Big River

USDA Forest Service campground, 13 sites

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 launch is located across the road and provides 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.