Smiling River Campground
Deschutes National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: SISTERS, OR, OR
Price: From $29 per night
Price range: $29–$31 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (170 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/smiling-river-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Nestled in Deschutes National Forest with stunning central Oregon scenery, Smiling River Campground offers excellent fly-fishing on the spring-fed Metolius River and easy access to hiking. Campers praise its cleanliness, spacious sites, helpful camp host, and riverside location.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions, elk, mule deer, coyotes, pileated woodpeckers, white-headed woodpeckers, calliope hummingbirds, and northern Pacific rattlesnakes documented in the area
Insider tips for Smiling River Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground Fly-fishing on the Metolius River is allowed and highly regarded Sites have more privacy than nearby Camp Sherman Campground
Skip Smiling River Campground if: You need RV hookups—most sites have no hookups, suitable only for self-contained RVs. You want year-round camping—seasonal operations May-October only. You prefer solitude—expect hikers passing through campsites.
Best time to visit Smiling River Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Allingham Campground (Camp Sherman, OR), Lower Canyon Creek Campground (SISTERS, OR), Camp Sherman Campground (SISTERS, OR), Allen Springs Campground (SISTERS, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Smiling River Campground
Cell signal at Smiling River Campground (SISTERS, OR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.Hiking and fishing top the list of recreational activities for visitors.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Fly-fishing on the Metolius River is allowed and highly regarded
Sites have more privacy than nearby Camp Sherman Campground
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Deschutes National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Deschutes National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Smiling River Campground cost per night?+
What season is Smiling River Campground open?+
Does Smiling River Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Smiling River Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Smiling River Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Smiling River Campground?+
What season is Smiling River Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.