So if your into canoe and kayaking or just laying on the beach, then Sparks Lake is the place to be. Within a 45 minute drive of Bend, Sparks Lake offers clear shallow waters with great views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. I was up there just the other day and paddled my canoe around the lake with my friend for hours. We launched the boat and loaded it up with all the food and beverages of choice. Along the way we encountered ducks and other various birds. The lake is very volcanic in its landscape with unique lava formations all along the lake shore. There are also many coves that jut out from the lake down long winding passages that are fun to explore. In these coves we decided to chill along the shore on a nice sandy beach spot and had some lunch. As we sat there we watched as many trout jump out of the water as they had some lunch as well.
This was a really good day at the lake and I would definitely do it again. If you would like to check it out, I would suggest giving yourself 
at least a couple hours to paddle around and explore the small lake in the shadow of the Cascades. Have a great day!
