Smiling River Campground
Nestled in Deschutes National Forest, Smiling River Campground offers visitors some of the most stunning scenery in central Oregon and easy access to an abundance of recreational activities.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 35 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
35 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 002 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Smiling River Campground offers sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, however hookups are not available. Picnic areas, trails and scenic overlooks, along with the conveniences of firewood, drinking water and flush toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having many of the conveniences of home.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Single Campsite Rate: $29/night. Premium Campsite Rate: $31/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00. NOTE: Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 50 feet. The water system will be turned on in the month of May depending on weather conditions and will be turned off no later than September 30, or upon the campground closing, whichever, is earlier to prevent potential damage from cold temperatures. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sisters, Oregon, travel 9.6 miles northwest on Highway 20, then turn right on SW Camp Sherman Rd / Road 14 for about 5 miles, then follow right onto SW Camp Sherman Rd / R F D 1419 for about half a mile. Make a left onto NF-1419 / 113, then a slight right onto SW Metolius River Rd / NF-900 and follow into the campground.
| Nearest town | Sisters, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.4933° N, 121.6406° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
17 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedSlow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West
30 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
30 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSpike Timber Sale Rx - West
33 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 19.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redpoint ↗ | 24.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 27.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Smiling River Campground | Metolius River | Deschutes N
Worth a stop
The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length, and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in Bend, Oregon, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits.
- 7.2 miCabot Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miWest Metolius River Trail ↗8.4 mi trail · hiking
- 2.3 miCamp Sherman "h"2.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 2.6 miLake Creek4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miEast Metolius River Trail ↗9.5 mi trail · hiking
- 4.1 miHead of Metolius ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 4.1 miHead of Jack Creek0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Mount Jefferson Wilderness begins about 4.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.3 miMount Jefferson Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 109,098 acres
- 7.6 miWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 12.3 miMount Washington Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 54,406 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Camp Sherman Community HallBuilding · Camp Sherman · 3.1 mi
- Santiam Pass Ski LodgeBuilding · Sisters · 12.1 mi
- Sisters High SchoolBuilding · Sisters · 14.8 mi
Natural features
Many sites at this campground look out to Metolius River, a tributary of the Deschutes River. The headwaters of the river are at Metolius Springs at the base of Black Butte, a 3,076-foot cinder cone. The clear, cold river flows north from the springs through diverse coniferous forest and a landscape of volcanic activity. The area provides habitat for mammals such as mule deer, coyote and cougar.
Recreation
Hiking and fishing top the list of recreational activities for visitors. For anglers, the spring-fed Metolius river offers a stunning setting for fly-fishing. Its clear, cold water supports rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout and kokanee salmon. For day hikers and backpackers, the area offers a wide variety of scenic terrain, ranging from riverside trails to routes in subalpine forests.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Smiling River Campground?
Sites at Smiling River Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Smiling River Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $29/night. Premium Campsite Rate: $31/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Smiling River Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Smiling River Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Smiling River Campground have?
36 sites, including 35 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Smiling River Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Smiling River Campground?
Picnic areas, trails and scenic overlooks, along with the conveniences of firewood, drinking water and flush toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having many of the conveniences of home.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Smiling River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Smiling River Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Smiling River Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 50 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Smiling River Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Smiling River Campground?
Hiking and fishing top the list of recreational activities for visitors. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Smiling River Campground?
Sisters, Oregon. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length, and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon.
Source: Getting there