Riverside Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

This was our second stay at Riverbend. It’s a great walk-in campground. However, when we arrived on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, we found that there had been a prescribed burn that ran right up to the middle of our campsite. The FS had failed to notify us. It was still smoldering and very smoky at night all weekend, which was uncomfortable and unhealthy for some of our group. Site 16 is halfway burned: there are 4 good tent sites and 2 are on burned grass. This is last site in the row of sites and the closest site to the burn. They used the trail from the road to the campsite as the firebreak so half of campsite 16 is entirely burned, ugly, and cinder-y.
I highly recommend that the FS close campsite 16 or at least make it first come first served so folks know what they’re getting. If you are expecting a pristine campsite, site 16 is half burnt out.

Spacious sites, next to the river, close to hiking and a camp store, water pump works well, beautiful setting!

Spacious sites, next to the river, close to hiking and a camp store, water pump works well, beautiful setting!

First night was great. Second night a group moved in to all of the other campsites. Way too many people in each site yelling, flying drones, walking through our campsite and allowing their off leash dogs to walk into our site. Decided to pack up and leave as we don’t go to the woods to be surrounded by so many more (inconsiderate) people.

First night was great. Second night a group moved in to all of the other campsites. Way too many people in each site yelling, flying drones, walking through our campsite and allowing their off leash dogs to walk into our site. Decided to pack up and leave as we don’t go to the woods to be surrounded by so many more (inconsiderate) people.

We love this campground and it’s low-key quiet vibe that comes with the longer walk-in sites. The river water is low here and when it’s hot, you can sit your chair in the middle of the river and read a book, or wade through the water.
There is one hand pump that is not marked on the map, but is near sites 12 and 13. The bathroom was not well-maintained or stocked while we were there.

We love this campground and it’s low-key quiet vibe that comes with the longer walk-in sites. The river water is low here and when it’s hot, you can sit your chair in the middle of the river and read a book, or wade through the water.
There is one hand pump that is not marked on the map, but is near sites 12 and 13. The bathroom was not well-maintained or stocked while we were there.

We had a great time.

The only issue we had was the vault toilets had not been pumped and the smell was horrendous. The smell often made its way into our meal times, campfire/smores time and hammock time.

We had a great time.

The only issue we had was the vault toilets had not been pumped and the smell was horrendous. The smell often made its way into our meal times, campfire/smores time and hammock time.

Spacious camping sites with easy walk in from the toad and, though few are within view of the river, all are within easy walking distance to seemingly endless riverside trail.
Very pleasant