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The Metolius River corridor near Camp Sherman, Oregon features multiple small National Forest campgrounds spread along the riverbanks, creating a network of camping areas rather than large consolidated facilities. Camp Sherman Campground, Allen Springs, Smiling River, and several other developed sites provide access to the renowned fly-fishing waters of the Metolius. Most campgrounds accommodate tents and smaller RVs, while Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort offers cabin options approximately 15 miles south. The Camp Sherman General Store serves as a central hub for supplies, located within walking distance of several riverside campgrounds.
Road access throughout the area remains good during summer months, though campfire restrictions are common due to wildfire concerns. Most Metolius River campgrounds have vault toilets and limited amenities, with no hookups or running water at many sites. "There is not water at this campground or any of the others along the Metolius River. The only place you can fill up on potable water is at the Camp Sherman store," noted one visitor. Cell service is virtually nonexistent along the river corridor, though some spots near higher elevations provide limited connectivity. Campgrounds typically operate from May through September, with a few remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends.
Riverside camping represents the primary draw for visitors, with most campgrounds offering direct water access and proximity to the Metolius River Trail. Several campers mentioned the exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly for fly fishing enthusiasts targeting rainbow trout and bull trout. The area experiences significant insect activity during early summer, with multiple reviews warning about mosquitoes and yellow jackets. A visitor commented, "Around the beginning of summer, the mosquitoes start coming out, and they are unbearable. Bring lots of bug spray." Wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery provide additional recreational opportunities. The Metolius River itself remains cold year-round, making it better suited for fishing than swimming, especially for families with small children.
"Great trails for hiking along the river banks. Nice and quiet. Campsites are spread out and quite large."
"Great river walk. Many nearby attractions. Camp Sherman store .8 Miles from campground. Good all around campstore and deli. River is fly fishing only."
from $27 - $29 / night
Check Availability"The campground is very clean and right on the west edge of Sisters, Oregon. Very good location, right near the highway, but easy walking into all the fine shops in Sisters."
"The campground is in Sisters, OR., which is a great little town in Central Oregon, a jumping off location for lots of outdoor activities."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"So empty sites with a few belongings and no people...while others were driving around hoping for an empty site. Easy trailer/RV parking, as it's just roadside above the site. "
"This is a very pretty medium-sized lake. The sites are fairly large and well spaced, so you don't feel too cramped."
from $30 - $32 / night
Check Availability"This campground sits next to Suttle Lake. It was a great campground that was a short walk to the lodge where there are water sports rentals, a camp store, and small deli. "
"Being Oregon, it was pretty cool while we were there. Because of this, there was no swimming in the lake. However, we had quite the view! Be aware that there is a ridiculous amount of chipmunks here."
from $30 - $62 / night
Check Availability"This hidden gem can’t be seen from the highway. But it’s a quick drive down a improved road to it,s clear refreshing waters with fishing and plenty places to swim."
"This was a great little lakeside campground with easy water access, and bathrooms (pit toilets) onsite. It is really dusty, which was expected."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"There is an on site pool and outdoor gathering place, a general store, propane vending, a dog walking path and large property behind the park to take pets with a reminder to clean up and pack it out."
"From the put-put golf course near the check-in, to the store and the lovely lake, this is a great place for kids as well as adults."
from $43 - $78 / night
Check Availability"While there were some harrowing moments getting to this campground with our 16' pull-behind toy hauler(last mile or so is dirt road with a couple of knarly soft sand areas that you have to plow through"
"The river is very swift and dangerous- is be very worried about young children near the banks. The creek side is calmer but ice cold and swift as well. Rugged.
7 is our favorite."
from $21 - $23 / night
Check Availability"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Oregon. We did have a harder time backing in our 35ft trailer due to the more narrow road but over all wasn’t that bad."
"Very solid, typical Oregon state campground."
from $32 - $128 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful, peaceful campground open year round on the Metolius River, about 15 mins. from Camp Sherman store. Only a few sites are large enough for smaller trailers/RVs (7,11,12,9 &13)."
"Incredibly peaceful, close to the Camp Sherman store for supplies. Wood available for purchase at the camp host."
from $28 - $32 / night
Check Availability"No running water source but nearby creek is great for rinsing off and cooling down. Camping lots were very spacious and relatively quiet and bathrooms were adequate."
"This campsite is tucked away and close to several trailheads (jack lake, bear valley). We just went this last week on a Wednesday so it was very quiet."
from $21 - $23 / night
Check Availability
Travelerdown a little road to a private spot on the water, you can hear the creek rushing, the waterfall flowing and it drowns out the traffic noise. Super magical! A nice swimming hole, fire pit and plenty of room for multiple people, cars, vans etc. please leave no trace and bury your shitttttt!
