• Peter Skene Ogden Wayside is a dramatic 300-foot-deep canyon into the Crooked River Gorge
• Features a stunning view, walking trails with interpretive panels, picnic areas, and bungee jumping
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint is a dramatic 300-foot-deep canyon overlook located in the Crooked River Gorge, about nine miles north of Redmond, right off US Route 97.
The scenic viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the Crooked River Canyon.
Three historic bridges span the basalt gorge, carved by the Crooked River over thousands of years. Before the first bridge was built, this canyon was a major obstacle for early travelers.
🔴 Warning: Signs around the park caution visitors: “Many dogs have died here! Put your dog back in the vehicle!”
History of Peter Skene Ogden Wayside
The site is named after Peter Skene Ogden, a Hudson’s Bay Company trapper who is believed to have explored the area in 1825.
The first bridge, the Oregon Trunk Line Railway Bridge, was built in 1910. It is a steel two-hinged arch span measuring 460 feet in length.
The Crooked River High Bridge (old highway bridge) was built in 1926, a quarter mile upstream, by engineer Conde McCullough. At the time, its 464-foot span made it the highest single-arch bridge in the United States.
Today, it is open to foot traffic only and offers spectacular views of the canyon.
The modern highway bridge, the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge, was completed in 2000 to handle increased traffic on US 97.
The site also includes a memorial dedicated to World War II fighter pilot Rex T. Barber, known for his role in intercepting Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s aircraft in 1943. He retired as a colonel in 1961 and later lived in Culver, Oregon.
Notable History Incident
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint was also the site of a well-known criminal case in Oregon history.
Jeannace June Freeman was convicted after throwing two children (ages 4 and 6) into the Crooked River Gorge.
She was sentenced to death in 1961, becoming the first woman in Oregon to receive a death sentence. Her sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment, and she died in prison in 2003.
Things to Do at Peter Skene Ogden Wayside
Peter Skene Ogden State Park
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint sits within an 86-acre state park featuring interpretive panels that explain the area’s geology and history.
Visitors can enjoy grassy picnic areas, short cliffside walking paths, picnic tables, and restrooms. Parking is available for cars, trucks, and trailers, though space for larger vehicles is limited.
Bungee Jumping
The Crooked River High Bridge is a popular bungee jumping location, typically open from May through October.
Camping, Lodging & Vacation Rentals
Overnight camping is not officially allowed at the viewpoint, but overnight parking is often permitted for vehicles, including RVs and trailers. Many travelers use it as a convenient overnight stop, especially during busy seasons.
Smith Rock State Park, about 12 miles away, offers walk-in tent camping at the Bivy Campground on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak seasons (spring and fall weekends), it often fills quickly. RV camping and vehicle sleeping are not allowed inside the campground.
The nearest lodging and vacation rentals are available in Redmond.
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Redmond
Peter Skene Ogden Wayside | Facts
Open: Year-round from sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Oregon State Parks
Amenities: Picnic areas, restrooms
Activities: Hiking, nature viewing, picnicking
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Free
Elevation: 2,700 ft (823 m)
Peter Skene Ogden Wayside is located:
- 9 miles north of Redmond
- 26 miles north of Bend
- 138 miles east of Salem.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Peter Skene Ogden Wayside
From Redmond,
- Travel north 8.8 miles on US-97 to the destination.