Came here for part of a day and really enjoyed it. At the surprise urging of my kids, we ended up hiking up the Misery trail to the other side of the mountain and then around the entire thing - took a couple hours and I was shocked they wanted to do so much. There's lots to see and the views are spectacular. We brought some food and ate at a picnic table before leaving. Would definitely come back. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

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Fantastic views. Easy hike, paved road. Parking is available. Clean restroom. Cute complimentary rock climbing for kids. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

I'm shocked that I haven't written a review for this amazing place! Where do I even begin?! Definitely on my top 5 places to hike. It's absolutely gorgeous, amazing, heavenly, stunning, oh my I can go on LOL! We have hiked here every year for the past 5 years. It's a strenuous hike but such a great workout and your reward for making it to the top is truly worth it--absolutely breathtaking. I love it! Make sure you bring water because you will need it. I also recommend arriving early because after 9am, parking can be very challenging. We normally start our hike around 7am. There is a parking fee of $12.50 for non-state residents but if you live in Oregon, then you only pay 10 buckaroos. I highly recommend anyone to visit this amazing place! read more

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The scenery at Smith Rock is absolutely unreal. I have never been to a place that has this surrounding castle of jagged rock combined with smooth slabs. It is a rock climbers dream! Even if you don't climb, just being there is breathtaking. Alan Watts wrote the must use rock climbing guide to Smith Rock. Tons of great routes for the 5.1 climber up to professional level. Couldn't be me! Misery Ridge is a must do but the steps at the beginning are very difficult so be warned. I have hiked up Misery Ridge (both ways) and it was rewarding both times. Especially seeing monkey face on the back side. There are tons of birds for the bird watchers among you. I myself am not a bird watcher but I have seen golden eagles, a few giant vultures. There are typically geese and ducks in/around the water. Sometimes if you scan the rock walls you can see caves where nests are. I have never seen them but I have heard rumors that if you go early in the morning down to the water, there are river otters that love an all they can eat fish buffet!! I have pet the horses and seen so many cute dogs! Dogs are allowed but need to be on a leash. If your dog is not friendly (like mine) then be aware that there are a ton of dogs around. The summers get very hot there so stay hydrated and expect to not be at the top of your game. Going in the winter is a little dicey but still possible. Check out some of my pictures to see for yourself! Some of my favorite memories are just sitting and watching the sunset through the valley of cliffs! read more

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Smith rock was an amazing morning hike and the best one from our visit to Bend. We woke up early to do Misery ridge trail. There was a lot of parking available but we still had to pay since we were out of town. All in all the trail took us 1 hour 54 min but we probably could have done it in a hour and a half since we took some pictures at the top. We took the right side of the trail since it was the way up misery ridge. It wasn't so bad since the sun was still behind the hill and so halfway up we were shaded. The incline is step and quite exhilarating due to being at the edge of the mountain the whole time. Once at the top we had a great view of the land. We even got higher by doing a Little Rock climbing. On the way down the other side, we saw the money face and walked along the river. There were a lot of gnats but thankfully no mosquitos. I saw two small black snakes on the riverside trail but thankfully no rattlesnakes. I am glad we went early because of the sun and heat against the mountain. It was also packed in the parking lot. There were also people rock climbing and you could see the chalk marks where they scaled the mountain. read more

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If you are an outdoor enthusiast, do not miss spending a day at Smith Rock State Park near Bend, Oregon. This hike has it all. Million dollar views, beautiful flowing river, high desert, snow capped mountains in the distance, big trees, wildlife, you name it! My fiancé and I took the Burma Road loop that I found on the AllTrails app. The app said it was going to be 7.6 miles but my Garmin clocked 8.8 miles. We did park a little bit away from what they had designated as the trailhead. We started at 10 AM on a morning in late July. We were keeping an eye on the weather because we know in the high desert. It can get hot! This specific morning was forecasted to be a little bit cooler than average. The heat was totally bearable for most of the hike, but that last mile was rough. Fortunately, we are experienced tigers, and we had more than enough water, food, and sunscreen with us. I saw a lot of people taking their dogs down into the trail during the heat of the day while we were leaving which is a very bad idea. The only way to get out of the park is a steep climb that is about a half mile long. In fact, that was the hardest part of the hike to me. The big climb actually happened towards the beginning of the hike, but since it was cooler, it was much more doable. This is also a popular rock climbing destination, but there weren't many climbers out, which I'm assuming was because of the heat of the summer. They did have several self aid stations with equipment in case of injuries. The park was excellently maintained, and they were compost toilets in a couple of places. read more

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So glad we visited. Stunning vista and intriguing rock formations! Even the drive in was a feast for the eyes. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

I visited Smith Rock State Park on 21 August 2017 to view a total solar eclipse as part of a group. We arrived early enough in the morning to get parking in the main/central parking area. Trails were clear and straightforward to follow. Rockery with space to sit on was filling up and we were fortunate to find a place where we could sit. Our view faced towards the sun. As the moon moved closer to the sun, some of the birds took flight possibly thinking it was night. The rocks and landscape of the park were beautiful. Vehicular traffic on our departure was well modulated. read more

Worth the drive from Bend. I am not a mountain climber but if you are this is your spot. For the hiking enthusiasts this place has it all from great trails, bathrooms, parking and the fall colors are just spectacular. Loved seeing solo hikers to whole families and even a wedding party enjoying this park. read more

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Amazing. National Park worthy state park. No crowds on a winter Monday. Hiked the River Trail to Misery Ridge Loop for just over four miles. Beautiful the entire way. read more

My friends and I only spent one full day at Smith Rock, but it was the highlight of our Oregon road trip. I'd personally love to go back. We did the Misery Ridge hike and got to see different parts of the park. The landscape is really unique, and it feels like what Mordor (in Lord of the Rings) would look like, if it were a real place. I'd love to go rock climbing or bouldering the next time I'm back! read more

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While vacationing in Oregon last year, we had to visit this state park. A totally different atmosphere and this part of Oregon looks like back home in the desert. This is a climbing Mecca and offers thousands of climbs within the park. Many of these climbs are bolted. They also offer miles of hiking and biking trails. The canyons are deep and the Crooked River runs through them. Unfortunately, while we were visiting we could not hike the Misery Ridge trail to access the famed Monkey Face. The park was in the middle of constructing a new eight foot wide pedestrian bridge. We could not get across the river. There are also plans to build an actual visitors center which is needed since this park is heavily visited. Camping is open early spring through late fall. Camping is on a first come, first served basis. Lots of wildlife to be seen here such as golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. This is a gorgeous park and so unique. We saw lots of climbers too. I am excited to return to hike someday. If you have a dog, they must be on leash at all times and remember to follow the principles and Leave No Trace. read more

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Smith Rock State Park is stunning, but be prepared for crowds on the weekend. Parking can be a challenge, and you'll also need to stop at a fee station before heading in. We managed to take in some beautiful views before continuing on to our next destination. Definitely worth a stop, though I'd recommend visiting earlier in the day or on a weekday for a more relaxed experience. read more

SO AMAZING! Beautiful views all around. Easy and strenuous hiking options. We had our lunch here at a picnic bench. Such a lovely lunch spot. Lots of dogs were in the park and there are dog waste bags available. read more

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Really lovely place to go for a hike. We did the misery trail and it was steep in places, but on a 65 degree sunny day, it was perfect. Such a great place to get outside and moving. A few others on the trails and some more climbing, but not very busy on a gorgeous Friday afternoon read more

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One of the top hiking & beautiful parks in Oregon. Gets busy, but pretty spread out, so not terrible. Misery Ridge trail VERY steep. Don't recommend in Heat. Love it here. Picnic benches. And some easy hiking too. Highly recommend. read more

Rock climbing. Miles of hiking trails, of varying difficulties (Misery Ridge? Aptly named!). An incredible, easily accessible campsite. Swimming. Bird-watching. An unbeatable view. Gorgeous sunsets. Proximity to Bend and Sunriver. Is there a better outdoor adventure and exploration destination anywhere in the state of Oregon? If there is, I haven't heard of it. Whether you've come to Smith Rock for the hiking, rock climbing, camping, or just a day trip to take in the sights of the spectacular spectacle of this miracle of nature, you're in for something special. There are very few places in Oregon, the PNW, or anywhere else on Earth, that offer the quality, quantity and variety of world-class outdoor experiences that Smith Rock does, for next to nothing. Protect it, treasure it, and above all, enjoy it to the fullest extent of what it provides in outdoor activities and adventure opportunities. You will not regret or forget it. read more

