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 1155 reviews
  • TripAdvisor Rating
    August 30, 2026
    O7169IQjulier

    Fabulous view

    We've been here several times. The most difficult hike we've taken was Misery Ridge. I'm writing from a different perspective this time. We're visiting Central OR to celebrate the end of my cancer treatment. Greatly weakened by impact of chemo, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy, I wasn't sure about visting. But we did! We arrived on a Saturday afternoon. We didn't do any hiking. We wandered around, took great pics of the Crooked River and the rock, identified hikes that we could see from where we stood, saw a big snake and lots of birds. It was good to breathe the air, be grateful to have survived so far, and set a hiking goal for next time.

  • 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!

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