Pioneer Ford Campground
Pioneer Ford is one of the most popular of the campgrounds in the area since many of the sites are well suited to RVs and most of the sites are mostly private, shaded amongst a mixture of pine and cedar trees. As you travel north away from the first in a series of Metolius-area campgrounds and Camp Sherman, the facilities become more and more isolated which is why Pioneer Ford can be so quiet. Located on the Metolius River, this campground provides access to fishing and hiking trails.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Pull-through | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Standard | Pull-through | 34 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Standard | Pull-through | 34 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 011 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 012 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
With 20 campsites Pioneer Ford Campground is well-suited to trailers, tents or RVs with its mix of back-in and pull-through sites. Many sites are right along the Metolius River and site 8 also has an adjacent picnic shelter. This facility has vault toilets as well as drinking water available. Each site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table.
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: $30/night. Premium Campsite Rate: $32/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 40 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, OR: Travel 9.6 miles northwest on Highway 20, then 12.6 miles north on Forest Road 14.
| Nearest town | Sisters, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.5506° N, 121.6222° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
15 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedSlow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West
26 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
26 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSpike Timber Sale Rx - West
29 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 ↗ | 18.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redpoint ↗ | 25.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 29.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Pioneer Ford Campground | Metolius River Deschutes Cent
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.
- 5.6 miCabot Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miEast Metolius River Trail ↗9.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.2 miGreen Ridge ↗11.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miWest Metolius River Trail ↗8.4 mi trail · hiking
- 3.5 miJefferson Lake ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 3.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.5 miMount Jefferson Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 109,098 acres
- 11.1 miWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 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 · 7.1 mi
- Santiam Pass Ski LodgeBuilding · Sisters · 14.9 mi
Natural features
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 Pioneer Ford Campground?
Sites at Pioneer Ford 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 Pioneer Ford Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $30/night. Premium Campsite Rate: $32/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pioneer Ford Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Pioneer Ford Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Pioneer Ford Campground have?
20 sites, including 17 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Pioneer Ford Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 pets allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pioneer Ford 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 40 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Pioneer Ford 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 Pioneer Ford 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
What if Pioneer Ford Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Bridge Campground (0.5 mi), Allen Springs Campground (1.6 mi), and Candle Creek Campground (1.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby