Smiling River Hero
SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
Smiling River Hero

About Smiling River Campground

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.

Available sites

28 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

28 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 002, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 007, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 008, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 009, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 011, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 013, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 014, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 015, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 016, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 017, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 018, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 019, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 020, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 021, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 022, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 023, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 024, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 025, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 028, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 029, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 030, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 031, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 032, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

382 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Smiling River Campground offers a beautiful setting with clean and well-maintained facilities, attracting many campers who appreciate the quiet and peaceful atmosphere by the river. Guests have praised the helpful camp host and the enjoyable outdoor activities available, such as hiking and biking. However, some concerns have been raised about the maintenance of the bathrooms and issues with the reservation system, which could detract from the overall experience.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 382 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 54.5% (208)
4 stars 27.5% (105)
3 stars 11.0% (42)
2 stars 4.7% (18)
1 star 2.4% (9)

Showing 382 reviews

Debbie S

Verified

July 18, 2025 Stayed at: 018, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Beautiful campsite. Our favorite. The camp host was so nice, professional and helpful. Wish this campsite was opened all year!!!

Helpful

Debbie S

Verified

July 18, 2025 Stayed at: 018, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Beautiful campsite. Our favorite. The camp host was so nice, professional and helpful. Wish this campsite was opened all year!!!

Helpful

Mike H

Verified

July 15, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Mike H

Verified

July 15, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Scot T

Verified

July 13, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Scot T

Verified

July 13, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Emily K

Verified

July 7, 2025 Stayed at: 012, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Emily K

Verified

July 7, 2025 Stayed at: 012, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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.

Helpful

Jim W

Verified

July 4, 2025 Stayed at: 012, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Beautiful campground. A few too many generators running incessantly. Wish I understood why those folks don’t stay home to watch TV in their AC cooled homes and eat their microwaved meals. 😜

Helpful

Donald C

Verified

July 4, 2025 Stayed at: 022, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

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!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Smiling River Campground

Po Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759 United States

Elevation: 897 ft

Nearest town

Sisters, OR - 19 mi

About 26 min to downtown

Highway access

Smiling River Campground is located approximately 20 miles from US Highway 20, which provides access to the area.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 3, 2026

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Explore Sisters, OR

Sisters, Oregon

Population: 3,022

Nearby city: Bend, OR

Approx. 34 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 3,186 ft

Sisters, OR

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service