CampgroundsDB

Big Meadow Lake

Its 17 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and it is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27. Big Meadow Lake is a National Forest campground near Ione, Washington.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Ione, Washington

A campsite with picnic table and fire pit at Big Meadow Lake CampgroundAn open campsite with picnic table and fire pit at Big Meadow Lake CampgroundBig Meadow Lake, next to the campground
A campsite with picnic table and fire pit at Big Meadow Lake CampgroundAn open campsite with picnic table and fire pit at Big Meadow Lake CampgroundBig Meadow Lake, next to the campground1 / 3

A campsite with picnic table and fire pit at Big Meadow Lake Campground. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

Managed by
National Forest

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

Big Meadow Lake: A 4.1-acre lake with an accessible fishing dock, primitive boat launch, a lookout platform over the meadow and a replica homestead cabin on the trails. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Fee unconfirmed: the forest page posts a fee update of $8 a night but its fee table still says $10 (checked 2026-09-29)

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

Sites and hookups

Total sites
17
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets, fire rings, and pets allowed. No potable water.

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

Rules

Stay limit
14 days
Quiet hours
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Pets
Allowed

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

Access and cell service

Elevation
3,427 ft

48.7295, -117.5636 in Pend Oreille. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Big Meadow Lake is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27 , at 3,427 ft.

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Big Meadow Lake?
No. Big Meadow Lake is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How many campsites does Big Meadow Lake have?
Big Meadow Lake has 17 campsites.
Is there drinking water at Big Meadow Lake?
No. Big Meadow Lake has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Big Meadow Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Meadow Lake.
When is Big Meadow Lake open?
Big Meadow Lake is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27.
How long can you stay at Big Meadow Lake?
The stay limit at Big Meadow Lake is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Big Meadow Lake?
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 Meadow Lake. 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 Meadow Lake?
Big Meadow Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Big Meadow Lake

fishypedia.com · 0.3 miles

Big Meadow Lake sits on Big Meadow Lake, 0.3 miles from the lake's mapped center point. Stocking record and species: Big Meadow Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

Lakes · within 15 miles

Other lakes within 15 miles: Frater Lake fishing (6.3 miles) , Lake Leo fishing (6.4 miles) , Heritage Lake fishing (6.9 miles) , Lake Thomas fishing (7.5 miles) , and Lake Gillette fishing (8.4 miles) , each with its stocking record on fishypedia.com.

First-come Lake Leo Colville · National Forest Season Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Fee Single site: $31 per night; double $52; day use $10 per vehicle Reservable Edgewater Ione · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $31 per night First-come Lake Thomas Colville · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $31 per night Reservable Lake Gillette Colville · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $31 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Ione and campgrounds in Pend Oreille.

Sources

Photo credits

First-come, first-served
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