Camping

Six miles northwest of Sisters [1] on Route 126 find Indian Ford Campground (541/549-7700, www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon [2], $12, no water) the closest public campground to town. Farther west on Route 126 find the turnoff to the Metolius River [3] campgrounds ($12–16, drinking water available), a number of very pleasant Forest Service campgrounds strung along the river both upstream and downstream from the hub of Camp Sherman.

A handful of campgrounds open only in summer can be found near Sisters on the old McKenzie Highway, Route 242. Cold Springs Campground ($14, drinking water) is just 5 miles west of town on Route 242. This campground, at 3,400 feet in elevation, has 23 sites for tents and small trailers (up to 22 feet). It’s a pretty spot near the source of Trout Creek.

Six miles farther down the road is Whispering Pine Campground ($16, no drinking water), a primitive campground with 6 tent sites. Another 6 miles up the pass at 5,200 feet is the rustic 10-site Lava Camp Lake Campground (free, no water), where the main allure is its close proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail and the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Information about these campgrounds is available from Sisters Ranger Station (Pine St. and U.S. 20, 541/549-7700, www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon [2]).