U.S. Forest Service · Willamette National Forest · OR

Big Lake

BIG LAKEPhoto · U.S. Forest Service
OpenSeason 05-01 – 09-30
ReservableAccess
56Sites
78 ftMax rig

The place

This campground provides 49 single campsites. There are both reservable and FCFS sites. The original campsites within Big Lake are in two loops, (sites #1-14 and #15-20) which have eight or so sites with frontage on the lake shore. In 1992 additional campsites were opened (sites #21-49) on a long straight stretch from the boat launch towards Big Lake West. These sites have larger and wider parking spurs, and most sites use stairs to access the table, fire rings and tent pad below the parking spur. Sites can accommodate trailers up to 35 feet in length, depending on site. Keep reading

Drinking water is provided by a water system, built in 1993, which serves the entire Big Lake complex by filtering water drawn from the lake and distributing it to the campgrounds. There are three single vault toilets, and two double vault toilets in the campground. The extra vehicle parking area consists of a boat launch, picnic area, and parking for approximately 15 vehicles and boat trailers. All of these day use facilities are located in the middle of the campground, between the original loops and the "expansion" campsites. *Day Use Fee for day users/boat launch. Extra Vehicle Fee for campers with more than 1 vehicle. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly. If paying for FCFS sites with a Credit Card, a Remote Offline Kiosk (ROK) is offered at this campground. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with ROK payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. This system does not show site availability and you must check that the site is available prior to making payment. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777. Recreation Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. The trail follows the western side of Big Lake, heads south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, passes alongside the scenic Patjens Lakes, and then loops back to the campground. Facilities Big Lake Campground offers 49 spacious campsites for tent or RV camping. Drinking water, vault toilets and a boat ramp are provided. Natural Features Nearby Attractions The major activities in the Big Lake area revolve around motorized use. Boats frequent the lake and off highway vehicles (OHVs) us the adjacent Santiam Pass Motorized Recreation Area. Other attractions include Mt. Washington Wilderness and associated access trails, historic Santiam Wagon Road, McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway, Pacific Crest Trail, and Sand Mountain Lookout. Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. The trail follows the western side of Big Lake, heads south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, passes alongside the scenic Patjens Lakes, and then loops back to the campground. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.

The sites · 56

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
A LOOP001standard nonelectric20 ft
A LOOP002standard nonelectric32 ft
A LOOP003standard nonelectric33 ft
A LOOP004standard nonelectric25 ft
A LOOP005standard nonelectric28 ft
A LOOP006standard nonelectric26 ft
A LOOP007standard nonelectric60 ft
A LOOP008standard nonelectric15 ft
A LOOP009standard nonelectric18 ft
A LOOP010standard nonelectric21 ft
A LOOP011standard nonelectric49 ft
A LOOP012standard nonelectric41 ft
A LOOP013standard nonelectric49 ft
A LOOP014standard nonelectric36 ft
AREA BIG LAKE022standard nonelectric35 ft
AREA BIG LAKE023management
AREA BIG LAKE023standard nonelectric18 ft
AREA BIG LAKE024standard nonelectric20 ft
AREA BIG LAKE025standard nonelectric20 ft
AREA BIG LAKE026standard nonelectric20 ft
AREA BIG LAKE027standard nonelectric35 ft
AREA BIG LAKE028standard nonelectric45 ft
AREA BIG LAKE029standard nonelectric45 ft
AREA BIG LAKE030standard nonelectric37 ft
AREA BIG LAKE031management
AREA BIG LAKE032standard nonelectric25 ft
AREA BIG LAKE033standard nonelectric23 ft
AREA BIG LAKE033management
AREA BIG LAKE034management
AREA BIG LAKE034standard nonelectric18 ft
AREA BIG LAKE035standard nonelectric25 ft
AREA BIG LAKE035management
AREA BIG LAKE036management
AREA BIG LAKE036standard nonelectric20 ft
AREA BIG LAKE037tent only nonelectric20 ft
AREA BIG LAKE038standard nonelectric45 ft
AREA BIG LAKE039standard nonelectric32 ft
AREA BIG LAKE040standard nonelectric22 ft
AREA BIG LAKE041standard nonelectric50 ft
AREA BIG LAKE042standard nonelectric45 ft
AREA BIG LAKE043standard nonelectric25 ft
AREA BIG LAKE044tent only nonelectric23 ft
AREA BIG LAKE045standard nonelectric25 ft
AREA BIG LAKE046standard nonelectric25 ft
AREA BIG LAKE047standard nonelectric28 ft
AREA BIG LAKE048standard nonelectric45 ft
AREA BIG LAKE049standard nonelectric30 ft
AREA BIG LAKEXXXmanagement20 ft
B LOOP015standard nonelectric22 ft
B LOOP016standard nonelectric18 ft
B LOOP017standard nonelectric37 ft
B LOOP018standard nonelectric30 ft
B LOOP019standard nonelectric20 ft
B LOOP020standard nonelectric25 ft
B LOOP021standard nonelectric78 ft
S&PStandard S&Pmanagement30 ft

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Your representative

This campground sits in OR-05. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard