Metolius Basin Dry Camp

If you're looking for primitive, private camping on untrampled ground and with no sign of civilization, this is your place. Coming from Sisters, a right-hand turn off of NF-14 and onto an unmarked red dirt road takes you promptly up a hillside towards the northern extreme of Black Butte. Importantly, there are campsites all along the hillside which are typically marked with a 4-digit number but are universally characterized by pre-established ruts extending off the road. We passed at least 3 campsites before finding ours, a lovely little place of sparse Ponderosa pines and soft needle beds. From here, you could turn toward Three-Fingered Jack, shout, and take extreme satisfaction in the echo. I saw a potential game trail spanning a ravine, but clearly scared off any animals and witnessed no wildlife. These sites are so high and dry that there are NO MOSQUITOES. This place is a total win. Would recommend until my dying breath.

We thought this place was a total gem, and stayed 3 nights. A flat, wide open area that could easily fit 2-3 units, and even has a nice turn around area. It's easily accessible, just off paved road.

No cell signal here but head up the hill a little bit and you'll get some.

To clarify directions from the other review:
If you are heading west on Hwy 20, turn off on Hwy 14 towards Camp Sherman. When the road forks, stay right - the brown sign says "Resort" to the left and "Campgrounds" to the right. The turn off for Hwy 1120 can be easily missed, just a small vertical sign post in the ground, but you'll make the turn when the road starts to dip down and then veers left a bit. You will have passed by Camp Sherman turn offs on the left.

The site itself is easy to find - take the first right off the 1120, and it'll be the pull out on the left.

A little bit of road noise from Hwy 14, but not enough to be bothersome and of course at night and early mornings there was almost none.

This free dry camping spot is in the Metolius Basin and only 2/10 of a mile (cross-country on foot, however it is 2 miles on paved roads) from Smiling River National Forest Campground. The River campgrounds are often completely full in the summer months.

This alternative camp site is not on the river, but is capable of hosting several large trailers in one communal area with a large fire ring. The road in is easy if dry, but might be challenging if muddy. The camp site is very flat and has good turn around room.

Directions: From camp Sherman store
take Metolius River Road that leads to campgrounds
Roughly 1/4 mile: Turn right on forest road 1419
200 yards: Turn left on forest road 14
Travel 1.1 miles
On left will be a brown sign that says "US Hwy 20, camp Sherman and campgrounds"
On right is sign marked 1120
Go down forest road 1120 about 100 yards
Dirt track that winds off to the right
Follow this dirt track for about 50 yards
Camp site will be pull out on left.

About 1/4 mile further down this track is another camp site. This spot is smaller and not nearly as flat. Do not take a large trailer beyond campsite one.

My dog and I really enjoyed the solitude of this spot, and the open ponderosa forest. Bring plenty of water. Please clean up after your stay. Camp Sherman Store is about 1.5 miles away.

Negatives: Traffic can occasionally be heard on forest road 14 and 1120.