Big River
Deschutes National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: BEND, OR, OR
Price: From $23 per night
Price range: $23–$126 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (50 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-river to be notified when sites open up.
Big River sits directly on the Deschutes River with a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft like canoes and kayaks. The campground offers fishing access and large group sites suitable for family reunions, all at an affordable $23/night.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear and Coyote have been research-grade documented within 8km. Store food properly and be bear-aware, especially during summer months when the campground is busiest.
Insider tips for Big River: Book early—this is a popular federal campground and fills quickly during peak season Bring a canoe or kayak; the boat launch provides direct Deschutes River access for non-motorized craft No RV hookups available, so ensure your RV is self-contained before arriving
Skip Big River if: You need RV hookups—none are provided at this campground. You're planning a winter trip—operations close November through April.
Best time to visit Big River: May-October — Official operating season. Summer enables fishing, hiking, rafting, and non-motorized boating on the Deschutes River..
Nearby campgrounds: Fall River Campground (BEND, OR), Pringle Falls Campground (BEND, OR), Ogden Group (La Pine, OR), Fall River Guard Station (Bend, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big River
Cell signal at Big River (BEND, OR): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground and fills quickly during peak season
Bring a canoe or kayak; the boat launch provides direct Deschutes River access for non-motorized craft
No RV hookups available, so ensure your RV is self-contained before arriving
Official operating season. Summer enables fishing, hiking, rafting, and non-motorized boating on the Deschutes River.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Deschutes National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Deschutes National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big River cost per night?+
What season is Big River open?+
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What is the maximum RV length at Big River?+
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What is the cell service like at Big River?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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