“come fly fish with everyone”
Overview 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.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.Facilities 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. 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.
Reviews of Smiling River Campground
4 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
T-Mobile 5G
Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on September 19, 2022Reviews
Smiling River campground is one of five campgrounds just north of Camp Sherman along the Metolius River. The road through the campground is narrow. I was a little nervous driving close to the roadside trees, but we didn't hit anything. Later, I saw a couple large motorhomes driving through, so the road is wide enough for most rigs.
We stayed at site 14 which is large and directly on the river. Our site was mostly shaded by tall pine trees. We were visited by a couple turkey vultures who sat in a tree above our campsite for over an hour.
A trail runs along the river for several miles. The trail leads to the Camp Sherman store which is one mile from the campground.
There is no AT&T or Verizon cell service along the river.
Nightly Rate: $18.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 14
Although we didn’t have reservations, we did find a few open campsites that were available and the one we chose was very nice. We were there mid July so it was almost full.
Nightly Rate: $9.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 31
This campground and the Metolius river is so beautiful!
We did not have reservations and were lucky to find a first come/first served spot.
The sites are semi-private and really nice.
One of the highlights was going to Hola for dinner!
Nightly Rate: $22.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 3
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile
Located on the Metolius River, a mile north of Camp Sherman Store the Smiling River Campground offers 38 campsites with 3 vault toilets, piped water and access to fly fishing and trails.
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Smiling River Campground
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- National forest
- Check In
- 4:00 PM
- Check Out
- 2:00 PM
- Last Nightly Rate
- 22.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 25.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 9.0
- Max Length
- 35
- Max Stay
- 14
- Sites Count
- 36
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
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