$29
Smiling River
Total sites: 36
Available Today: 13 FF*
Available this Weekend: 13 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 13 FF*
Available this Weekend: 13 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
2,945 ft
69°F
47°F
47°F
no signal
Deschutes National Forest › Sisters Ranger District › Oregon
› Deschutes County
› Sisters
› Smiling River Campground
Smiling River Campground, OR - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
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.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (131)
4.4 out of 5
| 5 star | 58% | |
| 4 star | 24% | |
| 3 star | 11% | |
| 2 star | 3% | |
| 1 star | 2% |
@KristenS426435 · Camped on Sep 4, 2025 at Campsite #8
Beautiful and clean!
@LARRYF9439898 · Camped on Aug 22, 2025 at Campsite #29
Smiling River, or all the campgrounds along the Metolious are clean and quiet with lots of open space.
@NormanF824E303 · Camped on Aug 18, 2025 at Campsite #29
Bathrooms poorly maintained. Camp host mostly absent.
@TannerE2B7E914 · Camped on Aug 16, 2025 at Campsite #2
Amazing time overall
@HeatherS702716 · Camped on Aug 12, 2025 at Campsite #8
Clean, quiet (we were there midweek so I cant speak to weekend activity levels), with easy access to the river. We walked the river trail to the store, which is an easy, no elevation change walk. Its a short drive from Sisters if you want to do other activities or like us, forget essential groceries.
@MichelleO16754 · Camped on Aug 11, 2025 at Campsite #13
Wonder weather and campsite
@DougJ2441922 · Camped on Aug 7, 2025 at Campsite #20
Yellow Jackets were bad
@DougJ2441922 · Camped on Aug 7, 2025 at Campsite #21
Always one of our favorite places.
@KimL6588987 · Camped on Aug 1, 2025 at Campsite #28
Beautiful campground setting. There are so many recreational activities from biking (road, gravel and mountain) to fishing to hiking as well as a couple of lakes in the area. There is water at the campground and at least one of the spigots has a threaded head to use a hose to fill your fresh water tank.
@KimL6588987 · Camped on Aug 1, 2025 at Campsite #28
Beautiful campground setting. There are so many recreational activities from biking (road, gravel and mountain) to fishing to hiking as well as a couple of lakes in the area. There is water at the campground and at least one of the spigots has a threaded head to use a hose to fill your fresh water tank.
@dennisr8142257 · Camped on Jul 23, 2025 at Campsite #25
Our favourite campground! Just walking along the river is so peaceful. Bathrooms are basic but clean.
@RichardR254074 · Camped on Jul 22, 2025 at Campsite #23
During our stay at the Smiling River Campground our daughter needed to notify us of an emergency that had happened at home. I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the Smiling River Camp Host (Chris), Forest Service personnel, and employees at the Camp Sherman Store who all went out of their way to get the message to us as we did not have cell phone service at this camp ground.
@ClementL943466 · Camped on Jul 20, 2025 at Campsite #6
Quiet Campground! Clean Bathrooms!
@Christoph25110 · Camped on Jul 13, 2025 at Campsite #18
Wonderful setting. Great staff.
@JamesK1667053 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #15
The host is very diligent at keeping the campground & vaults super neat, tidy, and clean. He is also very personable. My stay was relaxing & pleasant. "I'll be back."
@PamelaW8258300 · Camped on Jul 10, 2025 at Campsite #21
Love camping on the river. Campground was very quiet and everyone was pleasant.Too many flies in the vault toilet along with being smelly. Need to check the toilet paper more often on busy weekend.
@DebbieS6293867 · Camped on Jul 10, 2025 at Campsite #18
Beautiful campsite. Our favorite. The camp host was so nice, professional and helpful. Wish this campsite was opened all year!!!
@PhyllisW290499 · Camped on Jul 9, 2025 at Campsite #20
We always love it here! The campground is clean and well kept. We've been camping here for over 45 years. Wouldn't be summer without a trip to the Metolious!
@Elizabeth31535 · Camped on Jul 8, 2025 at Campsite #31
My family comes back to smiling river every year and it doesn't disappoint. Nice quiet campground right on the river and only a few minutes down the road from suttle lake. The facility is well maintained and the camp hosts are always so kind. It's also conveniently located close enough to Sisters if you forgot anything and need to make a quick run in to town.
@TheresaS508148 · Camped on Jul 7, 2025 at Campsite #2
We had a wonderful time! Our camp host was a really nice guy. Sites and toilets were kept clean. We will see you again next year!
@EmilyK1749999 · Camped on Jul 3, 2025 at Campsite #12
Nice, straightforward campground. Vault toilets and potable water spigots. Friendly host. Our site (#12) was okay. Nice privacy from neighbors but the riverside trail went right along the edge of the site so lots of passersby. Couldn't actually see the river from the site due to bushes, but the sound was nice. Occasional toilet smells when the wind blew the wrong direction since the toilet was very close. Could fit ~3 tents in the site if they weren't too large. Overall would stay again.
@ScotTCF266AA0A · Camped on Jul 3, 2025 at Campsite #15
Stayed at site 15 over July 4 weekend. Has a bit of a grade toward the river, not horrible though. Minimal river entry, and the water is swift and very cold. Christian is a friendly camp host and dropped by each day to ensure we had what we needed (firewood, clean toilets, areas of interest). The vault toilets were kept very clean too. Near enough to the camp store to ride bikes, but not to walk. Sites are spread out enough for privacy and have decent shade.
@MIKEH4414321 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #25
Camp host was only on duty a few hours of the day. Would post signs saying off duty. Told me I was not able to fill my trailer with water, which I have done every year there for over 20+years. He said his bosses said it could contaminate water supply at campground. Bathrooms were not clean compared to previous years. Other than that still the best place in the world.
@JimW6270918 · Camped on Jun 24, 2025 at Campsite #12
Beautiful campground. A few too many generators running incessantly. Wish I understood why those folks dont stay home to watch TV in their AC cooled homes and eat their microwaved meals.
@stephena903642 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #12
Had a very relaxing time with friends.
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