Smith Rock State Park Oregon – Ultimate Guide

From a distance, Smith Rock State Park doesn’t seem like it would be anything spectacular, but it is! To be honest, it reminds me of Zion National Park (yes – I said Zion) but on a much smaller scale. I’m not the only one who thinks this. While we were hiking we passed many other hikers who all said the same thing. For me, it’s something about the switchbacks and the way the Crooked River flows around the towering rocks. 

One of the best ways to explore the scenic views of deep river canyons is to hit the trails. Smith Rock State Park’s hiking trails don’t disappoint. There is a trail for all skill levels. Hiking Smith Rock State Park was definitely a highlight of our Oregon road trip.

About Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park is a geological wonderland located in Central Oregon, just outside the city of Redmond. The park’s iconic rock formations, deep canyons, and stunning views of the Cascade Mountains have made it a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. The park offers miles of hiking trails that wind through the rocky terrain, with easy and challenging routes for all skill levels. The Misery Ridge Trail and Monkey Face a 350-foot tall rock spire that resembles a primate’s face are popular spots to explore, as well as the base of Smith Rock where you can get up close to the park’s unique geological features.

Smith Rock is also a prime location for wildlife viewing, with a variety of species such as golden eagles, river otters, and mule deer calling the park home. Additionally, the park is renowned for its world-class rock climbing opportunities, with over a thousand routes that cater to climbers of all skill levels.

With its stunning scenery, diverse recreational opportunities, and rich natural history, Smith Rock State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in outdoor adventure and natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a longer stay, Smith Rock State Park has something for everyone, making it one of the top destinations in Oregon State Parks.

Fun Facts about Smith Rock State Park

• It is one of the 7 wonders of Oregon.
• It is known as the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing.
• It is home to over 1,800 climbing routes.
• It became world-famous in the 1980s as a rock climbing destination.
• It is home to Monkey Face rock. A giant rock pillar that resembles a monkey’s face.
• Smith Rock State Park spans over 650 acres and has about 3,000 ft. of elevation.
• A portion of the 2014 movie Wild with Reese Witherspoon was filmed here.
• Some of Homeward Bound was filmed here too.

Smith Rock State Park Weather

Fun fact – Smith Rock State Park has its own micro-climate.

Smith Rock State Park experiences a semi-arid climate with hot and dry summers and cold and snowy winters.

In the summer months (June to August), temperatures can reach into the 90s during the day, with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons. The park is located at an elevation of 3,000 feet (914 meters) above sea level, which can make it slightly cooler than surrounding areas.

During the winter months (December to February), temperatures can drop below freezing and snowfall is common, particularly in January and February. Be sure to check the park’s website for current trail conditions before you hit the trails.
*The trails can be slick, so be careful, take your time, and dress warm.

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) offer mild temperatures, making them ideal times to visit the park. Visitors can expect sunny days with temperatures in the 70’s. Regardless of the time of year, visitors should always come prepared for changing weather conditions and bring appropriate clothing and gear for their chosen activities.
*During spring it can be hard to tell whether you’ll have a rainy day or a snowy one.

Summer Temps (June, July, Aug)	Fall Temps (Sept, Oct, Nov)	Winter Temps (Dec, Jan, Feb)	Spring Temps (March, April, May)
Average High 73-83 degrees Temps often exceed 100	Average High 74-48 degrees	Average High 40-44 degrees	Average High 51-65 degrees
Average Low 48-53 degrees	Average Low 47-32 degrees	Average Low 26-28 degrees	Average Low 32-41 degrees

Summer can get hot! We went in the middle of June and there was a major heatwave that drove the temps to over 100 degrees.

The Best Time to Visit Smith Rock

While Smith Rock is open year-round, the best time to visit is typically late spring or fall. The crowds are smaller and the temperatures are more tolerable during these seasons.

If you want to avoid the crowds of peak season, avoid the summer months. Smith Rock becomes really busy in the summer & the trails are known to get crowded. If summer is the only time you can go, hitting the trails early morning and on a weekday can help you to avoid the crowds.

October is the best time to go if you want to avoid crowds and have pleasant weather.

Directions to Smith Rock State Park, Parking & Cost

Latitude & Longitude – 44°21’58.01″N, 121° 8’13.32″W or 44.367612, -121.138988
Address – Terrebonne, OR 97760
Phone Number –  (800) 551-6949

Smith Rock State Park is located in central Oregon’s high desert. It doesn’t have your typical address so it may be a little difficult to find. Below are some turn-by-turn directions coming from popular destinations.

How To Get To Smith Rock From Terrebonne, Or (~6 min. drive)

• Head south on NW 11th St toward C Ave
• Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto Smith Rock Wy
• Turn left onto NE 1st St/Lambert Rd
• Turn left onto NE Crooked River Dr

How to get to Smith Rock from Portland, Or (~2 HR. 45 MIN.)

• Get on I-84 E from SE Morrison Bridge (You’ll be on this for about 1.6 miles or 4 minutes.)
• Take US-26 E and US-97 S to Austin Rd/NW Eby Ave in Deschutes County (You’ll be on this for about 137 miles or 2 hours & 40 minutes.)
• Continue on Austin Rd. Drive to NE Crooked River Dr

Parking & Cost of Smith Rock

Smith Rock has multiple parking lots that have room for cars, RVs, buses, and trailers. If you are driving a bus, RV, or trailer you must park in the overflow parking lot.

The parking areas fill up pretty quickly, especially during holidays, weekends & summer. Once the lot is full there isn’t anywhere else to park nearby. If going in the summer or on a weekend I highly recommend getting to the park early to avoid any parking issues.

Parking permits-
In order to use their parking lot, you must purchase a parking permit. The parking permit also known as the day-use permit costs $5 per parking space per day. You can purchase a day-use permit from any of the kiosks in each parking area. The kiosks take credit cards.

Welcome Center-
Just before the park entrance of Smith Rock, there is a small welcome center. The welcome center hours vary based on volunteers’ availability.

You can visit the welcome center to purchase an annual parking pass, souvenirs, ask questions and learn all about Smith Rock.

Picnic Areas-
There are a few picnic areas scattered around outside the park. You’ll find most of them in grassy areas between the parking areas and the park.

Smith Rock Wildlife

Smith Rock State Park is a prime location for wildlife viewing. Some of the species that you may see at Smith Rock are Golden Eagles, River Otter, Mule Deer, Bald Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Snakes (including rattlesnakes, and many other varieties). It’s important to respect these animals and their habitat by staying on designated trails and observing from a safe distance.

Smith Rock is known to close sections of the park due to nesting. You can check here to see if there are any closures.

Smith Rock State Park Hiking Trails

Smith Rock State Park has a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous, each offering unique views of the park’s natural beauty. Some popular trails include the Misery Ridge Trail, the Summit Trail, and the River Trail, which winds along the Crooked River. The trails are well-marked and provide opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and plant species. It’s important to wear sturdy footwear and bring plenty of water, especially during the summer months when temperatures can be high.

Many of the trails at Smith Rock can be connected to create longer routes. Below, I list the most popular routes.

*We use AllTrails to plan our hikes. Some of these trail names may be different than what is on the actual Smith Rock State Park map because people have connected trails to create awesome routes and named them.

Misery Ridge & River Trail

• Difficulty – Hard
• Length – 3.5 Miles
• Trail Type – Loop
• Elevation Gain – 948 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 2 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes, on a leash

Misery Ridge & River Trail is hands down the most popular hike in Smith Rock State Park. It is challenging but worth it. Along the route, you’ll see some of the most beautiful views of Crooked River, Monkey Face (a large pillar-like rock that looks like the face of a monkey), and more. I can see why this is a favorite hike at Smith Rock State Park.

We took our dog on this trail and loved our adventure. Be careful, there is not a lot of shade and it gets hot. Bring plenty of water.

Most of the trails going up or down are narrow. Theres a large open area at the top of the ridge where you can rest and take in the views without being in the way.

On the day that we went there were rock climbers everywhere. It was so much fun to watch them.

Misery Ridge & Summit Trail Loop

• Difficulty – Hard
• Length – 6 Miles
• Trail Type – Loop
• Elevation Gain – 1774 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 3.5 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes, on a leash

This popular route is similar to the Misery Ridge & River trail but it’s longer and you’ll climb to a higher elevation. You’ll see some amazing views along the way.

River Trail

• Difficulty – Easy
• Length – 4.5 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 321 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 2 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes, on a leash

Crooked River Trail is an easy 4.5-mile stroll along the river.

