Can you reserve a site at Pioneer Ford Campground?

Yes, Pioneer Ford Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Pioneer Ford Campground have?

20 sites in total, of which 19 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Pioneer Ford Campground?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Pioneer Ford Campground, Oregon — 19 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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 & 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.

The facts

Season: Tentative Opening: May 2, 2025 – September 28, 2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
19 bookable sites
20 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Loop 1

Site types

17 Standard Nonelectric
2 Tent Only Nonelectric
1 Management

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

20 campsites at Pioneer Ford Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
001	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	36 ft	6	🐾
002	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	34 ft	6	🐾
003	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
004	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	34 ft	6	🐾
005	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
006	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	30 ft	6	🐾
007	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
008 Tent Only	Loop 1	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	30 ft	6	🐾
009 Tent Only	Loop 1	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	32 ft	6	🐾
010	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
011	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	6	🐾
012	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	6	🐾
013	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
014	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	6	🐾
015	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
016	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	32 ft	6	🐾
017	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	6	🐾
018	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
019 Host	Loop 1	Management	Pull Through	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
020	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	26 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

From Sisters, OR: Travel 9.6 miles northwest on Highway 20, then 12.6 miles north on Forest Road 14.

44.55056, -121.62222 · 44°33'2.0"N 121°37'20.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	12.0	8.0	8.9	6.6	4.6	2.8	0.7	0.6	2.6	6.4	11.3	12.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Pioneer Ford Campground

Can you reserve a site at Pioneer Ford Campground?: Yes, Pioneer Ford Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Pioneer Ford Campground have?: 20 sites in total, of which 19 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Pioneer Ford Campground?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Pioneer Ford Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Pioneer Ford Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Pioneer Ford Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Campsite Rate: $30/night
Premium Campsite Rate: $32/night
One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00

Restrictions:

Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.
The water system will be turned on in the month of May depending on weather conditions and will be turned off no later than September 30, or upon the campground closing, whichever, is earlier to prevent potential damage from cold temperatures.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Pioneer Ford Campground

Lower Bridge Campground 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Green Ridge Lookout 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Allen Springs Campground 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Candle Creek Campground 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sheep Springs Horse Camp 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lower Canyon Creek Campground 3.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Smiling River Campground 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Allingham Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gorge Campground 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jack Creek Campground 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Camp Sherman Campground 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pine Rest Campground 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

Phone 541-323-1746
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-12.

Pioneer Ford Campground