Big Lake West Campground

Pacific Northwest

BIG LAKE WEST CAMPGROUND in Pacific Northwest — photo 4

Big Lake West Campground

Pacific Northwest

About this campsite

Overview

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.

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

Facilities

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.

Natural Features

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.

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.

Location

BIG LAKE WEST CAMPGROUND•OR

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

MON🌤️

22° / 11°

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TODAY☀️

23° / 9°

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WED☀️

26° / 10°

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THU☀️

26° / 11°

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FRI☁️

19° / 6°

💧 19%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.1 km away

BIG LAKE

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.

6.9 km away

Lost Lake - Willamette (OR)

Overview Lost Lake Campground is adjacent to Highway 20 near the summit of Santiam Pass in the Willamette National Forest. This campground is not Lost Lake Resort in the Mt. Hood National Forest. This rustic campground is located on the west shore of shallow Lost Lake. The water level of the lake fluctuates seasonally and is quite low in summer with water loving willows crowding the marshy shallows of the lake. This is a popular spot during fishing and hunting seasons. This campground has 15 single campsites. Trailers are not recommended at this location. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and three single vault toilets. No drinking water is available. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly. Nearby Attractions Lost Lake, Big Lake Day Use and Trail areas, Sand Mountain Lookout, Big Lake and Big Lake West Campgrounds, Mt Washington Wilderness, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.

8.5 km away

Cold Water Cove - Willamette NF (OR)

Overview This campground provides 34 campsites, 31 singles and 3 double, that accommodate vehicles 18 to 50 feet in length depending on site. No sites are directly on the shoreline of the lake, but several offer views of the lake. Drinking water is available at two handpumps, one in the campground and one in the boat launch area. There are four double vault toilets shared by both sites. The boat launch area includes a boat launch for canoes or small non-motorized crafts (no motors are allowed on the lake), a small fish cleaning station, and a picnic site. There is also an extra vehicle, or overflow, parking area. *Extra Vehicle Fees for campers & Day Use/Boat Launch Fee for non-campers/day users. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly. Cold Water Cove Campground offers stunning views of turquoise-colored Clear Lake and 3,000-year-old lava fields, making it an ideal location. On clear days, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Three Sisters and Mount Washington. Fishing, hiking, canoeing and boating are popular activities. The campground sits at the south end of the lake at an elevation of 3,100 feet. A mix of maple, alder and Douglas fir trees cover the area. Some sites have limited views of the lake, and all sites have privacy from neighboring campers. Cold Water Cove sits in the midsection of the Cascades mountain range. This campground offers both reservable and FCFS campsites. Scan and Pay might be offered at this campground; It is recommended that you pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with FCFS payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. If no Scan & Pay option is available you must pay via cash or check. Reservation 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 Clear Lake is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and row boats. Anglers cast for brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Power boating is not permitted, which makes for calm waters. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station are located in the campground. Boat rentals are available at nearby Clear Lake Resort. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail passes through the campground and runs along Clear Lake. The trail stretches 26 miles and is open to hikers and mountain bikers. Facilities The campground offers single and double-family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, trash collection and drinking water are provided. No hookups are available. There is a restaurant/lodge located nearby at Clear Lake Resort. Natural Features Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917. Nearby Attractions Nearby attractions include: Clear Lake for fishing, non-motorized rowboat use and hiking. Rowboats and Kayaks are available to rent at nearby Clear Lake Resort. Clear Lake is the head waters for the McKenzie River, and is renowned for its cold, clear water and preserved grove of underwater trees. The McKenzie River National Scenic Trail is on one side of Clear Lake, and a connecting trail offers a loop hiking trail opportunity around the lake. Trails also connect the campground to short hikes to Sahalie and Koosah Falls, spectacular waterfalls located within a mile of the campground. Also, close in proximity, is the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway and Mt. Washington Wilderness.

9.9 km away

ICE CAP CAMPGROUND

Overview There are 21 campsites, 9 of which are walk-in tent only sites; the remaining sites can accommodate trailers up to 20 feet in length. There is 1 picnic site located immediately inside the entrance, on the right, up on a rise. There are two double vault toilets in the center of the campground; they are wheelchair accessible. This campground has both reservable and FCFS sites. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly. Scan and Pay might be offered at this campground; It is recommended that you pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with FCFS payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. If no Scan & Pay option is available you must pay via cash or check. 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 The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail is a hiking and biking destination. The McKenzie Wild & Scenic River is well known for boating and fishing as are Carmen Reservoir, Fish Lake and Clear Lake. There is a 3 mile loop trail to Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls. Facilities Ice Cap offers 22 campsites with 9 that are walk-in tent sites. The other 13 can accommodate either tents or RVs. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are vault toilets. There may or may not be a host onsite. Natural Features Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917. Nearby Attractions McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail (hiking and mountain biking destination), the McKenzie Wild & Scenic River for boating and fishing, Carmen Reservoir for boating and fishing, Sahalie and Koosah Falls and the 3-mile waterfalls loop trail. This area of the Willamette National Forest is a destination spot for hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports. A boat ramp and lake access are within one mile, and hot springs, river access and a non-motorized boat ramp are within ten miles. Visitors also enjoy the views along the National Scenic Byway.

10.5 km away

FISH LAKE REMOUNT DEPOT CABINS

Overview The Fish Lake Remount Depot Cabins sit at an altitude of 3,200 feet near the Santiam Pass Winter Recreation Area of the Willamette National Forest. These cabins were built in 1924 and are rustic, historic wood structures that include a dispatcher's cabin, a springhouse shed, a garage/woodshed and a fire hose shelter. The commissary cabin and a supervisor's cabin, known as the Hall House, are available as rentals either separately or together. The compound was once used to house firefighters and corral horses. It is still used as a rest and resupply station by the Forest Service horse packer heading in and out of Wilderness areas. Guests must walk, cross-country ski or snowshoe approximately one mile to access the cabins from Lava Lake Sno-Park. Recreation Seven Sno-Parks are within the Santiam Pass Recreation Area, a 15-minute drive from the the cabins, including Lava Lake Sno-Park and Ray Benson Sno-Park. These Sno-Parks offer access to both motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities. Facilities Two cabins are available for rental at this site from winter through early spring. The Hall House is a 3-room cabin featuring 1 bedroom, a shared common room with a hideaway bed, and a kitchen. The Commissary Cabin features a bedroom and kitchen. Both cabins have the same amenities, which include a full-size bed with mattress, table with chairs, sofa, propane heating and cooking stoves, solar-powered lighting, basic cookware and kitchen utensils. An outhouse with pit toilet is located nearby. Neither cabin has water or electricity. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving. Natural Features The compound is accessed by a trail that traverses through dense evergreen forest. From the cabins, guests can enjoy the view of Fish Lake and its forested shoreline. The lake is shallow in winter, but will dry up and turn into meadow in the late summer. Willamette National Forest offers prime habitat for such species as Roosevelt elk, black bear, bald eagles, black tail deer and bobcats, among other wildlife. Nearby Attractions