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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.______ Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay 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.____ 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.
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.
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.
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.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
$28 / night
Waldo Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It offers a uniquely peaceful setting on the water and along remote shorelines, surrounded by forests of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. Recreation in the area is abundant with the lake an ideal location for water activities like sailing, canoeing and swimming.
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 20 miles of trail for hiking and biking. Bikes are allowed on the trails, but not in the nearby Waldo Lake Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail and North Waldo is also a popular starting point for many wilderness trails and lakes, most notably the Rigdon, Wahanna and Torrey Lakes. There is a 1-mile Shoreline Trail between North Waldo Campground and Islet Campground which provides a short and pleasant hike along the lakeshore.
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 20 miles of trail for hiking and biking. Bikes are allowed on the trails, but not in the nearby Waldo Lake Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail and North Waldo is also a popular starting point for many wilderness trails and lakes, most notably the Rigdon, Wahanna and Torrey Lakes. There is a 1-mile Shoreline Trail between North Waldo Campground and Islet Campground which provides a short and pleasant hike along the lakeshore.
Situated high on the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades at 5,400 feet in elevation, Waldo Lake is one of the purest lakes in Oregon (9.8 square miles with a maximum depth of 427 feet). It has no permanent inlet to bring nutrients into the lake for plant growth. The lack of plant life contributes to its purity, allowing you to see to depths of 120 feet on a calm day.
$27 - $40 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
$5 / night
Horse Creek Group Campground is located on the banks of Horse Creek. The rushing water and tall Douglas fir trees offer a cool, shady spot to enjoy the outdoors. A picnic area offers a great spot for grilling and group gatherings.
Fishing in Horse Creek is an enjoyable pastime. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trailhead is nearby, offering fun-filled hiking and biking opportunities. The 26-mile trail boasts wonderful scenery along the river, and is an easy hike for all ages. There are also numerous developed boat launches that provide access to the McKenzie River.
Fishing in Horse Creek is an enjoyable pastime. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trailhead is nearby, offering fun-filled hiking and biking opportunities. The 26-mile trail boasts wonderful scenery along the river, and is an easy hike for all ages. There are also numerous developed boat launches that provide access to the McKenzie River.
The campground sits along Horse Creek among Douglas fir and Western Red Cedar. The creek flows into the McKenzie River, a 90-mile tributary that transports snowmelt from the Cascade Range to the Willamette Valley. Set along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, gorgeous, lush mountain landscapes are found in every direction.
Cougar Reservoir is about 10 miles southwest and boasts excellent boating opportunities.
$75 / night
Located eleven miles west of Sisters, Oregon, off Highway 242, Whispering Pine Horse Camp provides early season access to trails and is perfect for horse lovers who are visiting nearby friends. This rustic nine site horse camp offers great riding opportunities and trail access to the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.
This campground offers many opportunities for horseback riding or hiking with the many trails nearby. The pine forest provides shade as well as the chance to go bird or nature watching.
This campground offers many opportunities for horseback riding or hiking with the many trails nearby. The pine forest provides shade as well as the chance to go bird or nature watching.
Whispering Pine Horse Camp is nestled below a thick ponderosa pine forest mixed with birch in the wet areas. The pines provide nice shade and the chance to enjoy the quiet of nature.
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, such as well as the nearby Camp Sherman RV Park as well as the Windigo Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$21 - $23 / night
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high speed motorized water craft. Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Campers have the option to launch their boat from a walk-in boat launch located within the campground or the more developed boat launch located within the day use area.
Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Campers have the option to launch their boat from a walk-in boat launch located within the campground or the more developed boat launch located within the day use area.
Cultus Lake Campground is located on the shore of Cultus Lake just a few miles off the Cascade Lakes Highway. The campground offers visitors access to boating on Cultus Lake, hiking in the Three Sisters Wilderness and exploring the rich volcanic hisotry of Central Oregon's Cascades.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$30 - $32 / night
Although located away from the lake, this small horse camp offers a quiet camping opportunity for equestrians away from the busy North Waldo and Islet Campgrounds. Ride opportunities include: * The Harralson Trail (#4364), which connects the camp with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (#2000) * The Jim Weaver Loop (Waldo Lake Trail #3590), which connects with trails in the Waldo Lake and Three Sisters Wildernesses. Note that there no equestrian improvements (corrals and hitching posts), as well as no water on site, so plan your visit accordingly. Picnic tables and fire rings are available. Drinking water can be obtained at North Waldo Campground and horses can be watered near the campground off of the Waldo Lake Trail (#3590). Please note that stock is not allowed in any of the Waldo Lake developed camps. Harralson is a good staging area for those wanting to explore the trails in or around the Three Sisters and Waldo Lake Wilderness areas. The trail around Waldo Lake is another nice ride, but be aware that stock is not allowed in any of the Waldo Lake campgrounds.
Driftwood Campground is the first of four facilities located on Three Creeks Lake and provides campers with beautiful views of the water and surrounding nature.
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
All sites in this campground fall on the lakeside providing campers with wonderful views of adjacent Three Creeks Lake. Located in a glacial cirque below Tam McArthur Rim, the lake is 28-acre alpine gem with an elevation of 6,550 ft. surrounded by old growth forest. The outlet stream from the lake flows northward and is joined by two other streams to form Three Creek. The shoreline of Three Creek Lake varies from gentle slope to rocky cliff. Maximum depth is 28 feet down the center and near the cliff on the south end of the lake.
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Many enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. To the north the Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$19 - $21 / night
Three Creeks Meadow Horse Camp is one of four facilities located near Three Creeks Lake and the designated horse camp for the Three Creeks area. Located on the edge of a large meadow it provides campers with beautiful views of the nearby water and surrounding nature.
Neighboring Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Neighboring Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Named for the adjacent Three Creeks Lake, this campground is just a short drive from the water with wonderful views of lake and surrounding area. Located in a glacial cirque below Tam McArthur Rim, the lake is 28-acre alpine gem with an elevation of 6,550 ft. surrounded by old growth forest. The outlet stream from the lake flows northward and is joined by two other streams to form Three Creek. The shoreline of Three Creek Lake varies from gentle slope to rocky cliff. Maximum depth is 28 feet down the center and near the cliff on the south end of the lake.
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Many enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. To the north the Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$19 - $21 / night
$6 / night
The Views surpass anything negative I could say. The location is ideal, we escaped the summer heat, at our site it was about 15 degrees cooler than Sisters temps. The Host who was a Forest Service Employee was wonderful, sites are fairly close together, I would bring a large sheet potentially next time to keep from looking straight into neighbors camps. The bugs were bad in the evening at the water, but not terrible during the day. Bring lots of big spray. The lake is serene, even with boater activity there was plenty of room for my kids to very safely swim. They do not sell firewood at the campground so if you are visiting when fires are allowed bring your own wood. We will for sure return!
The lake is beautiful, although unfortunately not too shaded during the day due to the wild fires. I only spent a night here and it did the job. Bring bug spray, the bugs are outrageous. This is also not a quite campground. Neighbors are close and you can hear the people on the lake, but that’s to be expected.
I was planning to potentially camp here but it seems that facilities were damaged in the 2020 fires and they will not be re-established
https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/151kto5/shellburg\_falls\_santiam\_state\_forest\_oregon/
The site we stayed had had plenty of privacy and lake front access. The lake is very shallow so it was kid friendly.
Spent two nights here celebrating a friends birthday party. The weather was a little too cold/windy to enjoy the lake, but the campground is clean and well kept. Fellow campers were respectful and friendly. Cultus is always a great experience.
I lived in Oregon for a couple years as a kid and my family got big into backpacking. One of our family favorites was Pamelia Lake. The trail is gentle and the basin the lake is in has great mountain ranges surrounding. As an adult it was only right that this was my first place to solo. I spent a little over 3 days hiking around the area. This is a great place that has many trails of varying difficulties nearby.
I have written a review on Three Creek Lake Campground that tells all about the road. The road to this camp site is just as bad if not worse. Take it slow if you have a big rig or don’t have 4 wheel drive.
This camp was more spacious than the one across the lake, and yes you get to have fires (at designated spots only). No fee, no water, no trash, and no electricity.
The bathrooms on this side of the lake didn’t make me gag and are very well stocked.
We went on a hike on Driftwood Trail (which is NOT marked). It’s the only way you can get out to Little Three Creek Lake. It was well worth it and the trail is wide and easy to follow.
Fire rangers drive around about twice daily, and Forest rangers about 5 to 6 times daily.
This side of the lake definitely has a lot more options of hiking and fishing. The lake is deeper and easier to bank fish.
It was around the 15th of the month when we decided to leave because frost was setting in, or we would have stayed a bit longer. I love this place and would definitely come back, but with a vehicle equipped for the road.
11 sites with tables and fire rings. Additional sites specifically for horse trailers. No cell service. Multiple hiking trails from the campground. 3 Creek Lake is .75 mile away. No water available
Beautiful spot to relax! I didnt hear or see a single person the entire night even though there were other people in the area!
There werent any firepits or anything that i could find but there was a bathroom nearby, as well as a beautiful creek!
Wow, this is one of the most pure lakes in the world. Like distilled water! It’s clear and you can see all the way down. Lots of islands to paddle or kayak to. Sites are large and the pit toilets are very clean. Camp Host Doug kept an immaculate campground. The only negative is the massive number of mosquitos, we underestimated their effect. Be conscientious of the lake and respectful.
The lake is calm, the campsites line the lake full of evergreens. Truly peaceful.
It's beautiful, scenic, and full of mosquitos. Bring long sleeves and some citronella and you'll have a great time though. Excellent paddle boarding and swimming. Loads of stars to look at.
Picnic tables and fire pits available. Pretty good RV sites. Pretty good tent sites. Somebody even left us some wood. Other wood available in the area. Only one other camper while we were there (4-days).
