Established Camping
Big River Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Deschutes National Forest
Overview
Big River Campground is located along the Deschutes River south of the town of Sunriver. Large, open group sites offer a perfect setting for family reunions or group gatherings.
Recreation
Popular activities in the area include hiking, fishing and rafting in the summer months and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Big River provides the perfect place to launch a canoe or kayak into the Deschutes River. Only non-motorized boating is permitted on the river, and the water is Class II flatwater for about 6 miles below Sunriver. The Deschutes River is renowned for its fly fishing, and sustains populations of kokanee, rainbow, bull and brown trout. Boat fishing or drift fishing is the best way to catch fish at this part of the river.
Facilities
Big River Campground offers three group sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping and 10 single sites. The sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills and vault toilets. A boat ramp is provided and sites have easy access to the waterfront.
Natural Features
Nearby peaks, lava flows and Ponderosa pine stands provide visitors with a variety of landscapes, showcasing ecosystems typical of central Oregon. The Deschutes River, a tributary of the Columbia River, is central to the campground. The river flows through areas of ponderosa and aspen, with its shoreline varying from marshy meadows to basalt bedrock. Flows fluctuate less on this part of the river because of tributaries, and the river features many deep pools, a relatively stable bank and rocky in-stream structure. Wildlife found in the area include deer, elk, native fish and migratory birds.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 12 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 25 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls. Big River Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor.
Fee Info
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Fine campground
We stayed here because it was close to Bend and had a fcfs spot. It was nice that it was on the river but our site was trashed and had cigarette butts everywhere. I had to scoop plastic trash from the fire pit and it was just a little corner pit that didn’t block the wind at all. We made sure the campsite was nice for the next person though
Not worth your time
We arrived to this campsite and it had been trashed by the people before us. They had left trash in the fire pit, trash around the site, leftover food all over and the worst was dead crawfish. I was not about to have my family stay there for a second.
Nice Campground near the Bend area
This nice forest service campground is located next to a river near the Bend area. I visited in the fall so I was the only camper there. The sites were fairly large with some sites closer to each other then other spots. There was lots of beach area along the river. You could hear a loud party coming from a house that were nearby, but otherwise pretty nice campground.
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Location
Big River Campground is located in Oregon
Directions
From Bend travel south on Hwy. 97 for about 17 miles, then make a right onto Vandervert Road. Make a left onto S. Century Dr. then another right to stay on S Century Dr. Follow S Century Dr. / NF-4205, then make a right onto Bonanza Lane, and another right to stay on Bonanza which will lead you into the campground.
Address
63095 DESCHUTES MARKET ROAD
Bend, OR 97701
Coordinates
43.8183333 N
121.4986111 W