Big River
Big River Campground is located along the Deschutes River south of the town of Sunriver. Large, open group sites offer a perfect setting for family reunions or group gatherings.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
13 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Pull-through | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Standard | Pull-through | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Standard | Pull-through | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation. |
Big River Campground offers three group sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping and 10 single sites. The sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills and vault toilets. A boat launch is located across the road and provides access to the waterfront.
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. |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations and additional site information can be found through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Single Campsite Rate: $23/night. Group Site (A,B,C): $126/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 40 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bend travel south on Hwy. 97 for about 17 miles, then make a right onto Vandervert Road. Make a left onto S. Century Dr. then another right to stay on S Century Dr. Follow S Century Dr. / NF-4205, then make a right onto Bonanza Lane, and another right to stay on Bonanza which will lead you into the campground.
| Nearest town | Bend, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.8183° N, 121.4986° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
10 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 ↗ | 16.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 18.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 19.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Spotlight on Campgrounds, Big River Campground
Worth a stop
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 12 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 25 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls. Big River Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor.
- 10.4 mi
- 11.7 miAspen Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 13.4 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.8 miSkyliners Sno-Park/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 4.6 miSwan Song1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miFall River3.3 mi trail · hiking
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 Deschutes National Forest.
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
- 9.7 miWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 13.4 miThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 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
- Ed and Genevieve Deedon HomesteadBuilding · La Pine · 7.1 mi
- Paulina Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 13.3 mi
- I.O.O.F. Organization Camp, Paulina LakeHistoric district · LaPine · 14.3 mi
Natural features
Nearby peaks, lava flows and Ponderosa pine stands provide visitors with a variety of landscapes, showcasing ecosystems typical of central Oregon. The Deschutes River, a tributary of the Columbia River, is central to the campground. The river flows through areas of ponderosa and aspen, with its shoreline varying from marshy meadows to basalt bedrock. Flows fluctuate less on this part of the river because of tributaries, and the river features many deep pools, a relatively stable bank and rocky in-stream structure. Wildlife found in the area include deer, elk, native fish and migratory birds.
Recreation
Popular activities in the area include hiking, fishing and rafting in the summer months and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Big River provides the perfect place to launch a canoe or kayak into the Deschutes River. Only non-motorized boating is permitted on the river, and the water is Class II flatwater for about 6 miles below Sunriver. The Deschutes River is renowned for its fly fishing, and sustains populations of kokanee, rainbow, bull and brown trout. Boat fishing or drift fishing is the best way to catch fish at this part of the river.
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 River?
Sites at Big River are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations and additional site information can be found through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big River?
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big River?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big River open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big River have?
13 sites, including 10 standard sites without power and 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big River?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Big River?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big River. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big River?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Big River?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, 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 River?
Popular activities in the area include hiking, fishing and rafting in the summer months and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big River?
Bend, Oregon. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
Source: Getting there
What if Big River is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Fall River Campground (6.8 mi), Pringle Falls Campground (7.1 mi), and Ogden Group (7.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby