Riverside Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

About Riverside Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

Overview Located on the upper Metolius River, Riverside Campground is one of a sting of camps that dot the river offering 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. The 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 Riverside Campground is one of our few walk-in tent-only facilities therefore we cannot accommodate RVs or trailers. Campers must haul their camping gear a short distance to the camping site. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and the campground has vault toilets available.Natural Features The headwaters of the adjacent Metolius 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 Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. 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

How to Get There

From Sisters, OR: Travel 9.6 miles northwest on Highway 20, then 4.4 miles north on Forest Road 14.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to Riverside Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

Heading to Riverside Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)