Go if
You want river views and fall fishing in a Forest Service setting with friendly hosts.
Smiling River Campground
4.26236 reviewsPO BOX 249, SISTERS, OR 97759, USA
Featured in:Tent Camping Oregon
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Quick Facts
2,963 ftPrice
$29 - $33/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
36 campsites
Season
Open season is from ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsReal-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Quick Facts
2,963 ftPrice
$29 - $33/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
36 campsites
Season
Open season is from ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsSmiling River Campground
$29.00 - $33.00 / night
Campsite Fees
MANAGEMENT: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday); PREMIUM FEE: $31.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov...
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PO BOX 249, SISTERS, OR 97759, USA
Smiling River Campground
PO BOX 249, SISTERS, OR 97759, USA
Nearby places
Sisters (9.6 miles northwest, approximately 15-minute drive)
Weather at Smiling River Campground
About Smiling River Campground
RV details
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Skip if
You need RV hookups, guaranteed quiet, or pristine vault toilets during peak use.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Smiling River Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p>The campsites in this site are more heavily used during the midweek than other areas along Metolius River. However, with ample campsites along the river, it is rare for all the sites to be taken even on the busiest weekend. This campground offers opportunities to fly fish, provides access to trails, and is just one mile north of the Camp Sherman Store.</p><p>Find a map of this campground <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd684173.pdf">here</a>.</p>
About the campground
The elevation is 2,900ft. The campground is a lazy loop through a stand of Ponderosa pine beside the Metolius River. Sites on the northeast side of the loop have heavier vegetation providing lots of shade and the better privacy. Sites along the west side back up onto the river, are all pull-throughs and do fill early. The southeast sites are the most open and sunniest and have minimal privacy. Firewood is available for a fee. Gas, limited groceries, fly-fishing supplies, Deschutes National Forest 120 and snacks are available at the nearby Camp Sherman Store.
Seasons & access
Open March 16 through October 6
RV information
The parking aprons are cinder and gravel and can accommodate any size RV. The curve at north end of loop may pose a challenge for motorhomes over 35 feet. There are grey water disposal sites throughout the campground. RV waste stations, with potable water and available for a fee, are at the Hoodoo Ski Resort located 0.8 miles south of US RT. 20 on Big Lake Rd. (Forest Rt. 2690) and at Sisters's City Park on S. Locust St, 0.1 miles south of US Rt. 20.
Directions
From Sisters, OR, take US Rt. 20 west 8.4 miles to Metolius River/Camp Sherman sign. Turn right at sign onto Forest Rt.14 and go 1.6 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear right, staying on Forest Rt. 14, and go 3.2 miles to Camp Sherman/Campgrounds sign. Turn left at sign onto Forest Rt. 1419 and go 0.1 miles to a "T" intersection. Turn right onto Forest Rt.1419-900 and go 0.9 miles to campground on left.
- National Forest
- Deschutes National Forest
- Ranger District
- Sisters
- Rate
- $18 per day $14 per day March 16 through April 30 when no potable water is available
- Maximum Stay
- 14
- Open Season
- Tentative Opening: May 3, 2024 – October 13, 2024
