TOP 3 COUNTDOWN OF BEST "ONE-PARTY CAMPSITES" @ Monty Campground! | Metolius River Central Oregon 4K

Monty Campground is a small, rustic, spacious very high quality 12 Site Campground in Deschutes National Forest along the shoreline of National Wild & Scenic Metolius River. It is located in the NW Quadrant of Lake Billy Chinook on the River segment before the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. It is NOT part of The Cove Palisades State Park, but is part of the greater Lake Billy Chinook complex area.

It is a First Come, First Served and $18 per Night as of March 2024. As far as the open season - it is pretty much open year round from my understanding....candidly it's a bit of an enigma. If you go the the Forestry Service website it says it is closed, but if you actually physically drive there it is open, the same discrepancy I observed at Perry South Campground just a few minutes down the Forest Road. So ultimately I would say it's a caveat emptor "buyer beware" situation, so do so at your own risk!

My favorite Campsites at Monty Campground were as follows:

1st Place - Campsite #8
2nd Place - Campsite #2
3rd Place - Campsite #4

This area was explored on March 19, 2024. The weather was in the 30's in the AM up the the 50's by late afternoon. The road is very well paved throughout The Cove Palisades State Park and all the way through to Perry South Campground. From Perry South Campground to Monty Campground it is a relatively bumpy Forest Road - most cars should be able to make it if you drive slowly and cautiously, particularly around some blind corners on a very steep road, so exercise maximum caution driving to Monty Campground! That said, if done prudently, it is not a difficult drive, high clearance and 4WD are NOT required in my humble opinion. Always check for weather!

The Cove Palisades State Park is easily a Top 3 State Park in the entire State of Oregon! Lake Billy Chinook's claim to fame is that its the confluence of 3 National Wild & Scenic Rivers - Crooked River, Deschutes River & Metolius River into a truly EPIC Lake-River-Canyon High Desert Wonderland! Thus this multi-tendrilled Lake is broken up into the Crooked River Arm, Deschutes River Arm & Metolius River Arm, each with its own very well developed infrastructure of Day Use Areas, Boat Ramp/Launches and very well groomed & manicured Shoreline Hiking Trails. Lake Billy Chinook is truly a World-Class Watersport Mecca of Boating, Fishing & Kayaking. This 4K Video Playlist captures the Highlights and Points of Interest of The Cove Palisades State Park and the Greater Lake Billy Chinook Area:

- Full Video from the official Park Entrance Sign stopping at every point of interest along the way up thru Monty Campground on the Metolius River!
- Crooked River Day Use Area
- Lower Deschutes River Day Use Area
- Upper Deschutes River Day Use Area
- Petroglyph of Crooked River & "The Island" National Natural Landmark
- Full Hike of Tam-a-lau Trail
- Both Jordan Bridges
- Hoodoo Trailhead to Metolius Balancing Rocks
- Reviewing Each Campsite @ Perry South Campground and exploring the Boat Ramp/Launch and Shoreline Hiking Trail
- Reviewing Each Campsite @ Monty Campground

Due to some pre-scheduled hydroelectric dam work by PGE, the water levels were 2 FT - 5 FT lower than normal, with water levels expected to return back up to normal levels within weeks before peak season.