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

Kim L

Verified

August 19, 2025 Stayed at: 028, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Beautiful campground setting. There are so many recreational activities from biking (road, gravel and mountain) to fishing to hiking as well as a couple of lakes in the area. There is water at the campground and at least one of the spigots has a threaded head to use a hose to fill your fresh water tank.

Helpful

Kim L

Verified

August 19, 2025 Stayed at: 028, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Beautiful campground setting. There are so many recreational activities from biking (road, gravel and mountain) to fishing to hiking as well as a couple of lakes in the area. There is water at the campground and at least one of the spigots has a threaded head to use a hose to fill your fresh water tank.

Helpful

Richard R

Verified

August 5, 2025 Stayed at: 023, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

During our stay at the Smiling River Campground our daughter needed to notify us of an emergency that had happened at home. I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the Smiling River Camp Host (Chris), Forest Service personnel, and employees at the Camp Sherman Store who all went out of their way to get the message to us as we did not have cell phone service at this camp ground.

Helpful

Richard R

Verified

August 5, 2025 Stayed at: 023, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

During our stay at the Smiling River Campground our daughter needed to notify us of an emergency that had happened at home. I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the Smiling River Camp Host (Chris), Forest Service personnel, and employees at the Camp Sherman Store who all went out of their way to get the message to us as we did not have cell phone service at this camp ground.

Helpful

Dennis R

Verified

August 3, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Our favourite campground! Just walking along the river is so peaceful. Bathrooms are basic but clean.

Helpful

Dennis R

Verified

August 3, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

Our favourite campground! Just walking along the river is so peaceful. Bathrooms are basic but clean.

Helpful

Elizabeth B

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

My family comes back to smiling river every year and it doesn't disappoint. Nice quiet campground right on the river and only a few minutes down the road from suttle lake. The facility is well maintained and the camp hosts are always so kind. It's also conveniently located close enough to Sisters if you forgot anything and need to make a quick run in to town.

Helpful

Elizabeth B

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND

My family comes back to smiling river every year and it doesn't disappoint. Nice quiet campground right on the river and only a few minutes down the road from suttle lake. The facility is well maintained and the camp hosts are always so kind. It's also conveniently located close enough to Sisters if you forgot anything and need to make a quick run in to town.

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

Message us

Need help?

Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Message us

Replies within minutes

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

Weather & Conditions

Loading destination weather
USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by the USDA Forest Service