LegendNice spot on USFS land very near to sisters Oregon. Nice flat terrain and easy access with our 30-ft trailer. Within an eighth of a mile of some homes on the other side of the main inroad, but very quiet and private.
TravelerThis site is well maintained with a host on-site. Bathrooms were clean and trash was removed regularly. Sites are tightly spaced, but with decent separation. Will visit again.
TravelerAmazing campground! Our first with our new puppy here. We’ve stayed once before, and it was so relaxing this time. It was still just as easy. People are conscious about keeping their dogs on leash or have amazing recall. However our site was a bit smelly from the bathrooms due to the wind, but overall an great memorial day weekend!
GuideWe are camping at Detroit Lake Southshore campground. And I recommend everyone to come out enjoy this beautiful area. It’s perfect to go swimming, Fishing, Boating, Water Skiing, and a lot more. You can also rent out boats, Jet-skies, pontoons.
TravelerVery peaceful with plenty of room between campsites, actually cannot see the next campsite over! Vault toilets are clean. Camp Host is EXCELLENT. Do not follow Apple Maps to this campground…watch for the signs on the road instead. Apple Maps has you going way past and turning the wrong way.
TravelerI've been here a few times and loved it. Now I'm going back to camp for a few days. It's perfect. May of 2026 - hardly any mosquitos compared to the rest of the area. No one else there and plenty of space when I was there. Hopefully its the same today when I go back. I'm sure its busy during the summer but its a dream right now
GuideThis is a lovely state park that is well manicured. We have a Transit van, but boon dock. There were not RV sites available so we got a tent site. The site was very tidy. The bathrooms were immaculate. We only stayed the night. Rangers do patrol the area routinely (about every 30 minutes). The park was a very calm place to be while we were there (1 day). Definitely would return. If you use satellite, some sites have trees while others have a bit more clear sky. Also, the bathrooms are very walk-able from many of the tent sites as the site is compact. Would definitely camp here again.
GuideAdding a more balanced take after staying here overnight.
We’ve seen a few very positive reviews of this area, but our experience landed somewhere more in the middle — honestly leaning a bit rough around the edges.
The site felt somewhat grungy and under-maintained in places, with scattered belongings that made it seem like a few long-term or semi-permanent campers may be using it. There was also enough trash that I ended up picking some up just out of respect for the area.
In terms of layout and access:
We were in the off-season, and even then there were still several people dispersed throughout the area. Driving through, we also noticed multiple pullouts near the road and closer to the Lava Lands Visitor Center that looked like people were camping in informally — though I’m not sure what the actual rules are there when the visitor center is open vs. closed seasonally.
Location-wise, it’s basically right off the highway. That means:
For us, it worked as a simple overnight stop, but it didn’t feel like a place to settle in. I wouldn’t choose it for a campfire evening or anything slow-paced. With a kid, it also didn’t quite feel like the most comfortable or secure environment for lingering beyond a night’s sleep.
Good for transit. Not really a destination.
Camping spots near Camp Sherman, Oregon offer exceptional fly-fishing access at elevations between 2,900 and 3,000 feet with old-growth ponderosa pine forests surrounding the sites. Most campgrounds remain snow-free between late May and mid-October, with seasonal temperatures typically ranging from 40°F nights to 85°F days during peak summer months.
Hiking the Metolius River Trail: Access trailheads directly from Allen Springs Campground for scenic river views. "Trail runs right through the campground, but we saw no one. Good hike along the river," notes one visitor who enjoyed the secluded path.
Fishing at Suttle Lake: Bring fishing gear to South Shore Suttle Lake for trout fishing from shore or boat. A camper mentioned, "Canoe around the lake and landed some fish," making it ideal for anglers of all experience levels.
Explore the headwaters: Take a short walk from Jack Creek Campground to see where Jack Creek begins. "We walked the easy hike up to the headwaters of Jack Creek. Pretty neat to see it get its start right out of the mountainside!" reports one visitor who enjoyed this geological feature.
Visit the fish hatchery: The Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery near Camp Sherman offers educational opportunities. "Right next to hatchery, so you can see every step of a fish! Baby until they take them to stock other ponds/reservoirs etc. So interesting for kids to show them each growing stage for the fish!!"
Privacy between campsites: Candle Creek Campground offers well-spaced campsites along the water. "Sites are large with plenty of room between sites. No running water and one pit toilet," reports a camper who appreciated the quiet setting.
Sound of flowing water: Many campers value the white noise from the rivers. "We could hear the wildlife hustle and bustle as we were tucked away in our tent," shared one visitor at Camp Sherman Campground, while another noted, "The river at night is so peaceful."
Level tent spots: Most riverside campgrounds feature flat, spacious tent pads. "HUGE sites (we could have had 6 more people with us each in their own tent), right on the rushing whitewater of the Metolius," reports a camper who stayed at Candle Creek Campground.
Proximity to hiking trails: Camping locations provide immediate trail access. "Situated right between the Metolius and Candle Creek (which is really a small river), so all sites are essentially waterfront," notes one camper who enjoyed exploring the surrounding trails.
Limited water sources: Many Metolius campgrounds lack potable water. At Blue Bay Campground, visitors note "Potable water is available at spigots throughout the campground," but this isn't true at all locations.
Road conditions vary: Some campsites require navigating rough roads. "The road was pretty darn rough this year. Trucks or good clearance recommended," warns a Candle Creek visitor, while another adds, "While there were some harrowing moments getting to this campground with our 16' pull-behind toy hauler."
Seasonal insect activity: Yellow jackets and mosquitoes appear during summer months. A Blue Bay camper warned, "Lots of mosquitoes and other reviews mentioned chipmunks," while another noted "Bring bug repellant!"
Extreme fire restrictions: During summer months, campfire bans are common. Bring alternative cooking methods for safety. "Due to changes in weather, Oregon has had a record year for yellow jackets and wasps," noted one camper, indicating the dry conditions that contribute to fire danger.
Child-friendly fishing spots: Camp Sherman Campground offers accessible fishing for beginners. "Great trails for hiking along the river banks. Nice and quiet. Campsites are spread out and quite large," explains one visitor who enjoyed family activities along the water.
Low-traffic campsites: Look for sites away from main roads for child safety. "This campground was very quiet and in a beautiful location next to Jack Creek. The campsites were big and private," shares a visitor who appreciated the secure setting.
Educational opportunities: Visit the fish hatchery for hands-on learning. "The Metolius itself is beautiful. At this viewing Bridge by the Hatchery, you can see very small baby fish all the way up to full size before they stock the lakes with them."
Trail difficulty considerations: The 3.6-mile Suttle Lake loop trail offers family-friendly hiking. "The 3 mile trail around the lake is flat and enjoyable. Rentable canoes and kayaks at the lodge!" notes a visitor about the accessible recreation options.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort accommodates larger rigs with full hookups. "Site 11 is perfect for those who prefer to be near a spa-like bath house in an RV park. Heated floors, huge showers. Fantastic," reports one satisfied RV camper.
Leveling challenges: Many forest service campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Not all sites are leveled for every parking. Check site length to your needs and bring leveling blocks in case!" advises a camper who stayed at Big Lake Campground.
Generator restrictions: Most riverside campgrounds prohibit or restrict generator use. "Generators are really not appropriate next to tent campers," notes one visitor who experienced noise issues at Three Sisters Overnight Park.
Dry camping preparation: Most sites near the Metolius River lack hookups. "The sites are close together, with no hookups or running water at many sites," notes a visitor, emphasizing the need to bring sufficient water for your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Camp Sherman?
Camp Sherman offers numerous riverside camping options along the Metolius River. Allen Springs Campground is open year-round with a few sites suitable for smaller trailers/RVs, though it's primarily tent camping. For more exploration options, Jack Creek Campground provides a great base for visiting Suttle Lake. Other nearby options include Riverside, Lower Bridge, Smiling River, and Pioneer Ford campgrounds, all situated along the Metolius River. If you prefer camping closer to civilization, Indian Ford Campground offers proximity to Sisters, while South Shore and Blue Bay campgrounds at Suttle Lake provide lakeside experiences. Most Camp Sherman area campgrounds are within the Deschutes National Forest.
What amenities and facilities are available at Camp Sherman campgrounds?
Campgrounds in the Camp Sherman area offer varying levels of amenities. Riverside Campground is considered "primitive with convenience" - it lacks running water but sits directly on the Metolius River and is just 10 miles from Sisters for additional services. Smiling River Campground features 35 sites with river views and scenic sunsets. Most Camp Sherman area campgrounds have vault toilets (though quality varies), fire rings, and picnic tables. Firewood is often available for purchase from camp hosts. The Camp Sherman store, accessible from several campgrounds, provides supplies, souvenirs, and deli options. Water sources vary by location - some have potable water while others rely on natural sources like creeks. Cell service is limited in most areas, with Verizon spotty or non-existent near some campgrounds.
Where are the best campgrounds in Camp Sherman, Oregon?
The Camp Sherman area features several outstanding campgrounds along the Metolius River. Camp Sherman Campground offers spacious sites, river edge locations, and easy access to hiking trails along the river banks. It's within walking distance to the Camp Sherman store for supplies and souvenirs. Lower Bridge Campground is highly praised for its 12 large, spread-out sites that provide excellent privacy, even during busy holiday weekends. The peaceful sound of the Metolius River accompanies campers to sleep. Other excellent options include Riverside Campground for a primitive-yet-convenient experience, and Allingham Campground, which offers intimate camping with river access and is part of the network of smaller Forest Service campgrounds designed to maximize enjoyment of the Metolius.
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