Little Lava Lake

A pretty lake a short hike from Lava Lake in Deschutes National Forest.

Lake Name: Little Lava Lake

Lake Coordinates:

Lake Elevation:

Access: Trail

Distance: 0.82 miles (round trip)

Elevation Range: 4728' to 4764'

Ascent/Descent: +7 ft / -7 ft

Trail Type: In and out

Trails: Edison Lava Trail #31

Outing Type: Day hike

Note: I hiked to the edge of this lake using a section of the Edison Lava Trail #31 from the Lava Lake Boat Launch since the Little Lava Lake Campground was closed due to fire closures.

Location: Near FS 4600-500 in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A.

Administration: Deschutes National Forest

Date Accessed: September 23, 2022

Start of trail at parking lot

The campground that can be used to access this lake was closed due to fire closure. The cut off road to this lake was completely blocked off. So I took a trail that started by Lava Lake and went to the edge of Little Lava Lake.

Trail

I wasn’t sure if the trail was effected by the fire closure. So I decided I would just hiked to the shore and then back. I struggled to find the trailhead because there were so many random trails criss crossing near the start. I finally figured it out with the help of my map got on the right trail. Overall the trail was pretty flat and visible. It was a beautiful sunny day and since I was the only person out there it was incredibly quiet. I really enjoyed this short hike.

Split in trail, stay left

I hiked until I reached the lake edge and then followed along it until I found a place I could access the shore. There were dragon flys flying about and birds out. The water was pretty but there was an algae bloom at this lake that was visible. It was stinky, but the water was still very pretty. It had an emerald green hue to it. I sat for a few minutes just taking it all in. Then I hiked back out.

Trail

I'd love to come back to this lake when the campground is accessible and kayak on this lake. The water is beautiful and the pictures I discovered online after my hike were incredible.

Coordinates

• Trailhead: 43.91440, -121.76479

• Trail splits: 43.91424, -121.76382

• View of lake; 43.91368, -121.76151

• Trail cutoff to lakes edge: 43.91565, -121.76035

• Lakes edge (great view): 43.91545, -121.76027

Resources

How to get there (from Bend, OR)

Map

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