We stayed in Big Lake West last weekend. The site was huge extending all the way down to the lake but we discovered that all of the west sites are walk-in only so we parked our van on the side of the road in front of our campsite in the designated area. The vault toilets were relatively clean and there were ample water spigots and garbage cans.
The downside is that we had a constant stream of hikers, hunters, other campers, and their dogs wandering through our campsite all day on both of the days we had reserved the site. It seems that most people elect to forgo the day-use access to the lake and use the campsites instead.
We also had substantial fast-moving traffic (hunters, hikers and OHVs) who appeared to be exploring the area.
And lastly- the trash in our site was substantial. The sites are large and not heavily maintained, but it’s disappointing to see piles of cigarette butts, cans, plastic bottles, a camp rug, along with the normal micro-trash lying around.
If you are easy going and like to make new friends with the endless stream of people wandering through your site- this is a great location. If you are trying to disconnect and have a little space to call your own for the weekend, I would avoid or stick to the regular big lake sites.
We decided to hike to Pamelia lake as a labor day backpacking trip, and this trip did not disappoint! One of our friends was a beginner, so we decided to tailor the trip to his experience. This hike-in dispersed campsite was easy to get to, about 2.4 miles one-way from the parking lot. We setup our basecamp right by Pamelia lake and was able to do day hikes from there. We summited Grizzly Peak and saw beautiful views of Mount Jefferson.
Sites were very spacious, we could have easily fit 8 people at our site. Since the hike in was relatively easy, we felt comfortable bringing some camping luxuries like a backpacking chair and hammocks. Be sure to bring your own water filter! The best place to access water was about 0.4 miles away from our site; there is a main stream that feeds into Pamelia Lake. The ranger we spoke to advised us against getting water from the lake or the river we passed on the hike-in due to the algae bloom. We were easily able to access water the entire time we were there.
One big thing to note about this campsite is that permits are awarded via lottery. We were lucky enough to snag a permit the week before and we were very glad we did since we were asked to show proof of our permit twice during the 4 days we were staying there.
This spot has been a family favorite for years. There is little to no cell service in the area which is actually nice. No motors on the lake and it is just a nice change of pace. It’s not overly cozy or glamorous so if that’s what you want this isn’t your spot.
This campsite is amazing. We're pretty new to finding free and dispersed camping spots so it was a long shot to get here, but we lucked out and fell in love with this place.
Getting there is fairly easy. GPS for us didn't give us the right lake but we drove on until there was a sign for the campground. There's no chance of you missing it. The drive is also very beautiful.
The campground has a lot of spots. The first spot is the only one I'd considered "good" for an rv but I wouldn't bother trying. The first 5 or 6 spots and can pull your vehicle off the road and set up. There are a few hike in spots that we didn't check out but were well marked.
There are fire pits, picnic tables, bathrooms, and plenty of good spots to set up a hammock.
They also have a boat launch, but it didn't seem that great. I didn't see anyone use it to get boats or kayaks in the water-only people carrying their kayaks.
We loved it here and really lucked out on our spot.
Campsite marker said full but we drove in anyways and wete able to find one lucky open spot! Got a beautiful view of the lake and easy water refill/trash stop!
Remote and quiet campground. Only .5 mile hike to the falls. Shellburgh Falls is tall with a huge basalt cave that you can walk behind the waterfall and down below to actually stand under the waterfall. Very pretty. No one was camping when I was there. Long but pretty drive down a gravel road about 5+ miles in until you get to the campground. Restrooms, water, and trash cans there to use. Very clean. However, when I tried to visit there again the road was closed due to the fires near Detroit Lake last year. Hope it survived!
Great spot for some camping and time on the lake! Busy place, and motor boats allowed, so not particularly quiet.
Stunning camping in a temperate rainforest. Sites are big and private. Very quite and tons of near empty trails even with a full campground on a weekend in the summer. Walking, bike, and horse trails. Close to the ten waterfall trail on the day use area.
Big Lake Campground is a great place to visit in all seasons, although you would need snowshoes, skis, or a snowmobile to get there in the Winter. The views of Mt. Washington over the lake are truly stunning. My only knocks on it is that mosquitoes can be vicious in the summer, and most of the forest in view is burnt.
The scenery is amazing. The smell of the trees in the summer is my favorite part. Lots of great trails to hike.
Really relaxing place. Beautiful blue water, lots of shade & beach area to play.
Beautiful lake. High human impact. The campground is not maintained and roads are rough. Most campsites on slopes and walk in. I would give higher stars for beauty but too many people. Mile long traffic jam.
This is a lovely campground, of course perfect if you have horses, those sites are further in. Many of the sites have lovely views of the meadow with a little creek running through. The sites were decently spaced, and the surrounding area is lovely for hiking, biking etc. the lake is not far down either.
Gorgeous views and hiking trails galore! I don’t think I’ve camped at a place that is as beautiful scenery as Big Lake Campground. Campground has all the necessities: there are vault toilets, fire pits, tables, and drinking water. No cell service of course and lake is very close.
Lots of space and highly recommend!
Camping near Vida, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Vida, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vida, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vida, OR is Big Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vida, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Vida, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
