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.

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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (118)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		54%
4 star		27%
3 star		13%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

@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!

@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.

@DonaldC5913877 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #22

I a want to commend Kristen (not sure on spelling) the camp host at Smiling River Campground. We stayed at site 22 for two and witnessed the diligent work he performed. Spoke to him a number of times and felt very welcomed. Please note that you have a very good employee!

@DennisN3965727 · Camped on Jun 2, 2025 at Campsite #19

nice quiet campground

@CraigS2150196 · Camped on May 30, 2025 at Campsite #24

Beautiful!

@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.

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Smiling River Campground, OR - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Smiling River

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (118)

4.3 out of 5

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