Big Meadow Lake

Area Status: Open

Big Meadow Lake is 4.1-acre shallow lake perfect for family recreating and wildlife viewing. This Lake is found in a beautiful setting of forested mountains. Visitors come for fishing, camping, hiking, birding and canoeing. It has a primitive boat launch and fishing pier. It is a shallow lake with a depth of 15'.

History: According to Joe Barreca with Northeast Washington Trails, “Big Meadow Lake was once the true homestead. Meadow Creek was dammed to create Meadow Lake for wildlife habitat. The lookout tower was built on top of North Baldy Mt in 1964 and survived for many years without guy wires, a noteworthy fact. Guy McKee helped save it for Big Meadow Lake.”

Title:	Big Meadows Fig 18
Date:
Location:
Credit:
Description:
Source:

Title:	Big Meadow Google Earth
Date:
Location:
Credit:
Description:
Source:

Title:	Big Meadow Lake Fig 14
Date:
Location:
Credit:
Description:
Source:

Title:	Big Meadows Hillshade
Date:
Location:
Credit:
Description:
Source:

Title:	Big Lake Fig 9
Date:
Location:
Credit:
Description:
Source:

At a Glance

Area Amenities:	Boat ramp, Tent camping
Restrictions:	The use of lead weights or lead jigs that measure 1.5 inches or less along the longest axis is not allowed. Drinking water and garbage disposal are not available here.
Closest Towns:	Colville, WA

General Information

General Notes:

Meadow Lake Trail #125 and #126 totals 4.4 miles of easy terrain around the spectacular mountain lake. A trail to the lookout tower gives you a view of the lake and meadow area along Meadow Creek. There’s an interpretive trail that leads to the Hess Homestead Cabin which has a picnic table and fire ring. From there, you can then continue the trail that wraps around the lake.

Big Meadow Lake Campground offers 17 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, tent pads and vault toilets. There’s an interpretive trail to the lookout tower and the west dock is ADA accessible. Drinking water and garbage disposal are not available here. Campsites are within walking distance of the lake. Camping is free although access to the back loop is limited seasonally.

Anglers can access the dock on the west end or fish from a few areas around the lake. Rainbow trout fry plants are annually planted and provide 10-16-inch fish. Two-pole fishing is allowed. The use of lead weights or lead jigs that measure 1.5 inches or less along the longest axis is not allowed, as there are rules to protect breeding common loons.

Fish Identification and Information:

Salmon/Steelhead Species using contentcx
Warmwater Fish Species using just content
Coldwater Fish Species using contentfw

Habitat Management Information:

Learning Center

Directions:

From Three Rivers Ranger Station: Take Meyers St to US-395 S/E 3rd Ave. Follow US-395 S and Aladdin Rd for 29 miles. Turn right onto Meadow Creek Rd continue for 6.0 miles. Slight right onto Settlers Way continue for 499 feet. Slight left onto Meadow Creek Rd continue for 0.4 miles to lake.

Google map directions from Three Rivers Ranger Station, Kettle Falls, WA