Oregon · Camping · Near Sisters

Big Lake

June 17
season: May–Oct
best months

Is Big Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Big Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.

Cedar Creek Fire Closure
Agency closure covering Willamette National Forest · Order 06-18-10-26-04 · USFS · Willamette National Forest
FIRE CLOSURES: Current wildfire closures on the Willamette National Forest
Agency alert covering Willamette National Forest · USFS · Willamette National Forest

As of Nov 4, 8:05 AM PST · Source: USFS · Willamette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

At 4,681 ft
McKenzie River Ranger DistrictWillamette National Forest

Big Lake Campground sits on the western shore of Big Lake at the top of Santiam Pass in Oregon's Willamette National Forest, within the McKenzie River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the campground is a hub of summer activity, with 49 sites for tent or RV camping. Vault toilets and a boat ramp are on site, and drinking water is available. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction show July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F, and the station sits about 900 feet lower than the lake, so temperatures at the lake run cooler. The campground is adjacent to the Santiam Pass Motorized Recreation Area and draws both motorized and non-motorized boaters. The Patjens Lakes Trail offers easy access to the Mt. Washington Wilderness. Big Lake West Campground is about half a mile away, and Lost Lake is roughly 4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip

Sleep close
Big Lake
Campground
Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
Eat after
Hoodoo Mountain Resort
Restaurant
On your way back · 2 mi
If it rains
Kiwanis club
Attraction
In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

Local outfitters

Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters20 mi away
Patio RV Park21 mi away

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Big Lake
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
1. Jan
  38° / 24°
2. Feb
  41° / 24°
3. Mar
  44° / 26°
4. Apr
  49° / 29°
5. May
  58° / 35°
6. Jun
  65° / 38°
7. Jul
  76° / 42°
8. Aug
  76° / 42°
9. Sep
  69° / 39°
10. Oct
  56° / 33°
11. Nov
  42° / 28°
12. Dec
  36° / 23°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santiam Junction, OR, 5.3 mi away at 3,750 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.