Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233197
When Smiling River Campground reopens
Smiling River Campground's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
5
Openings · last 90 days
97
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dThursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 31 of 97 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Thursday (32.0%), with Wednesday (18) and Friday (18) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 08:00 and 14:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 38 of 97 detected openings (39.2%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Pacific Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 7 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 5–16 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 025 | 14 | 14.4% |
| 017 | 12 | 12.4% |
| 023 | 9 | 9.3% |
| 012 | 7 | 7.2% |
| 008 | 7 | 7.2% |
Site 025 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 14. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Apr 30 – May 3, 2027 · of 35 monitored sites
Of the 136 tracked site-nights (Apr 30 – May 3, 2027): 136 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 35 monitored sites, 28 can be reserved online and 6 are first-come, first-served (1 closed).
No online availability in the tracked window
None of the 136 site-nights Campsite Sniper tracks here — which start Apr 30, 2027, not today — are open for online reservation. Earlier dates are outside this snapshot entirely and are not known to be unavailable; check Recreation.gov for those. A free alert tells you if any tracked date opens online.
Load status
Apr 30 – May 3, 2027Not open online100%
Open site-nights0 / 136
Of the 136 tracked site-nights (Apr 30 – May 3, 2027): 136 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Open dates by month
Apr 2027 – May 2027No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open site-nights across the tracked window — these site-nights are on sites not offered for online reservation.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 34 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts Apr 30, 2027. That is about 179 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before Apr 30, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-nights shown on this page describe Apr 30, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
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.
35 monitored sites6 FCFS sitesRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups34 shadedWaterfrontRiverfrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 6
Getting there
From Sisters, Oregon, travel 9.6 miles northwest on Highway 20, then turn right on SW Camp Sherman Rd / Road 14 for about 5 miles, then follow right onto SW Camp Sherman Rd / R F D 1419 for about half a mile. Make a left onto NF-1419 / 113, then a slight right onto SW Metolius River Rd / NF-900 and follow into the campground.
Po Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759541-323-1746
BikingCampingFishingHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233197 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233197 · Smiling River Campground · Sisters OR12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Smiling River Campground?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 136 tracked site-nights open for online reservation at Smiling River Campground. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Campsite Sniper has also detected 97 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 22:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Smiling River Campground?
Campsite Sniper detected 97 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Smiling River Campground?
Thursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 31 of 97 (32%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Which sites at Smiling River Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
8 of the 34 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 50 ft.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Smiling River Campground?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 7 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 5-16 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Smiling River Campground?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Smiling River Campground begins Apr 30, 2027 — about 179 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before Apr 30, 2027.
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