Bell tents near Metolius with fishing

Situated between Bend and Madras in Oregon’s high desert, you may find yourself passing through the town of Metolius if you're camping in nearby Cove Palisades State Park or on your way to spots further afield, such as Ochoco National Forest or the Jefferson Wilderness. While the nearby town of Madras offers more in terms of grocery stores and supplies, Metolius has a remarkably large concentration of spots to get engines tended to, with a motorcycle repair shop, an auto repair shop, an RV repair shop, and a small-engine repair shop all within half a mile.

Ochoco National Forest

Spread out over nearly a million acres, this national forest offers a wide mix of terrain, from soaring peaks to deep canyons. The forest offers a mix of campgrounds and dispersed camping, and five of the campgrounds here can accommodate horses.

Jefferson Wilderness

The Jefferson Wilderness is among Oregon's most popular backpacking areas and offers 163 trails that weave through the forest and across meadows. Around 40 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the wilderness.

Warm Springs

Spanning over 1000 miles just northwest of Metolius, the Warm Springs Reservation is run by the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Native American Tribes. You can familiarize yourself with local cultures at the Museum at Warm Springs, take a tour of the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery, or test your luck at the Indian Head Casino.

The weather in this part of the state is dryer than in Western Oregon, and camping in the area is pleasant from about mid-April until October, provided you are in lower elevation spots. Higher elevations, conversely, tend to get a lot of snow that may not melt until as late as May or even June. While some campgrounds in the area are open year-round, winter temperatures can drop below freezing. Come prepared.