About Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park

Recognition Programs

If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you.

The majesty of Smith Rock State Park is unique, even for the high desert of Oregon. The park covers over 650 acres and hovers around 3000 feet in elevation. The major rock faces are welded tuff, or compressed volcanic ash formed 30 million years ago.

There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. The towering 350-foot spire of Monkey Face is an icon.

The park also offers miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. 

Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and strongly encourage all park users to stay on trails. 

Camping info 

  •  Walk-in bivouac area for tents available March – November (No reservations) 

  •  RV camping, sleeping in vehicles and open fires are not allowed  

Know Before You Go:

  • Be mindful that park services and staffing may be limited, so show your appreciation to staff, abide by park rules and take care to leave spaces clean.

  • Parking can be challenging, especially during the peak season and weekends. Beat the crowds and visit Smith Rock on a weekday.

  • Some climbing areas are closed or have limited access from about Jan. 15 to Aug. 1 to protect golden eagle and falcon nesting areas. Drones are also not allowed during this period. Look for signs at the park showing the closed climbing routes or visit the seasonal closure page.

  • Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and ask all park users to stay on trails.

Recognition Programs

Reviews & Ratings

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.9/5 TripAdvisor Traveler Rating based on 1154 reviews
  • TripAdvisor Rating
    August 13, 2026
    bridgetb71

    Great experience!

    Gorgeous hike! We hiked up Burma Road to Summit Trail then the Misery Ridge Loop. This was about 6.5 - 7 miles. It was challenging, and coming down the front of Misery Ridge was definitely scary in some areas, but it was worth the effort - the views and scenery are incredible! Wear good hiking or trail shoes as some parts are loose and gravely and you'll want the traction. Bring water and wear sunscreen!

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    August 3, 2026
    Grover R

    Best State Park in America - Amazing

    Since 2021, I am on a quest to visit all 63 US National Parks. So, as I planned for Crater Lake NP, I made a decision to visit Smith Rock as important as Crater Lake. I had visited the high desert of Easter Oregon in 2017 but had somehow missed this park. However, since I had seen it everywhere listed as one of if not the best state park in the country. With my wife and two additional couples, we made every effort to visit this park, and it was simply amazing. After spending three days in the volcanic forest of Crater Lake, you can't believe this place is part of Oregon. It is small but the scenery within it is incredible and some of the best rocks I have seen anywhere. It is made for pictures and the verdant valleys of the Crooked River contrast so dramatically with the desert rock walls it cuts through. There really aren't words to describe it and the pictures will not do it full justice. We did not have the most time, so we simply hiked the River Trail as an out and back around the main corner of the Crooked River. What we did see was amazing and that does not really include the elevation of the rocks. Do not miss this place as it is incredible, equal to any National Park in quality but simply not size.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    July 30, 2026
    montanan_traveler

    Worth Visiting even if Your not a Rock Climber

    We had very smokey weather but still enjoyed our visit a lot. We camped, hiked and watched the fledgling bald eagle chick gaining confidence in its ability to fly. Our hike around Misery Ridge Loop was great in spite of the weather.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    June 15, 2026
    Wisdomof1

    Great park!

    Don't skip this stop! Very nice park with well maintained and well marked trails. So fun to watch all the rock climbers doing their thing!

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    June 15, 2026
    carlotaTravel4fun

    Incredible views not to be missed

    This is an incredible State Park not far from Redmond. There are two parking areas. The first one is to the left when first entering the Park area. Keep driving a little farther down the road to another parking lot that has access to the trail down to the river and canyon. Be sure to buy your day pass and display it on your dashboard. There is a rim trail with views of the canyon and river below. It is a pretty view so if you don’t feel you can take the trail down and back up you can still enjoy a stroll along the rim trail. I would bring binoculars so you can see into the canyon and view the rock climbers below. There are two trails leading down into the canyon. The first one is steps and appears steep,but the steps make it an easy descent. If you keep walking past these steps, there is another trail that is less of a steep descent into the canyon. Both trails come out at the same place. You then cross over a wooden bridge and can take a more challenging trail by walking straight, or turn left for a flat trail along the river. We took the flat path along the river for about two miles and then turned around and headed back. Along the way were incredible views of the jagged rocks, climbers scaling the cliffs, geese and ducks in the river the entire length we walked. We walked as far as the view of “Monkey Face” rock and then turned and went back. The ascent to get out of the canyon is steep no matter which trail you take. It isn’t that long…just take it slow and rest when you need to. You can do it and it is so worth it.

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