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Metolius River Fall Camping
- Jeff Thompson
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
Fall camping at the Metolius River in Central Oregon is a beautiful, peaceful experience — crisp air, vibrant fall colors, and the soothing sound of the river make it one of the most scenic spots in the Pacific Northwest.
Switch off your cell phones, as this is a place to reconnect with nature and give your brain a rest...besides there is no reception here! We get used to unplugging pretty fast. There is so much to take in and so many adventures to do you won't miss the phones. We enjoy hiking the scenic trails and riding our bikes, as much as possible. At the end of the day, cooking outdoors and relaxing by the warmth of a real campfire can't be beat.
The campsites are pretty basic, providing just a camp table and fire pit but the sites are quite roomy and many have a view of the river.
In the summer, water is available at specific locations, along with pit toilets. After Labor Day, its a much quieter experience, with fall arriving and kokanee salmon spawning in the river. The fall is our favorite time of year to go! Bring your fishing gear - The Metolius is a world-famous fly-fishing river with healthy populations of rainbow trout and bull trout.
🏕️ Where to camp along the Metolius River?
Most of these campgrounds are operated by the U.S. Forest Service and many stay open until mid-October, sometimes longer depending on snow. These are our top recommendations but there are six additional sites you can check out, as well.
1. Camp Sherman Campground
Closest to the town of Camp Sherman.
Short walk to the Camp Sherman store and fish viewing platform.
Nice river access
Small, quiet, right on the river
First-come, first-served.
2. Allingham
Smaller Campground near Allingham Bridge
Pit toilets and seasonal water
Picnic tables and fire rings
Sites near the water and hiking trails.
3. Smiling River
Sites near the water
Pit toilets, seasonal water
Picnic tables and fire rings
Good for hiking, biking and seclusion.
📝 Helpful Tip: After mid-September, services may be limited (no water or trash collection), and some campgrounds switch to dispersed or walk-in only access. Check status before heading out via the Deschutes National Forest website.
Things we like to do:
Mushroom hunting (this is very popular!)
Hike the Metolius River Trail (up to 12 miles out-and-back)
Visit Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
Relax at Camp Sherman Store - Grab a coffee and baked good.
Photography – Larches and cottonwoods turn gold in late October.
Read, write, or just listen to the river
🔥 Campfire Tips
Fall fire restrictions may be lifted, but check current conditions.
Always use designated fire rings and fully extinguish before sleeping or leaving
🚗 Directions
From Sisters, OR, head west on Hwy 20, then north on FS Road 14 (Metolius River Road) to reach Camp Sherman and the river campsites.
Allow ~30 minutes from Sisters or ~1 hour from Bend.
Don't forget to visit the Camp Sherman store, it has all of your gourmet needs, deli delights for breakfast or lunch and friendly service. It is a favorite of ours!
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