Smith Rock State Park | Central Oregon

Located near Redmond and Terrebonne, the 650-acre Smith Rock State Park is the most beautiful natural wonder of the Central Oregon high desert. A ridge with the highest promontory 3,200-foot (980 m) that rises over the Crooked River Canyon is one of the most popular sites in the world for rock climbers.

Smith Rock Geological and Historical Facts

The Smith Rock caldera was formed by volcanic activity roughly 30 million years ago when rock over the lava chamber collapsed. This dramatic event created older Smith Rock tuff. Later volcanoes located nearby erupted and covered tuff with basalt lava. The ancestral channel of the Crooked River was blocked by lava flows and the river formed a new channel through the mass of lava and volcanic vents.

The origin of the name is questionable. Some speculate that it was named after a soldier Smith who fell from the rock and died in 1863 when his unit was camping in the area. Another version is that the location was named after the Oregon State legislator and Linn Country Sheriff John Smith during the 1850s and 1860s. This version was brought up and published by the Albany State Rights Democrat in 1867 claiming that John Smith is the person who discovered the Smith Rock Ridge.

Explore Smith Rock and enjoy picturesque views of rugged canyons with the Crooked River winding its way and colorful sheer cliffs of basaltic tuff.

While hiking through the canyon, you might see deer, geese, golden eagles, prairie falcons, otters, and beavers.

Visitors can find a variety of activities in Smith Rock State Park including running, hiking, camping, and climbing.

Climbing

The main attraction of Smith Rock is rock climbing of all sorts including traditional climbing, multi-pitch climbing, sports climbing, and bouldering. The park features over 1,800 rock climbing routes of different difficulties ranging from fourth class to 5.14. More than a thousand routes are bolted.

There are several climbing spots at the Smith Rock State Park. These include Christian Brothers, The Dihedrals, The Upper and Lower Gorge, The Marsupials, Monkey Face Area, Morning Glory Wall, Picnic Lunch Wall, Red Wall, Rope-de-Dope, Ships and Gullies, Smith Rock Groups, and West Side Crags. Given the number of spots and routes, climbers of any level can find multiple options.

Running & Hiking

For running and hiking enthusiasts Rock Smith offers many trails that can be separated by the level of difficulty.

Easy difficulty trails are characterized by minimal elevation and easy terrain. Those trails include Canyon Trail (1.6 miles), North Point Trail (0.3 miles), Rim Rock Trail (0.5 miles), River Trail (2.2 miles), and Wolf Tree Trail (1 mile).

Medium difficulty trails feature some elevation change and moderate terrain. Those include Homestead Trail (1 mile), Mesa Verde Trail (0.7 miles), Rope-De-Dope Trail (0.5 miles), and Summit Trail (2.5 miles).

High difficulty trails are characterized by a variety of terrain and the highest elevation change. Those trails are Burma Road Trail (1 mile), Chute Trail (500 ft), Misery Ridge Trail (0.7 miles), Misery Ridge Loop (4 miles), and Summit Loop (7.5 miles).

Camping

Camping is another option for park visitors. The walk-in at the Bivy Campground is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. During the fall and spring months Friday through Sunday the campground is generally full. Leave your vehicle in the bivouac parking area and walk to the tent campground. RV camping and sleeping in vehicles are prohibited.

Smith Rock State Park is open year-round. Day-use visitors are allowed to be in the Smith Rock State Park from dawn till dusk. Dogs on the leash are allowed in the park.

Open: Year-round
Managed: Oregon State Park
Location: Smith Rock State Park

Services: Picnic areas, flush restrooms
Accommodations: Bivouac area for tents - first-come, first-serve
Distance from the parking: Vary
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes or Parking Permit for State Parks

Activities: Climbing, hiking, running, nature viewing, fishing, picnicking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Popularity: High
Restrictions: No open fires

Elevation: 2,700 ft (823 m)

Smith Rock is located: