Several good campgrounds are located near Sisters, Oregon for campers looking for different experiences. Tumalo State Park Campground has clean sites with bathrooms and shower facilities that many campers appreciate. Creekside Sisters City Park sits closer to town, making it easy to walk to restaurants and shops when you need a break from camping. Some camping spots have trees that block views of neighboring campers, while other areas are more open with less privacy between sites. You should book your camping spot ahead of time, as summer weekends fill up quickly throughout the area. Hikers and fishing fans will find plenty to do during the day before returning to camp. The Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort works well for bigger rigs with its full hookup sites and more developed facilities. Trees provide decent shade at most campgrounds, but bringing a canopy or awning helps during hot afternoons in July and August. Site sizes differ between campgrounds, so check dimensions when booking if you have specific space needs. Sisters camping works well for both basic tent setups and larger RVs depending on which campground you choose.
$24 - $80 / night
"Convenient to Bend & Sisters. Outstanding area for so much activity, & some serious scenic overload. Our 3rd Oregon SP on our journey, best so far."
"Lower loop is next to the river but doesn't have fancy restrooms. The campground can be noisy with trucks on the nearby road. The sites are large."
$25 - $55 / night
"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."
$43 - $78 / night
"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."
"Great place to get away and explore Bend and Sisters Oregon"
"Love this dispersed camping area just south of Sisters, OR. We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around."
"Great location close to the town of Sisters with many many places to camp. It's bone dry right now so there are no fires allowed. Also pretty dusty. Super quiet with no one around but me."
"There were a few camp spots, they’re kinda close to each other but enough distance for some privacy."
"Parking is roadside, but there’s plenty of places to roam and set up a tent. Beautiful views and adjacent to the Deschutes River. Fell asleep to the sound of rushing water. Priceless!"
$8 / night
"Day 4 - Pacific North Quest (South Sister) This classic Eastern Oregon gem is located just north of Bend on the Crooked River."
"Smith Rock always surprises me- here you are, driving through the farmlands of Central Oregon and BAM. There is Smith, rising out of the ground."
$30 - $32 / night
"This is a very pretty medium-sized lake. The sites are fairly large and well spaced, so you don't feel too cramped."
"Loved this spot, it’s a little gem next to Sisters. There are some incredible sites available right on the water. Great for paddle boarding and kayaking. Super quiet/large site areas. Friendly hosts."
$25 - $27 / night
"The Campground is located off the McKenzie hwy a few miles west of Sisters. The sites are shaded by the Ponderosa, with quite a bit of room and a good distance from each other."
"Close to Sisters, clean and well taken care of"
$21 - $23 / night
"Assuming you are not looking for a quite, peaceful, experience away from road noise, this is a great campground."
"Close to Sisters, Camp Sherman and Suttle Lake."
$30 - $62 / night
"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. "
"The lake was beautiful and we enjoyed going up to the lodge to rent canoes! We will definitely return here. It’s also about a 10 minute drive to sisters if you forget anything!"
ScoutI slept at Tumalo state park many times, in many different ways and I think its an amazing place to reserve a few nights at if your traveling through!
River!!! Animals!!! Beautiful hikes!!!
RangerWe stayed here Monday through Thursday the Entire month of Sept. 2025, We were Working out of the rig and had the starlink and worked perfectly and with 2 people zooming all day, we stay at a different campsite each week, and dry camped but always stocked up on water and emptied the grey tanks in a Full HU site before we left, We did stay at a full HU site one week. every site was great, nice space among everyone, and the bathrooms and shower are fantastic and well kept up and clean! The river is right there and the fishing was FUN, lots of Fish, beautiful fish and C & R of course. The Only negative is the price , and even 20% more if out of state, but this is a GOOD ONE!
RangerWas there in Sept. of 2025, on a weekend, and this small cute little campground had a wedding going on in the meadows and every site said reserved but it was 2 days into their reservation but no one was in them, a couple of us decided to stay there anyway and no one every showed up. Very primitive but VERY COOL, i loved it and had a spectacular walk the next morning
GuideParked our Winnebago Ekko here for two nights over MLK day weekend. Not busy on a Friday night. It was plowed and dog friendly with bathrooms unlocked at night. Warming hut during the day - primarily for day use but camping in vehicle, tent, or snow hut allowed allowed. Trails and sledding in winter. Free in summer. Permit required Nov-April to park. Walkable to hoodoo.
TravelerNeeded a last-minute overnight spot while heading north through Oregon and FR 9710 delivered. Arrived around 11pm in pitch darkness with about 1-2” snow on the ground.
Site Selection: There were already an RV and a van occupying two larger, flatter areas. Several other spots were available - I found one with good space but had to navigate some bumpy terrain to get in. A car could have technically parked where I was, but it was by no means flat to get to it and you definitely need to be aware of clearance (especially in the darkness). The other areas near the RV and van would have been fine for lower clearance vehicles and that’s where I would have parked if I hadn’t had a Jeep. Important: Walk your site first, even in the dark. I spotted a few stumps that would’ve been a problem if I’d just pulled in blindly.
Vehicle Requirements: Higher clearance helpful for the more dispersed spots. More The flatter areas closer to where the RV and van were parked would work fine for standard vehicles and had enough space for other vehicles.
Noise: Yes, you can hear highway noise, but honestly once you’re inside a vehicle sleeping, it’s a non-issue. Didn’t bother me at all.
Safety: Zero concerns. Felt totally secure overnight (11pm-8am).
Overall: Solid free overnight spot for anyone heading north on I-5. Not a destination campground, but perfect for breaking up a long drive. Would use again.
ScoutIf the other campgrounds are full, well, okay l suppose. But if this one is full you'll hate life until you get out of there. Posterboy for washboarded gravel.
ScoutParking is roadside, but there’s plenty of places to roam and set up a tent. Beautiful views and adjacent to the Deschutes River. Fell asleep to the sound of rushing water. Priceless! No one around, but my dog and me. I’d stay here in a heartbeat during the winter. I’m sure it gets pretty busy in the summer though, which wouldn’t be my kinda thing. Nice wooded area to disperse camp. Trails to hike and waterfalls to see. I highly recommend this camp area during the off season.
LegendSuch a cool campground! Especially quiet and so many open sites in the off season (before the road closes for the winter in mid November!)
Loved watching bald eagles fish all day & so many birds! Campsites seemed plenty spacious although the campground itself was nearly empty when we stayed. Really can’t beat waking up to sunrise over Paulina Lake. Also lots of hiking & a natural hot springs only a couple miles hike from the campground.
TravelerLocated a short walk from Steelhead Falls. Very quiet at night. Many trail and lots of signs of wildlife.
Dispersed camping sites near Sisters, Oregon provide forest settings with convenient access to outdoor activities. At 3,182 feet elevation, Sisters offers camping in ponderosa pine forests with summer daytime temperatures often exceeding 85°F and nighttime lows dropping to 45-50°F. Most dispersed camping areas require no reservations but fill quickly during summer weekends and holiday periods.
Mountain biking trails: The area south of Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping offers numerous biking trails through ponderosa forests. "Because this is right in a mountain biking area there are tons of trails to go explore - either hiking or biking. Some really pretty views!" notes Sarah S. who found this area has "never many campers around."
Waterfall hikes: Approximately 30 minutes from Sisters at Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground, a half-mile trail leads to scenic falls. "Half mile easy hike to the waterfall but the trail keeps going another Half-ish mile for a slightly longer walk," reports Anna P., who appreciated the "flat sites far enough away from each other for privacy."
Rock climbing: At Smith Rock State Park, climbers find world-class routes 30 minutes from Sisters. "Smith is awesome for climbing, hiking, slacklining, and generally enjoying being outside," says Katie L., adding that the campground has "real bathrooms with running water, charging stations, showers, and a sink for dishes."
Lake activities: Suttle Lake's Blue Bay campground provides lakeside recreation. "The lake was beautiful and we enjoyed going up to the lodge to rent canoes!" shares Christine C., who appreciated its proximity to Sisters, "about a 10 minute drive to sisters if you forget anything!" Ryan F. notes the "3.6mi loop around the lake" trail system.
Walking access to downtown: Creekside Sisters City Park gets praise for its location. "We have camped in this park for years. Walking and biking to restaurants, shops, movies, breweries, festivals, and many bike trails," explains Sharon T. Johnny G. found "Campground is clean, has showers, restrooms, dish sink cleaning, cell service, and is table/fire pit."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained amenities at Tumalo State Park Campground near Sisters. "Heated individual showers, clean bathrooms, and quick access to firewood are a big step up from the usual camping basics," writes Miguel C., while John L. recommends a nearby spot: "Great place to eat less than a mile away is The Bite…about 6-7 amazing food trucks and great local Beer!"
Reservation requirements: For popular sites, book well ahead. At Cold Springs Campground (OR), spots fill quickly despite being 10 minutes from Sisters. "You'll want to make a reservation for a weekend or if there is an event going on in Sisters," advises Pat S., noting it's "a good base for exploring the sites and trails of the McKenzie hwy."
Seasonal considerations: Fire restrictions vary throughout summer, particularly July-September. "Be sure to check on a fire ban before having a fire," warns Sarah S. about dispersed camping. Most dispersed areas become unusable in winter due to snow, while some like Smith Rock remain accessible year-round.
Wildlife awareness: Chipmunks frequently visit campsites in the area. Michael W. reports at Blue Bay: "Be aware that there is a ridiculous amount of chipmunks here. It's not uncommon to have 4-5 running around your site at any given time." Another camper encountered more concerning wildlife: "One camper left her cooler outside and it had a lift-off lid. She returned to find it opened and her food mostly eaten."
Accessibility: For camping with children, choose sites with amenities. At South Shore Suttle Lake, Abbie S. notes, "Great spot for family camping! We had spot 13, right on the lake... My kids and I biked around the lake on the trail (a little narrow in spots, would have been a better walk or run), which was beautiful."
Recreational options: Families enjoy sites with built-in activities. "Great campground," reports Karen K., "It's a great lake for fishing, skiing or just rolling around in a raft... We normally get a spot right on the lake so we can tie the boat up there and just walk down and go."
Shower availability: With kids, showers matter. At Smith Rock State Park Campground, Megan W. found "bathrooms are unbelievably clean and you can take a shower for $2." At Creekside Sisters City Park, showers cost "$1 for a two minute shower" with most people spending "$3-$4 to get an adequate shower."
Site dimensions: RVers need accurate size information. At Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort, Rachel G. found "Large level pull thru site with picnic table and fireplace. Very quiet even though highway US 20 is only 200 yards away." The resort offers full hookups and amenities for $17 per night.
Service availability: Many campers appreciate propane services. John L. notes "if you put out your propane tank in front of your spot, they'll pick it up, refill it and deliver back," calling it "one of my favorite perks" at Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort.
Generator noise: For RVers using generators, noise can create campground conflicts. One reviewer at Creekside Sisters City Park recounted: "Some guy in a road whale started his generator at 8:00am, after having it on and off all night because they were cold. If you're camping, bring extra blankets."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Sisters, Oregon?
Sisters offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Pioneer Ford Campground stands out for its peaceful riverside sites with easy access to the Metolius River Trail and great swimming and fishing spots. For those seeking more amenities, Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort provides paved sites with reasonable spacing between neighbors and on-site restrooms. Other notable options include Three Creeks Lake Campground with beautiful lake views (though access roads can be rough) and Cold Springs Campground with shaded Ponderosa pine sites. Indian Ford Campground offers decent-sized sites close to town at budget-friendly prices.
Is tent camping available near Sisters, Oregon?
Tent camping is readily available throughout the Sisters area. Limberlost Campground offers about 12 tent-friendly sites along a McKenzie River feeder stream, with some spots positioned right on the water for fishing from your campsite. For those seeking solitude, Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping areas south of town provide secluded options with few neighbors, even during holiday weekends. Tent campers also enjoy Indian Ford Campground for its decent-sized sites and proximity to town, while Cold Springs Campground offers shaded tent sites with good spacing between neighbors. Most established campgrounds in the area accommodate tents with dedicated pads or clearings.
What camping options are available around Sisters, Oregon year-round?
Year-round camping options near Sisters vary by season. Creekside Sisters City Park offers camping on the west edge of town with easy walking access to Sisters' shops and amenities. During winter months, many forest service campgrounds close, but Sister Mountains Viewpoint on Harrington Loop provides dispersed camping options that remain accessible in milder weather. The Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort typically stays open year-round for RVers seeking full hookups during colder months. Weather conditions significantly impact accessibility, especially for high-elevation sites like Three Creeks Lake Campground which closes seasonally. Always check current forest service alerts and road conditions before winter camping trips.
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