Camping
Camping at Three Creek Lake, located sixteen miles south of Sisters off of Forest Road 16, is popular in the summertime. The three Forest Service campgrounds close to the lake are Three Creek, Driftwood and Three Creek Meadow. Three Creek and Driftwood are primitive campgrounds located near the lake, with outhouse facilities. Drinking water is not available, and there is a fee to stay at the campgrounds. Three Creek Meadow is a general camping area with horse facilities, located about one mile from the lake. A small store is situated on the east side of the lake, as well as a primitive boat ramp. We recommend bringing lots of insect repellent. These campgrounds are open from mid-June through mid-September, depending on the snow pack.
Indian Ford Campground is located six miles west of Sisters near Highway 20 on Forest Service Road 11. The facilities include campsites, picnic sites, restrooms, parking, and drinking water, although bringing your own drinking water is recommended. The campground is in a forested area next to Indian Ford Creek. The area around the creek is home to many different types of birds, including various kinds of warblers, woodpeckers and songbirds. Black Butte Trail head, a few miles northwest of the campground on Forest Service Road 1110, is a fun summer hike. The steep trail climbs two miles up the side of the butte, often in full sun, so bring lots of water along. The spectacular view of the Sisters area from the top of the trail is worth the hike.
Like beads on a string, eleven Forest Service campgrounds are situated at various locations along the Metolius River. These campgrounds are in forested locations off of Highway 20 and F.S. 14. There is drinking water and vault toilets on site. Allen Springs, Allenham, Camp Sherman, Canyon Creek, Candle Creek, Gorge, Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, and Smiling River are suitable for trailers or tents. Pine Rest and Riverside are tent only campgrounds. Many of these campgrounds are closed during the snow season, so check the Forest Service current conditions report and the developed campground map before you pack.
Spend those lazy summer days fishing at one of the Suttle Lake campgrounds, located 14 miles west of Sisters on F.S. Road 2070. Drop your line and fish for rainbow, brown trout, mountain whitefish and kokanee salmon, either from the bank, or while boating on the lake. Blue Bay, Link Creek and South Shore campgrounds are suitable for tent and trailer camping and have fish cleaning stations, drinking water and vault toilets. There is a boat dock at Link Creek, and the Scout Lake Group Campground is suitable for groups of up to 100. Suttle Lake is also a prime wildlife viewing site, with bald eagles, osprey, bats, songbirds and waterfowl either living at the lake, or migrating through the lake area.
Fishing
Try the challenge of fly fishing on the Metolius River. Types of fish living in the Metolius include brown trout, bull trout, redband rainbow, mountain whitefish, and kokanee salmon. These wild fish are big and savvy - landing them will test your skills. Insects hatch throughout the year in this area, so fisherman should choose flies carefully, basing their choice on the emerging food sources. All fishing is catch and release, and special limitations apply, depending on which part of the river is being fished. The 4,600 acre Metolius corridor has been named a National Wild and Scenic River. For more fishing information, contact the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest Office , at 541-383-5300.
Three Creek Lake, located sixteen miles south of Sisters off of Forest Road 16, is a popular summer fishing spot. This high mountain lake (elevation 6.500 feet) is situated in a depression below the scenic Tam MacArthur Ridge, on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The naturally reproducing brook trout and stocked rainbow trout can be caught from the bank, or from a nonmotorized boat. Boats can be rented at the Three Creek Lake Resort. There is a primitive boat ramp on the east side of the lake. Three campgrounds, (Driftwood, Three Creek, and Three Creek Lake), are located at or near the Lake.
Suttle Lake, located seven miles east of the Santiam Pass summit off Highway 20, is a good lake for family fishing. Kokanee salmon, brown trout and mountain whitefish populate the lake. Boating, water skiing, camping and swimming are also favorite activities at the lake.