Misery Ridge Trail

• Difficulty – Hard
• Length – 2.2 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 1115 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 2 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes

Misery Ridge Trail is a hard but rewarding out-and-back trail. It takes you to the top of Misery Ridge and then back down.

Burma Road Loop

• Difficulty – Moderate
• Length – 7 Miles
• Trail Type –Loop
• Elevation Gain – 1151 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 3.5 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes

This moderately difficult 7-mile loop is a great way to take in the majority of the park. You’ll see everything Misery Ridge & River Trail has to offer plus more.

The Chute Trail

• Difficulty – Easy
• Length – 0.5 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 167 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 20 Minutes
• Dog Friendly – Yes

If you don’t have much time, this easy hike is for you. This trail will take you to Smith Rock and along the way, you can take in views of the river. Sometimes you can see fish from the cute bridge you’ll cross.

Wolf Tree Trail

• Difficulty – Easy
• Length – 2.7 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 406 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 1.5 Hours
• Dog Friendly – Yes

This is an easy out-and-back trail with a little bit of elevation. Many people love birdwatching on Wolf Tree Trail.

Smith Rock State Park Canyon Trail

• Difficulty – Moderate
• Length – 3.3 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 439 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 1 Hour 40 Minutes
• Dog Friendly – Yes

This 3.3-mile out-and-back trail will give you plenty of views of Smith Rock and the river without having to gain a lot of elevation.

Canyon Trail & Homestead Trail

• Difficulty – Easy
• Length – 2.3 Miles
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 354 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 1 Hour
• Dog Friendly – Yes

This lightly trafficked trail is perfect for families. This trail is easy, less traveled, and yet still offers plenty of amazing views.

Rim Rock Trail

• Difficulty – Easy
• Length – 1 Mile
• Trail Type – Out & Back
• Elevation Gain – 22 Feet
• Hiking Time – About 25 Minutes
• Dog Friendly – Yes

Rim Rock Trail is a trail near the entrance of the park that gives views of Smith Rock and has access to many other trails. You’ll also find amenities like bathrooms and picnic tables here.

What to Pack

Tips & Tricks For Hiking Smith Rock

• Bring plenty of water, especially in the summer months.
  
• Hike early morning or early evening to avoid the hottest temps.
  
• The parking lot fills up fast. The earlier you get there the better.
  
• Some trails don’t have much shade. Wear cool clothes, sunblock & a hat if you plan on going when it’s really hot. It’s important to check temperatures before you hike and dress appropriately.
  
• Take your time. The small gravel on some of the trails can be very slick. It was especially hard to get back down. We saw many people slip. Trekking poles might be helpful.
  
• Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes with good traction.
  
• Bring a map or download your route before arriving at the park in case you don’t have cell service.

Things to do at Smith Rock State Park besides Hiking

Rock climbing – With over 1800 climbing routes, it’s a rock climber’s dream. If rock climbing isn’t your thing, watch the rock climbers. They are everywhere and they are so much fun to watch.

Mountain biking – Many of the hiking trails are shared with mountain bikers. We saw quite a few mountain bikers on our hike.

Horseback riding – Some trails allow horses! We didn’t see any horses on our trip but I bet it’d be a fun way to explore the park.

Things to do Near Smith Rock

Crater Lake National Park

Columbia River Gorge

Mount Hood

Where to Stay

Where you choose to stay really depends on your plans. If you plan on staying at Smith Rock for a couple of days, you may want to find a place close by. If you are just passing through on your road trip, you may want to find a place to stay in the middle of a couple of your planned destinations.

hotels

Explore all local hotels here.

We stayed at Comfort Suites Redmond Airport. We choose this hotel because it was close to some of the other destinations on our road trip. We have no complaints about this hotel.

camping

Bivy Campground (Smith Rock State Park camping) –
This campground is first come first serve. There are no reservations and the campground fills fast.

Skull Hollow Campground (8 miles from Smith Rock) –
Reservations are not accepted.

Smith Rock is a jaw-dropping state park that has so much to offer adults & families with or without dogs. If you are looking for someplace to go, I can’t recommend Smith Rock enough.

I hope that you found this Smith Rock State Park Guide helpful. Let us know in the comments if you have any additional questions.

Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without

Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.

Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.

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