Big Lake

Summary

Big Lake Campground offers stunning vistas of Big Lake, with Mt. Washington in the backdrop, and provides excellent activities such as water skiing, sailing, swimming and hiking. The campground has 49 spacious campsites for tent or RV camping, with drinking water, vault toilets and a boat ramp provided. Many hiking and OHV trails are nearby, along with the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway.

Overview

Big Lake Campground sits at its namesake lake along Santiam Pass, a 4,800-foot mountain pass through the Cascade Range in western Oregon.

Campers enjoy views of the lake with the beautiful Mt. Washington as a backdrop.

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

Surrounded by Alpine fir, hemlock and lodge pole pine, the campground sits on the western side of the lake.

Big Lake, at elevation 4,600 feet, is in the Willamette National Forest, which spans 1.6 million acres on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains.

Nearby Attractions

Several hiking trails and OHV trails are in the area. Explore the Santiam Pass region on the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway that passes through 130 miles of lava fields, lakes and waterfalls.