Return: Retrace the half mile back to the parking area, or complete the lake loop and return from whichever direction you came.
Dispersed Camping
Todd Lake is one of the few places on the Cascade Lakes corridor where dispersed camping is allowed near the water. There are no designated campsites, but established use areas exist around the lake in the trees back from the shore. Camp at least 100 feet from the water.
Campfire rules: Campfires are frequently prohibited throughout the Deschutes National Forest during summer fire danger periods, which typically run from mid-June through late October. Do not assume campfires are allowed. Check current restrictions through the Deschutes National Forest website or at the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District office before arriving. Bring a backpacking stove for cooking.
There are no facilities at the dispersed camping areas. Pack out everything, including food waste and human waste. A WAG bag or similar system is appropriate here; catholes are acceptable if you're 200 feet from water and 6 to 8 inches deep.
The small trailhead parking lot is not suitable for large RVs or trailers. Campers arriving by vehicle should note the lot fills on summer weekends.
Permit Requirements
No permit is required to hike or camp at Todd Lake. A Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year) is required for trailhead parking. The America the Beautiful Pass also covers the parking fee. You can self-pay at the trailhead kiosk or purchase in advance at local outdoor retailers and online.
Note: the Three Sisters Wilderness begins just beyond Todd Lake. If you plan to continue into the wilderness from the lake, no additional permit is required for day hiking, but overnight wilderness camping requires following Leave No Trace principles and is subject to the same campfire restrictions. Hikers entering the wilderness for longer day hikes from this access point are within range of the Tumalo Falls trail system for a completely different character: waterfalls and shady creek corridor rather than open alpine terrain.
When to Hike
July through October is the reliable window. The spur road to the Todd Lake parking area typically opens by late June or early July, following snowmelt. The Cascade Lakes Highway itself opens earlier, but the side road may hold snow longer. Check road conditions through the Deschutes National Forest or the Oregon Department of Transportation before a June attempt.
July and August offer the warmest temperatures and snow-free trail conditions. The lake is calm in early morning and often has excellent reflections of Broken Top. Mosquitoes are present through mid-August, especially near the water.
September is the best month for this hike. The crowds are gone, the bugs are largely gone, and the light in September flatters the lake and the peak above it. Temperatures are comfortable for hiking, generally in the 50s and low 60s during the day at this elevation. The trail stays dry and the lakeshore is at its most peaceful.
October is possible but weather-dependent. Snow can arrive at this elevation by mid-October, and the Cascade Lakes Highway closes for winter at some point in fall. Check conditions before committing to an October trip.
What to Bring
The easy difficulty and short distance can encourage under-packing. The elevation is still over 6,000 feet and the weather can change.
- Water: Carry at least a liter per person. The lake water can be filtered, but the short distance means you should just bring enough from the trailhead.
- Layers: Morning temperatures at Todd Lake are cool even in August. A light jacket is worth having even if you expect a warm afternoon.
- Bug spray: Mosquitoes near the lakeshore are active from late June through mid-August. Bring repellent for a more pleasant experience at the water.
- Sun protection: The lakeshore is open and reflective. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are standard.
- Camera: The Broken Top reflection in the lake on a calm morning is worth the trip on its own. Arrive early for the best light and the smoothest water surface.
Dogs are welcome on leash. The trail is manageable for most dogs. Keep them leashed near the water and around the lakeshore to avoid disturbing other hikers and the wetland edge.
Trailhead Access
From Bend, take the Cascade Lakes Highway (Century Drive, also signed as Highway 46) west for approximately 24 miles. Watch for the signed Todd Lake spur road on the right (north) side of the highway. The spur is a short unpaved road, less than a mile, leading to the small gravel parking area. The road is passable for standard passenger vehicles in summer. High-clearance vehicles are not required, but the road is rough in spots.
The Cascade Lakes Highway is paved, scenic, and well-maintained during the summer season. It closes for winter (typically November through late May) and is not plowed. For a full overview of what the Deschutes National Forest offers along this corridor, including campgrounds, trailheads, and the Newberry Caldera area to the east, the forest guide covers the complete picture.
No restrooms are available at the Todd Lake trailhead. The nearest facilities are at nearby Sparks Lake or the Elk Lake Resort farther down the highway.
The drive from downtown Bend takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes. The Cascade Lakes Highway is one of the more scenic drives in Oregon, and the Todd Lake turnoff is easy to miss at highway speed. Slow down and watch for the sign on the right side of the road.