Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead

Its 3 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead is a National Forest campground near Ukiah, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Ukiah, Oregon

Managed by: National Forest

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead sits inside Umatilla National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.1 miles outside the boundary of North Fork John Day Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

North Fork John Day Wilderness: A trailhead in the campground enters the North Fork John Day Wilderness on Big Creek Trail #3151, and three OHV trails (Tower Loop, Meadow Creek, Christensen) connect to it. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

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

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

Sites and hookups

Total sites: 3

✓ Toilets
✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

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

Rules

Stay limit: 14 days in any 30-day period

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

Access and cell service

Elevation: 5,051 ft

45.0096, -118.6182 in Umatilla. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead's season is not on record , at 5,051 ft.

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

No. Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead 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 Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

Camping at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead is free.

How many campsites does Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead have?

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead has 3 campsites.

Is there drinking water at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

No. Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.

When is Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead open?

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead opens Late May.

How long can you stay at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

The stay limit at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead is 14 days in any 30-day period.

Is there cell service at Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

Probably not: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at or within about half a mile of Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead. 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.

Who manages Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead?

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead

fishypedia.com · 19 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Anthony Lake, whose mapped center point is 19 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Anthony Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

First-come Winom Creek Campground & Tower Loop Trailhead Ukiah · National Forest First-come Oriental Campground Dale · National Forest

First-come Umapine Campground La Grande · National Forest First-come Gold Dredge Dale · National Forest

More campgrounds: camping near Ukiah and campgrounds in Umatilla.

Sources

apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-09-29
broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
fs.usda.gov (sites, season, fee, toilets, water, notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-29
fs.usda.gov (stayLimit), accessed 2026-09-29

First-come, first-served Free

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