Big Lake
This campground provides 49 single campsites. 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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 46 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 44 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
48 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 002 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 003 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 004 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 005 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 006 | A LOOP | Standard | 26 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | |||
| 007 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 1 | |||
| 008 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 009 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | ||
| 010 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Full | No / No | Lakefront | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 78 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Big Lake Campground offers 49 spacious campsites for tent or RV camping. Drinking water, vault toilets and a boat ramp are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to September |
| Forest | Willamette National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. Over half the campsites are available for advance reservation via recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Campsites - $28 per night. Multiple Campsite - $55 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night. Day Use - $9 per vehicle, per day |
| Rules | Regulations for the Santiam Pass Summer Motorized Recreation Area. OHV use in the campground is strictly prohibited for any purpose other than entering or leaving the campground. 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Eugene, Oregon, take I-105 east to McKenzie Highway 126. Travel east on 126 for 90 miles to Santiam Pass. At the top of the Pass, turn right onto the access road (sign says Hoodoo Ski Area, Big Lake Road, & Benson Sno-Park). Travel one mile to the fork in the road and stay left on Forest Service Road 2690.
| Coordinates | 44.3775° N, 121.8708° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- There are both reservable and FCFS sites.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
24 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
31 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedJunction Rx
35 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
36 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 33.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 34.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Big Lake Campground! | EPIC VIEWS of Mt. Washington! | Central O
Worth a stop
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.
- 6.6 miMckenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Trailhead
- 11.9 miOlallie Day Use ↗Day use
- 13 miBrowder Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #120.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 0.3 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #131 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.4 miTrail #3 - Big Lake1.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miTrail #2 -Cross District Trail1.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #140.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.5 miPatjens Lake Loop ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.5 miPatjens Lake Loop Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 0.8 miPacific Crest Trailhead at Big Lake ↗Willamette National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Mount Washington Wilderness, which overlaps Willamette National Forest.
- inMount Washington Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 54,406 acres
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 7.5 miMount Jefferson Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 109,098 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Santiam Pass Ski LodgeBuilding · Sisters · 3.1 mi
- Camp Sherman Community HallBuilding · Camp Sherman · 11.8 mi
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.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Lake?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Lake?
Single Campsites - $28 per night. Multiple Campsite - $55 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Lake have?
56 sites, including 46 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Lake?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Big Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Regulations for the Santiam Pass Summer Motorized Recreation Area.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Big Lake?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Big Lake?
Water skiing, sailing and swimming are among the favorite activities at the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Lake West Campground (0.7 mi), Lost Lake - Willamette (4.2 mi), and Cold Water Cove (5.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby