Big Lake
Campground · Oregon · 48 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Willamette National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 48
- Bookable sites
- 78 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 4,679 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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. 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 facts
- Season: May – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 48 bookable sites
- 56 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 78 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: A LOOP, AREA BIG LAKE, B LOOP, S&P
Site types
- 46 Standard Nonelectric
- 8 Management
- 2 Tent Only Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, grills.
56 campsites at Big Lake
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 32 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 33 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | — | — | — | 26 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Severe | — | — | 15 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Severe | — | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 21 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 49 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 41 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 49 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | A LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | Lakefront | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 024 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | Lakefront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | Lakefront | 35 ft | 8 | |
| 028 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 37 ft | — | 🐾 |
| 031 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | Back In | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 032 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 23 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 034 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 034 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 035 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 035 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 036 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 036 | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 037 | AREA BIG LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Walk In | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 038 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 039 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 32 ft | 8 | |
| 040 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 22 ft | — | |
| 041 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 50 ft | — | 🐾 |
| 042 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 043 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | Lakefront | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 044 | AREA BIG LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | — | 23 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 045 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Drive In | Lakefront | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 046 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 047 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 28 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 048 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 049 | AREA BIG LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| XXX | AREA BIG LAKE | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 22 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | — | — | 18 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 37 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | — | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | Lakefront | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | B LOOP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | — | 78 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| Standard S&P | S&P | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
44.37750, -121.87083 · 44°22'39.0"N 121°52'15.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 12.0 | 8.0 | 8.9 | 6.6 | 4.6 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 6.4 | 11.3 | 12.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Big Lake
- Can you reserve a site at Big Lake?
- Yes, Big Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Big Lake have?
- 56 sites in total, of which 48 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Big Lake?
- 78 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Big Lake?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Big Lake.
- Does Big Lake have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Big Lake?
- Campfires are allowed at Big Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Big Lake also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Big Lake's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Campsites - $28 per night Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night Day Use - $9 per vehicle, per day
Restrictions:
- OHV use in the campground is strictly prohibited for any purpose other than entering or leaving the campground. Regulations for the Santiam Pass Summer Motorized Recreation Area .
- Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period.
- Check-in time: 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time: 1:00 pm
- Use of chainsaws in the campground is prohibited
- Dogs MUST be on leash at all times within the campground
Camping near Big Lake
- Big Lake West Campground 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lost Lake - Willamette (OR) 4.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cold Water Cove - Willamette NF (OR) 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Link Creek 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Scout Lake 6.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ice Cap Campground 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fish Lake Remount Depot Cabins 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Shore 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Blue Bay 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Winter Recreation Area: Santiam Pass (Hwy 20) 1.9 mi · Facility
- Lava Lake Campground 9.1 mi · Campground
- Lakes End Campground 9.3 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 801-226-3564
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-21.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments