Riverside Campground
Located on the upper Metolius River, Riverside Campground is one of a sting of camps that dot the river offering 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 · tent only in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Walk-in | 16 |
Site guide
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Gravel | Partial | 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
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Riverside Campground is one of our few walk-in tent-only facilities therefore we cannot accommodate RVs or trailers. Campers must haul their camping gear a short distance to the camping site. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and the campground has vault toilets available.
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: $18/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 fees: - A 50 percent discount on… |
| Rules | Tent only. 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 4.4 miles north on Forest Road 14.
| Nearest town | Sisters, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.4551° N, 121.6384° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
19 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedSlow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West
32 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
32 mi from the campground
- PrescribedJunction Rx
35 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 ↗ | 19.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redpoint ↗ | 23.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 26.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Riverside Campground - Targhee National Forest, ID
Worth a stop
The Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. 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 nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
- 9.4 miCabot Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miCamp Sherman "h"2.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.8 miLake Creek4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miEast Metolius River Trail ↗9.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miHead of Metolius ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 2 miBlack Butte ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miLower Butte Loops ↗7.5 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
Willamette National Forest begins about 5.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.9 miWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 6.1 miMount Jefferson Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 109,098 acres
- 10.5 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 · 0.9 mi
- Santiam Pass Ski LodgeBuilding · Sisters · 11.4 mi
- Sisters High SchoolBuilding · Sisters · 12.3 mi
Natural features
The headwaters of the adjacent Metolius 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. The 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 Riverside Campground?
Sites at Riverside 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 Riverside Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $18/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 fees: - A 50 percent discount on…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Riverside Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Riverside Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Riverside Campground have?
16 sites, including 16 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Riverside Campground?
Riverside Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Riverside Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Riverside Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Riverside 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. Tent only.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Riverside Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Riverside 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 Riverside Campground?
Sisters, Oregon. The Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities.
Source: Getting there
What if Riverside Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pine Rest Campground (1.8 mi), Camp Sherman Campground (1.9 mi), and Gorge Campground (2.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby