About Smiling River Campground
Number of accommodations: 28
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Smiling River Campground.
Rates, Sites & Availability
28 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
28 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (340)
What Guests Are Saying
Smiling River Campground is highly praised for its clean, quiet, and beautiful setting along the Metolious River, making it a favorite destination for many campers. The campground offers a variety of recreational activities and easy access to nearby amenities. While some reviews mention issues with bathroom maintenance and occasional nuisances like flies, the overall experience is positive, highlighting the friendly camp host and well-kept facilities.
What Guests Are Saying
Smiling River Campground is highly praised for its clean, quiet, and beautiful setting along the Metolious River, making it a favorite destination for many campers. The campground offers a variety of recreational activities and easy access to nearby amenities. While some reviews mention issues with bathroom maintenance and occasional nuisances like flies, the overall experience is positive, highlighting the friendly camp host and well-kept facilities.
Review Summary
Harriet W
VerifiedAugust 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
A favorite place to camp.
Harriet W
VerifiedAugust 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
A favorite place to camp.
Veronica D
VerifiedAugust 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.
Veronica D
VerifiedAugust 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.
Catherine E
VerifiedJuly 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.
Richard T
VerifiedJuly 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.
Catherine E
VerifiedJuly 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.
Richard T
VerifiedJuly 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.
Charles B
VerifiedJuly 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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!
Charles B
VerifiedJuly 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND
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!
Location Smiling River Campground
Address:
Po Box 249
Sisters, OR, 97759
United States
Smiling River Campground is located approximately 20 miles from US Highway 20, which provides access to the area.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.4933 / -121.641
Elevation: 897 feet
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
