CampgroundsDB

Big Spring

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Big Spring is a National Forest campground near Mitchell, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Mitchell, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest

Big Spring sits inside Ochoco National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Rules

Stay limit
14 days

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
4,997 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
Verizon
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

44.3324, -119.9926 in Crook. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Big Spring?
No. Big Spring is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Big Spring?
Camping at Big Spring is free.
Is there drinking water at Big Spring?
No. Big Spring has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
How long can you stay at Big Spring?
The stay limit at Big Spring is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Big Spring?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T at Big Spring. It shows none at Big Spring from Verizon, though Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.3 mi away. It shows none from T-Mobile at or within about half a mile. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Big Spring?
Big Spring is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Big Spring

fishypedia.com · 30 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Antelope Flat Reservoir, whose mapped center point is 30 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Antelope Flat Reservoir fishing on fishypedia.com.

First-come Deep Creek Prineville · National Forest Season Mid-May to October Fee Single Site: $8 per night First-come Cottonwood Pit Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Cottonwood Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free First-come Scotts Camp Mitchell · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Free

More campgrounds: camping near Mitchell and campgrounds in Crook.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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