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Smiling River Campground

Deschutes National Forest, Oregon

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As of October 2026, Smiling River Campground is a campground in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon with 28 campsites. Smiling River Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Smiling River Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Smiling River Campground is located at 44.4933° N, 121.6406° W.

people allowed on each site: 6

Smiling River Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 4 (11 sites)Oct 5 (13 sites)Oct 6 (14 sites)

11 sites open on Oct 4 at Smiling River Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 23:55 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

Taxes apply
Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
Minimum stay: 1 consecutive nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Smiling River Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Smiling River Campground

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Standard 28

What an RV fits

26 ft3 sites
30 ft13 sites
34 ft6 sites
36 ft1 site
40 ft4 sites
50 ft1 site

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife, photography, stargazing, horse riding.

All sites at Smiling River Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the SMILING RIVER CAMPGROUND loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV
001	Standard	6	30 ft
002	Standard	6	30 ft
003	Standard	6	30 ft
006	Standard	6	26 ft
007	Standard	6	34 ft
008	Standard	6	34 ft
009	Standard	6	30 ft
010	Standard	6	34 ft
011	Standard	6	30 ft
012	Standard	6	26 ft
013	Standard	6	26 ft
014	Standard	6	30 ft
015	Standard	6	34 ft
016	Standard	6	34 ft

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV
017	Standard	6	30 ft
018	Standard	6	40 ft
019	Standard	6	30 ft
020	Standard	6	30 ft
021	Standard	6	36 ft
022	Standard	6	30 ft
023	Standard	6	30 ft
024	Standard	6	40 ft
025	Standard	6	40 ft
028	Standard	6	50 ft
029	Standard	6	40 ft
030	Standard	6	30 ft
031	Standard	6	30 ft
032	Standard	6	34 ft

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 hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length, and begins near the Metolius River

headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon. The trail was created in the 1980s primarily to

serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail.

Lava Lands Visitor Center in Bend, Oregon, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the

area through interpretive programs and exhibits.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Rules and notices at Smiling River Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Smiling River Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org

Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Click here for more information about Deschutes National Forest

Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Camping or occupying any location on all National Forest lands for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year is prohibited.

NO generator use is allowed in campgrounds between 10:00PM and 7:00AM (36 CFR 261.10). Silent power banks or battery powered devices are allowed.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Smiling River Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Smiling River Campground?

Smiling River Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 28 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Smiling River Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Smiling River Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Smiling River Campground have?

Smiling River Campground has 28 campsites.