Babyfoot Lake and Bigelow Lakes
Babyfoot is reached from US 199 by Eight Dollar Road (FR 4201); Bigelow Lakes by trail from Oregon Caves or from FR 4613 and 070. The Babyfoot trail is open spring through fall (Forest Service, checked November 2026).
Two separate trips. Babyfoot Lake is a 1.2-mile walk into the burned edge of the Kalmiopsis, west of the valley. Bigelow Lakes sit in meadows on Mount Elijah, east of the valley above Oregon Caves.
From our Lakes and Mountains page
These are two separate trips. Babyfoot Lake is to the west, on the eastern edge of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. From US 199, turn west on Eight Dollar Road, which becomes Forest Road 4201. It crosses the Illinois River and climbs about 12 miles. Then take Road 140 about half a mile to the trailhead. The lake is about 1.2 miles in, downhill on the way there. The 2002 Biscuit Fire burned the whole area, so expect dead snags and little shade. The trail is open spring through fall, it has no water, and wilderness rules apply.
Bigelow Lakes are to the east, in meadows high on Mount Elijah above Oregon Caves. The long way starts at the cave visitor center: a 9.2-mile loop with 2,390 feet of climbing, which the NPS recommends for experienced hikers. For the short way, take Highway 46 to Forest Road 4613, then Road 070 to the Mt. Elijah/Bigelow Lakes Trailhead at its end. That trailhead has no water or toilets.
Read the whole Lakes and Mountains page.
Nearby
- Kalmiopsis Wilderness, 1.4 miles away in a straight line
- It's a Burl, 8.1 miles away in a straight line
- Sweet Cron - Cron Produce, 8.1 miles away in a straight line
- Kerbyville Inn, 8.1 miles away in a straight line
- Kerbyville Museum and History Center, 8.1 miles away in a straight line
Every place in the valley is on the places page.