Smiling River Campground, Sisters, OR

Smiling River Campground is located in the Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest (51 min northwest of Bend, OR) with an elevation of 2,945 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. 34 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 26 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $18.00 to $27.00. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.

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Campsite Reviews (103)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		51%
4 star		28%
3 star		15%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

@SueC7675810 · Camped on Oct 1, 2024 at Campsite #21

Great campground!

@JimG4565855 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #22

One our favorite campgrounds. Beautiful Metolius River.

@JudithR5038CF0 · Camped on Sep 22, 2024 at Campsite #8

Our campsite #8 was very private with trees and shrubs all around. The only disappointment was that we could hear the river but could not see it directly from our site (although it was a few steps away down a small pathway).

@CliffMB8F707A7 · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #19

Smiling River Campground, and the Metolius experience were delightful, as always

@AnneH4238455 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #22

Smiling River campground is a great campground. What wasn't great, was a couple campers who had their loud generators running most of the day and into the night. I don't go camping to listen to generators. Rules must be enforced as to when and for how long to run a generator or better yet, no generators at all. Also, it would be nice if Rec.gov would enforce the rule that if a reserved spot is not filled within 24, then release that campsite for someone else. Reserved spots are left unattended for days which is not good.

@OakleyT5913406 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #23

We love this place. It is close to Bend and quiet and beautiful. The only negative aspect is that the guy next to us kept his generator on for hours at a time. There should be a time limit on generator use. Our camp host Becky was awesome!

@VERONICAD7C23A · Camped on Jul 29, 2024 at Campsite #9

The campsite was very private and close to the river, although could not be viewed from the site.

@HarrietW831954 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #19

A favorite place to camp.

@CharlesB214095 · Camped on Jul 12, 2024 at Campsite #11

The pit toilets at the north loop of Smiling River Campground are very old, in poor condition, and generally disgusting. This campground is very popular and, thus, its difficult to understand why the NFS would provide such poor sanitation. Needs a facility renovation!

@CatherineB78A4 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #29

We love Smiling River but this year the heat was so bad that we left 2 days early.

@RichardT729403 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #24

Temperature was 105 degrees 3 days in a row followed by 5 days in mid to upper 90s. Too hot so cut our stay by 2 days. Not the camps fault but made our stay disappointing anyway. Camp host had sign out more days than not saying camp host not on duty. Lots of people needing assistance seemed to not have help for days. No indicator for alternate contact should immediate need arose. This needs to be fixed.Trees in campsites need dead limbs removed for safety. During windy day this year, medium sized dead tree limb blew down on trailer roof. Two years ago large dead tree limb fell on trailer awning puncturing awning in two places. Very old Ponderosas in camp have many lower dead limbs from normal aging. No sign that these hazard dead limbs are being removed over the years.

@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Jun 28, 2024 at Campsite #14

Well-run campground. Toilets were primitive, but regularly cleaned. Sites were tidy. Scenery was lovely. Other campers were courteous.

@GERDAE9B149C0E · Camped on Jun 24, 2024 at Campsite #2

Its very lovely to be off the grid for the duration. A store is one mile away, a beautiful trail along the Metolius river. Birding was great, including the Merganser with her ducklings.

@JaneK3362934 · Camped on Jun 24, 2024 at Campsite #30

clean, well stocked pit toilets. Campsites well maintained, in fact there were markings in the dirt where the site had been raked clean. We wanted to switch sites upon arrival and the host helped us do that.

@MikeF4658277 · Camped on Jun 14, 2024 at Campsite #8

Great site close to the river. Lots of privacy. The only issue we could not put the awning all the way out because of the location of a big tree. If we had been tent camping, or had a trailer that was smaller this site would be 5 stars

@TishaT715A22F9 · Camped on Jun 10, 2024 at Campsite #8

Spot was not level so plan for this. All spots along the river are nice here. Some more shaded than others. Quiet, pretty clean restrooms. They ran out of wood, so problem if you try to abide by the rule do not bring own. Love staying here.

@VincentSD1800D · Camped on Jun 10, 2024 at Campsite #21

Very nice, quiet campground along the beautiful Metolius River. Our site #21 had a trail just steps away from the water. It had morning shade and mid-morning and afternoon sun so our solar panels brought our batteries up to 100% by 5pm.

@TishaT715A22F9 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #9

Nice spot, close to water and vault toilet. Bring levels as most spots need adjusting. River access, quiet spot, with some shade.

@MichaelB697476 · Camped on Jun 3, 2024 at Campsite #21

This is such a calm and peaceful campground, and we enjoy returning every year. We have been visiting the area for over 50 years and will continue to do so.

@TomF2764999 · Camped on Jun 2, 2024 at Campsite #24

Hadn't been to this particular site before, but it proved to be really nice. That is till the wind came up and blew our awning off, no fault of the campground just unexpected.

@JohnZ3B136F2EF · Camped on May 26, 2024 at Campsite #3

Quiet, relaxing, clean, felt safe. Friendly campers.

@MonikaM9905AAA · Camped on May 26, 2024 at Campsite #29

The area is beautiful! Amazing scenery!

@RobertW1226972 · Camped on Oct 8, 2023 at Campsite #20

Average in every way. Nothing special. OK.

@MarianneK0D119 · Camped on Sep 19, 2023 at Campsite #15

We always enjoy our time in the fall at Smiling River.

@SusanV9DD19D31 · Camped on Sep 15, 2023 at Campsite #3

We made an online reservation, but when we arrived Friday afternoon around 4, our site was taken. The camp host stated that three people had reserved it for the same weekend! Scrounged around and found a different site down at Pine Rest, but VERY upsetting when we rely on the reservation system to be sure and have a spot on a Friday after work and driving three hours to get there, and it isn't available.

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