Openings · last 7 days
3
Availability is not tracked here yet
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Big Lake. That is a gap in what Campsite Sniper tracks — it does not mean the facility is full, closed, or unavailable. Recreation.gov may well be showing open dates right now.
The site details and map below come from the public Recreation.gov record and are accurate. For current dates and to book, go to Recreation.gov.
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 3 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-232287
When Big Lake reopens
Big Lake's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
61
Openings · last 90 days
191
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dTuesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 59 of 191 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Tuesday (30.9%), with Monday (45) and Wednesday (25) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 09:00 and 13:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 53 of 191 detected openings (27.7%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Pacific Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 8 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 4–13 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 013 | 20 | 10.5% |
| 012 | 20 | 10.5% |
| 011 | 18 | 9.4% |
| 014 | 17 | 8.9% |
| 021 | 14 | 7.3% |
Site 013 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 20. One free watch covers every site here.
About 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.
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.
48 monitored sites13 FCFS sitesRVs up to 78 ftNo hookups27 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 8
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. Continue for 2 miles to the entrance to Big Lake Campground on the left.
Mckenzie Ranger Station, 57600 Mckenzie Hwy., Blue River, Or 97413, OR801-226-3564
BikingBoatingHikingNon-Motorized BoatingOff Highway VehicleSwimmingWater Skiing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
02 · Field Photos · roll CS-232287 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-232287 · Big Lake · OR12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Big Lake?
Online reservations for this facility, where offered, are made through Recreation.gov. Campsite Sniper has also detected 191 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Big Lake, so there is nothing to date here. That is a gap in coverage — it does not mean the facility is full or closed. Check Recreation.gov for current dates.
How often do new openings appear at Big Lake?
Campsite Sniper detected 3 site-date openings at Big Lake in the last 7 days, 61 over 30 days and 191 over the last 90.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Big Lake?
Tuesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 59 of 191 (30.9%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Which sites at Big Lake fit a 35-foot RV?
16 of the 41 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 78 ft.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Big Lake?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 8 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 4-13 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
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