Big Lake West Campground
Big Lake West Campground offers sites located on the shores of Big Lake, situated at the top of the Santiam Pass. Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are numerous and range from off-highway vehicle exploring, boating, swimming and hiking. There are 11 tent only double campsites. There is one single and one double vault toilet. Drinking water is available through the system shared with Big Lake Campground. There are no parking spurs; vehicles must park along the road's edge. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. All sites are by reservation. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · tent only in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 11 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 40 | Paved | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 002 | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | 40 | Paved | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 005 | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 006 | 40 | Paved | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 007 | 40 | Paved | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 008 | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 009 | 40 | Paved | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 010 | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 12 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
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
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This tent only campground has vault toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp and swimming area. Ice and firewood are also available. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Eugene, Oregon, take I-105 east to McKenzie Highway 126. Travel east on Hwy 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 | 44.3722° N, 121.8827° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
23 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
32 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 ↗ | 33.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 34.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 34.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Lake West Campground - Willamette National Forest, OR
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.
- 6.1 miMckenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Trailhead
- 11.2 miOlallie Day Use ↗Day use
- 12.4 miBrowder Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miPatjens Lake Loop ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.5 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #131 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.7 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #181.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.7 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #140.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.8 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #120.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 0.8 miSantiam Pass OHV ATV Trail #191 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miPatjens Lake Loop Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 1.4 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
- 7.9 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 · 3.6 mi
- Camp Sherman Community HallBuilding · Camp Sherman · 12.5 mi
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 West Campground?
Sites at Big Lake West Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Lake West Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Big Lake West Campground have?
12 sites, including 11 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Lake West Campground?
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 Lake West Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Lake West Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Lake West Campground?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Big Lake West Campground?
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 if Big Lake West Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Lake (0.7 mi, partly first-come), Lost Lake - Willamette (4.3 mi), and Cold Water Cove (5.3 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby