ONE OF THE BEST River Shoreline Hikes in the Entire USA! @ Metolius River in Central Oregon! | 4K

Lower Canyon Creek Campground, nestled amongst towering Ponderosa Pines, is located on the West Shoreline of National Wild & Scenic Metolius River, Metolius River National Recreation Area, Deschutes National Forest, Central Oregon! It has 5 Campsites, reservable @ Recreation.gov. In my opinion it is in the upper tier quality of Campgrounds out of the Dozen in the Metolius River National Recreation Area!

*Please note they recently IMPROVED the quality of the 0.8 Mile Campground Forest Road from the Main (paved) Road to the Campground, so it is a smooth ride all the way to the Campground! Please also note they have REDESIGNED THE CAMPGROUND - The Deschutes National Forest Website has a Campground Map that shows 7 Campsites AND IS INACCURATE, DO NOT USE/REFERENCE THAT MAP! The Campground is now 5 Campsites and completely redesigned. THIS VIDEO shows the Current Campground Layout and Campsite Design!*

One of the other strengths of Lower Canyon Creek Campground is that it is the location for West Metolius River Trailhead, a launching off point to explore Metolius River National Recreation Area! If you wanted to do The Whole Enchilada capturing both sides of Metolius River i.e. West Metolius River Trail AND East Metolius River Trail, you can do so in one approximately 13.5 Mile Grand River Shoreline Hike that CAPTURES ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS of the Area! Here is the Hiking Itinerary to do so, I would recommend referencing AllTrails and Google Maps:

- Start at West Metolius River Trailhead (adjoining Lower Canyon Creek Campground)
- Hike North as far as you can to Candle Creek Campground (https://youtu.be/AdQ6l0q5tXg), End of West Metolius River Trail
- Turn Around and Hike South to Lower Bridge, Cross the Bridge to Lower Bridge Campground, Now on East Metolius River Trail
- Hike South Past Allen Springs Campground (https://youtu.be/bAsXyHXG7nM), Re-Cross the River at Wizard Falls Bridge (https://youtu.be/YpuCvUJRg-8), Now Back on West Metolius River Trail
- Hike South Back to West Metolius River Trailhead (adjoining Lower Canyon Creek Campground)

The Area is relatively Low Elevation, in the 2800 FT - 3000 FT Range, and there is not much Elevation Gain in this 13.5 Mile Hike beyond the natural machinations of a Forest Hike/Trail. This Hike can typically be done from Late Winter (depending on annual snow melt) to Spring to Summer to Fall (until the annual snow deluge starts), so it has an unusually long window to Hike due to its Low Elevation and is a GREAT Shoulder Season Play to avoid the Hot Summer Heat!

Here is the FULL REVIEW of Lower Canyon Creek Campground & Hiking West Metolius River Trailhead to this location:

https://youtu.be/f2pvhYHOEGk

Here is the VIDEO of Hiking West Metolius River Trailhead to this location:

https://youtu.be/_4z-gHea3n0

One of my favorite Campgrounds in the Area is Allen Springs Campground, located on the East Shores of National Wild & Scenic Metolius River, Metolius River National Recreation Area, Deschutes National Forest, Central Oregon! It has 17 Campsites, reservable @ Recreation.gov. It is arguably one of if not the highest quality Campground out of the Dozen or so up and down Metolius River. It has an unconventional seasonal Calendar and is open First Come, First Served in off peak seasons. It has two types of Campsites:

-the BEST classic Drive-In Car Camping Campsites is #11, here is a Video Review of that Campsite as well as accessing nearby East Metolius River Trailhead:

https://youtu.be/T3gSqQ1_Kwg

-the BEST Park & Walk-In Campsites are #6, #5, #4, in that descending order. There is a Peninsula-like area of Deschutes National Forest that National Wild & Scenic Metolius River forms a U around, these three Campsites are in that zone with #6 being the furthermost. HERE THE VIDEO exploring those Three Campsites:

https://youtu.be/bAsXyHXG7nM