Pioneer Ford Campground

I went here with a group of 5 families, all with kids 4 years old and under. The campsites were spacious with plenty of room for the kids to run around and play. We reserved 4 of the 20 sites, 2 sites were tent only and 2 were for RVS. I stayed on Site 9 and 8, and they were seconds away from the edge of Metolius river. The 2 RV sites did not have direct access to the river.

No one in our group had any cell service. About a 10min drive away from the campgrounds, on the access roads, you can find cell service appear in brief patches.

My family really enjoyed exploring the area and hanging out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. We also took a day trip to Scout Lake nearby, which was accessible for our younger kids to get some time in the water.

We had a wonderful, restful time at this campground in early June, 2022.  There are plenty of reviews to back this up, I just wanted to add some important information for planning purposes.  

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.  I don't know how long their goodness with last, so I strongly suggest filling up at home before you come.  You might be able to fill a few jugs at the Fish Hatchery, but you cannot run a hose to your RV.

There are also no dump stations.  The nearest dump station is in Sisters at the municipal Creekside Campground (see my review of the site) on the east end of town.  The dump is $10, very clean and good drainage with a hose connection to non-potable water for black tank flushing.  

Note, they will not sell or allow you to fill up with potable water at Creekside CG due to abuses in the past.

Finally, there is absolutely no cell service on Verizon or any other.  However, at the top of the hill, on a well used turnout, just south/west of the turn off to Gorge CG, you can get a good signal.

This CG, like most on the Metolius is a hikers or fly fisherman's dream. The CG has twenty sites along both sides of the CG road next to the river. There are two vault toilets both with M/W. There is also water spigots located along the road. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. You can make reservations on recreation.com. There are also walk up sites too. However it might be tough on the weekends or during the summer to score a site. All the CG's along the Metolius are pretty popular. Stay away from site 7, its too close to the northern vault toilet.  The CG can support RV's, trailers, and tent camping. I didn't see any hook-ups for power, and there is no dump station.

The CG gives you immediate access to the river. You can hike the various trails leading up or down the river. The Wizard Falls fish hatchery is less than 3 miles away and is worth the trip. The Metolius is supposed to be tricky for fly fishing (the only kind of fishing you can do) but if you do a little scouting you will find a good spot. Most of the CG's were teeming with fly fisherman. You'll find rainbows, bull trout, cut throat, and Kokanee to test your skills. 

Make sure you bring everything you need. We brought wood and it was a good thing, the camp host was sold out.