thruhikingwiki | Unofficial Independent thruhiking Index

Big Lake Youth Camp and the Highway 20 Corridor as a PCT Resupply Option

Big Lake Youth Camp and the Highway 20 Corridor as a PCT Resupply Option reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

The Big Lake Youth Camp area and the broader Highway 20 corridor near Santiam Pass provide an intermediate resupply option in central Oregon for PCT hikers who prefer mail-based logistics or shorter food carries between larger town stops.

Key points

  • Big Lake Youth Camp lies a short distance off the PCT near Santiam Pass and Big Lake in central Oregon.
  • When programs and policies allow, some hikers send resupply packages to the camp as an alternative to traveling all the way into town.
  • Availability of hiker services at the camp is seasonal and depends on the camp’s operating schedule, policies, and capacity.
  • The nearby Highway 20 / Santiam Pass crossing offers additional flexibility, with road access to Sisters and Bend for those who opt for full in-town resupply.
  • Using Big Lake or the Highway 20 corridor can shorten food carries between Shelter Cove, Bend/Sisters, and later northern Oregon resupply points.
  • Because this is primarily a youth camp environment, hikers are expected to follow any visitor guidelines or restrictions that organizers establish.

Details

In the central Oregon segment of the PCT, the landscape of lava flows, forests, and lakes is intersected by Highway 20 near Santiam Pass. Within this corridor, Big Lake Youth Camp has become a recognized waypoint for some long-distance hikers, although the camp’s primary mission is separate from the PCT and its willingness to interface with hikers is guided by its own policies and resources.

Big Lake Youth Camp is typically reached via side trails from the PCT that lead toward Big Lake and camp facilities. In some seasons, the camp has offered limited services such as package holding, meal options, or short rest opportunities for PCT hikers, subject to advance arrangements or specific time windows. These offerings are not guaranteed from year to year and may change based on staffing, program schedules, and institutional decisions, so hikers generally verify current information from the camp’s official communication channels before making detailed plans.

For those who make use of it, Big Lake can function as a compact resupply node that reduces the need to leave the trail corridor for a full town visit. Hikers who prefer to minimize time off trail or who are managing tight schedules sometimes favor this approach, especially when combined with larger resupplies in Bend, Sisters, or other Oregon hubs.

The Highway 20 / Santiam Pass crossing itself remains an important access point regardless of camp logistics. Hikers who prefer comprehensive resupply, medical visits, or gear shopping often hitch from the pass into Sisters or on toward Bend. Others may treat the pass primarily as a transitional landmark while relying on mailed boxes or smaller outlets nearby.

Because the Big Lake area is shared by youth programs, day visitors, and other recreational users, PCT hikers who enter the space are typically expected to follow any posted guidelines, respect program boundaries, and coordinate resupply or visits in ways that align with the camp’s operational needs.

Within the larger PCT itinerary, the Big Lake / Highway 20 corridor offers an additional layer of flexibility in central Oregon, allowing hikers to fine-tune carry lengths and resupply patterns between more widely known nodes such as Shelter Cove, Bend/Sisters, and the Mt Hood region.

Disclaimer: thruhikingwiki.com is an independent, informational reference only. It is not an official source for any trail association, land manager, park, agency, or guide service. Nothing on this site is legal, safety, medical, navigation, or professional advice, and it does not replace formal training or certified instruction. Thru-hiking and backcountry travel involve significant risk. Local regulations, land manager rules, and manufacturer instructions always take priority. You are solely responsible for your planning decisions, safety practices, and compliance with applicable laws. Use this site at your own risk.

Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.