In the background from left to right are South Sister, Broken Top and hidden behind the trees is Mt Bachelor.

Lava Lake lies in the Cascade Range about 25 miles (40 km) west-southwest of Bend in Oregon. It is a close neighbor of Little Lava Lake, from which it is separated by solidified lava. Lava Lake is at an elevation of 4,740 feet (1,440 m) in the Deschutes National Forest. The lake covers 368 acres (149 ha) to an average depth of 20 feet (6.1 m).

Lava Lake, Little Lava Lake, and other nearby lakes were formed after lava flows from Mount Bachelor altered drainage patterns in the area. Solidified lava flows are visible along the shorelines of both lakes, and the volcanic peaks Broken Top and South Sister can be seen to the north.