Smiling River Campground

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

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 camp’s 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.

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 camp’s 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.

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

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

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, it’s difficult to understand why the NFS would provide such poor sanitation. Needs a facility renovation!

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, it’s difficult to understand why the NFS would provide such poor sanitation. Needs a facility renovation!

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.

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.

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.