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382 reviews
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
Based on 382 reviews
Showing 382 reviews
August 14, 2024 Stayed at: 023, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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!
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August 14, 2024 Stayed at: 022, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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.
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August 8, 2024 Stayed at: 019, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
A favorite place to camp.
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August 8, 2024 Stayed at: 019, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
A favorite place to camp.
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August 6, 2024 Stayed at: 009, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
The campsite was very private and close to the river, although could not be viewed from the site.
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August 6, 2024 Stayed at: 009, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
The campsite was very private and close to the river, although could not be viewed from the site.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: 029, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
We love Smiling River but this year the heat was so bad that we left 2 days early.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: 024, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: 029, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
We love Smiling River but this year the heat was so bad that we left 2 days early.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: 024, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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.
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Po Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759 United States
Elevation: 897 ft
Smiling River Campground is located approximately 20 miles from US Highway 20, which provides access to the area.
Last updated: November 3, 2026
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Population: 3,022
Nearby city: Bend, OR
Approx. 34 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 3,186 ft
Sisters, OR
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