Smiling River Campground
Smiling River Campground is a national forest campground in Oregon. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- Oregon
- Coordinates
- 44.49333, -121.64056
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 541-323-1746
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Smiling River Campground
Overview 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. Recreation Hiking and fishing top the list of recreational activities for visitors. For anglers, the spring-fed Metolius river offers a stunning setting for fly-fishing. Its clear, cold water supports rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout and kokanee salmon. For day hikers and backpackers, the area offers a wide variety of scenic terrain, ranging from riverside trails to routes in subalpine forests. Facilities Smiling River Campground offers sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, however hookups are not available. Picnic areas, trails and scenic overlooks, along with the conveniences of firewood, drinking water and flush toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having many of the conveniences of home. Natural Features Many sites at this campground look out to Metolius River, a tributary of the Deschutes River. The headwaters of the river are at Metolius Springs at the base of Black Butte, a 3,076-foot cinder cone. The clear, cold river flows north from the springs through diverse coniferous forest and a landscape of volcanic activity. The area provides habitat for mammals such as mule deer, coyote and cougar. Migratory birds and native fish also call the area home. Nearby Attractions The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hik
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Chevron Sisters · 14 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 705 designated routes (679 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allingham Campground | National forest campground | 0.4 mi | — | No hookups |
| Lower Canyon Creek Campground | National forest campground | 0.6 mi | — | No hookups |
| Gorge Campground | National forest campground | 0.6 mi | — | No hookups |
| Gorge Campground | Private campground | 0.6 mi | — | — |
| Lower Canyon Creek Campground | Private campground | 0.6 mi | — | — |
| Lower Canyon Creek | National forest campground | 0.6 mi | — | — |
Open Smiling River Campground in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.