Allingham Campground

Just north of Sisters, OR, which is just north of Bend, Or, you'll find a series of small National Forest Campgrounds along the Metolius River. Instead of huge parks the Forest Service designed these little campgrounds so more people could appreciate the river without being overwhelmed in an RV park style camp that would feel out of place. THANK YOU FS!

This camp only has 10 sites. The reservable ones are, generally, reserved long weekends all summer long, but site 6 is first come, first serve. There are about 8+ (not exactly sure) similar campgrounds spread up and down the river that have a similar setup with with each having a few 1st come, 1st serve sites. It is a simple loop with a trash dump and pit toilets.

There is one couple who serves as the park hosts for all the campgrounds along this side of the river. They work hard but sometimes things aren't done quite as quickly as if there was a dedicated host. 

The true star here is the river itself. It rushes along the backside of camp, and directly along half the sites. There are little enclaves next to the river perfect for setting up a chair and knitting, or reading or drinking or napping or any other thing you can imagine. 

There is also a trail that runs along the rivers edge. Even if it is "your" campsite the trail is accessible to everyone. Take the trail 1 mile south and it takes you back to Camp Sherman. You'll never really leave civilization as there are campgrounds along the whole way, and a few house abutting the river near the general store. Take the trail north, and for a mile you'll be meandering thru other campgrounds on a dirt trail before a steep incline and then veering far inland around a private property before being routed back to the river (also down a steepish switchback). It's at this point the river turns into the incredible, almost glacial blue. Look down and you can see two distinct currents below. 4 miles away you come to a bridge and a fish hatchery where you can see fish being bred for sport, and feed the fish in the semi wild pond. If you're lucky and eagle or osprey will swoop down for a snack. #Nature

Amenities: 

• Pit Toilets

• Flat ground

• River access

• Fire pit

• Beautiful night skies

• Camp Sherman General Store

*Pro-Tip 1: If headed north thru Sisters, OR to get here during the summer months, plan for heavy, heavy traffic in Sisters if anywhere close to a weekend. There is only one way in or out of town, and the weekend warriors from Bend are here gassing up or getting last second supplies. Getting gas on a Sunday afternoon took almost an hour.

* Pro-Tip 1a: There is the Camp Sherman General Store 1 mile from camp. It DOES have a gas pump. It is only a few pennies more than in town. Good on them. They have any sort of supply you need from food to wine to fishing to coffee to wine to souvenirs to books to wine.

The campground is right next to Metolius River, with a beautiful view and great fly-fishing. The front entrance is only about a mile from the Camp Sherman General Store. Allingham Bridge goes across the river in the middle of the campground, so there is a road running next some of the inner campsites. Fire danger seems to be a pretty big deal in this area, so any time I’ve been there it’s been no campfires allowed. A few of the campsites have water spigots nearby, but other than that it’s dry camping- no hookups for electrical or water. Around June, you pretty much need to bathe in bug repellent, or you’re going to be eaten alive by the mosquitoes. Bugs come out in massive swarms, especially just after the sun goes down. The ground is mainly flat around the area; no big hills in the campground.

This is a great spot with lots of sites on the river. Even if you don't fish you can tub or just splash around in the river during your stay.

It's a National Park site so is the standard rough car camping fare.... Firepits, picnic tables, river access, pit toilets (two stations of two toilets for the whole campground, a lil trek for most sites)

Warning for fishermen/women: The river is fly fishing only and notorious for being the smartest and hardest to catch fish. Don't be surprised if you spend a few hours with not so much as a nibble. But the scenery more than makes up for it.

All the sites by the river are great. Lots of trees for shade in the heat of summer. The bridge separates the campground in half. I would try to stay away from the sites right next to the bridge as that is where all the day visiting fishers park and access the river from the bridge. And where tubers take out. It gets a little more traffic than the rest of the sites.

I've uploaded some photos of specific sites to give you an idea of the layout.