## Overview

 Pioneer Ford is one of the most popular of the campgrounds in the area since many of the sites are well suited to RVs and most of the sites are mostly private, shaded amongst a mixture of pine and cedar trees. As you travel north away from the first in a series of Metolius-area campgrounds and Camp Sherman, the facilities become more and more isolated which is why Pioneer Ford can be so quiet. Located on the Metolius River, this campground provides access to fishing and hiking trails.
## 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. Its 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

 With 20 campsites Pioneer Ford Campground is well-suited to trailers, tents or RVs with its mix of back-in and pull-through sites. Many sites are right along the Metolius River and site 8 also has an adjacent picnic shelter. This facility has vault toilets as well as drinking water available. Each site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table.
## Natural Features

 The headwaters of the 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 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 Crest Trail. Lava Lands Visitor Center in Bend, Oregon, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. 
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Pioneer Ford Campground

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.

quiet streamside retreat

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.