Smiling River Campground

Deschutes National Forest

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.

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.

Need to Know

• Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground. 

• Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 

• During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org 

• Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.

  Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

• Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

• Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

• Click here for more information about Deschutes National Forest

• Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Camping or occupying any location on all National Forest lands for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year is prohibited.

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. Migratory birds and native fish also call the area home.

Nearby Attractions

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.

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.

Changes & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Contact Information

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PO BOX 249 SISTERS OR 97759

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 541-323-1746

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

• Site 023, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric

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