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Great place to bird watch, especially during nesting season. There are several trails to hike, and some of them are very strenuous. If you go in the summer, be prepared for constant direct sun and heed the warnings of bringing extra water. The only place we saw trees on the trails was on Wolf Tree. The initial decent is pretty steep, which means coming back up will be difficult. I saw a lot of people struggle with this. It was a beautiful place to spend the day. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

While staying in Bend, a group of 20-somethings ladies decided to visit Smith Rock and we all loved it. We stayed on the main trail along the water, which was very tranquil and pretty. We ended up turning back after a 1.5 miles as we were crunched on time, but could have done more. So if you are looking for a couple hour, mostly easy-level hike then this is it! There are some shady spots throughout the main trail which helped, but definitely bring a water bottle on a warm day. We did see some people also rock climbing and others heading up to the very top which also looked epic, but outside our wheel of outdoor adventure expertise haha. Also - parking was easy to find (and we went on a Saturday afternoon) as theres a good sized lot. A $5 pass is required which we purchased at a machine near the entrance. All in all, you won't be disappointed! read more

Smith Rock State Park - Smith rock - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

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If you are considering coming here do it!! My mom and I did the River trail to the mesa verde trail and ended by going down misery ridge. A lot of people were doing this hike but the opposite way we did it by going up misery ridge first. We kind of avoided the steep parts by doing it backwards which was a good decision. The hike was around 4 miles and took a little over 2 hours. Theres a ton of trails and routes though. Come early because its gets really hot and the parking lot gets crowded. Also you have to bring water on the trail since it's so dry. Such a stunning state park. There were a lot of families with young kids and dogs. My mom doesn't hike very much and is intimidated by challenging trails but she could do this one we just took it slow. Also the people at the welcome center (green/brown yurt) were soo friendly and extremely helpful so ask them if you aren't sure where to go or difficulty levels. Theres bathrooms and spots to fill up water along the way as well. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

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Lovely park! I wish I had a chance to come without kids and get some more intense elevation and miles out of this, but as is, we had fun with our little kids. We saw lots of rock climbers and a couple people tubing down the river. DRIVING ACCESS Not far off the highway. All paved roads to get there. PARKING Several spots available around 10am on a Monday (July 1) near Canyon Trailhead. You go to a machine to get a $5 pass. Google and Apple Pay tap-to-pay weren't working, but a credit card worked. No cash. AMENITIES Restrooms at the trailhead and at several spots along the River Trail. They are compost bathrooms that are very clean. Water near the trailhead, but not once you're on trail. SHADE Very little on the River Trail, but there are occasional spots with shade where you can stop and rest. THE HIKE We did the River Trail (https://www.smithrock.com/trails/river-trail) and as an out and back, you can make it as long or short as you want. We did a ~3-mile round trip with 4 kids, ages 3-6, in tow. It took us 2.5 hours. Very flat, except for the first 0.1 miles or so, which is a big downhill (so we gave the kids plenty of warning that it would be a big uphill at the end). CELL SERVICE Yes, surprisingly, we had service throughout the hike! We have T-Mobile. CROWDS It was pretty busy but not crazy. As a slower group with little kids, we often had to stop to let groups behind or ahead of us pass us by, as the trail can be a little narrow at times. We saw lots of rock climbers throughout the park. read more

Incredible state park to visit with multiple hiking options. Found in the middle of farm land/residential area this pocket of mountains were a sight we were so thankful to see. We completed the Misery Ridge loop and while we found it was completely appropriately named it was also incredibly beautiful with breathtaking views at the top. My kids loved seeing all the climbers and now aspire to do some rock climbing themselves. read more

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Finally got to complete Misery Ridge. If you deal with vertigo or have issues with heights, the going up and over from the bridge can be tough. My vertigo bit hard about 3/4 the way up...just from the turns within the stairs, pretty steep drops at times. Powered through though, and I'm so glad. This trail is so great, fab views literally every given moment. I especially loved the trail down over the back and around Monkey Face, just a spectacular sight. The wind was quite harsh while we were there, so we didn't get to hang out up top and explore as much as we'd like, must return! Just another amazing hike at Smith Rock. read more

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A must stop for my family and me. Of all the interesting things to do here, my favorite is walking to the top and following the trails to stunning views. It's fun to watch the climbers do their thing. The sheer beauty of this clean, well maintained park will always keep me coming back. Bring sun protection clothing, sunscreen and lots of water. read more

Smith Rock is definitely a must if you're in the area, even if you're not much of an outdoor trail enthusiast. Spectacular views and beautifully maintained natural landscape. Be sure to wear appropriate comfortable shoes, you most likely will stay longer than you think and enjoy the great outdoors! Stay on the paths and/or be very cautious of dangerous natural cracks and cliffs. read more

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One of the most beautiful places I've visited. I'm definitely not a rock climber, but it looks like a good place to do so. I saw quite a few. I am a hiker, but this was a random visit on my way back from a work conference. I wasn't here long enough to do that. Besides, the snakes were out hardcore. I'm not a fan of rattlesnakes, so I'd probably vote for biking here. Take a minute to check out the info in the yurt. read more

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I did a really awesome hike in Oregon in Smith Rock State Park! The scenery is really stunning with beautiful rock formations and the river, but this is not for the faint of heart... it is aptly named Misery Ridge Trail ! It's definitely a workout with the elevation gain and countless steps but your rewarded with some pretty amazing views. Trail: Misery Ridge Trail Difficulty: Hard Length: 3.5 miles Elevation gain: 948 feet Try it out if you're visiting! Make sure to always have a map. read more

This is no secret, it's 10 o'clock in the morning and there are hundreds of cars & hundreds of Harley's here already. Beautiful fabulous rocks, the landscape here is truly out of this world. Lots of marked beautifully maintained trails with snowcapped mountains in the background. We saw bikers, rock climbers with ropes and many hikers all ages & sizes. At north point, there was a monument indicating that a big fire destroyed this area and it was re-built. There are golden eagles here year-round, their nest is over 4 feet across and 12 feet tall, weighing as much as 2000 pounds. We didn't see anything flying above nor any nests. There are port a potty's, picnic tables, garbage receptacles & lots of clearly marked parking. There was a few to park & a machine to purchase a ticket. read more

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Wow funny how I discovered Smith Rock State Park... I was in a gift shop while exploring the Columbia River Gorge area and I was looking through postcards. Then I stumbled upon this really scenic place with rugged hiking terrain and terrific sights from high above! It said...Smith Rock State Park. What? Where? I mean...I'm Mr. Explorer, Mr. National Parks Guy...Mr. Know It All...at least I thought I was. But here was this park...just plain ole, Smith Rock. Lol, Smith...it's the most common last name in America...and here's this park that from the postcard looked anything but ordinary. Best of all for me...I was actually headed down south on my way towards Crater Lake National Park. And here Smith Rock was located right off Highway 97...only 120 miles away from Crater Lake. Perfect! I had no problem taking an extra day and touring around Smith Rock. Had I not been heading towards Crater Lake...who knows when I'd be returning to the Oregon area. I must say...when I visited back in August...there wasn't a cloud in the sky. No matter how hot it was, I was just excited for having the chance to take great pictures and uncover new and interesting sights. Smith Rock Park opened at 7am, which was great for me as I'm an early person. When I arrived, the parking lot area was starting to fill up already. I could sense it was going to be a worthwhile day. It's a $5 entry fee. You can simply use your credit card at a machine to pay. There was a small booth right near the entrance for any information or questions you may have. The bathrooms were located here as well. Cell phone reception for me having AT&T was sort of spotty throughout the day. If anyone is interested in picture taking...I actually found that immediately past the entrance was the best spot for photos. There were a few overlooks that really exuded what Smith Rock State Park was all about. I was able to capture a lot of the cliff faced walls and dramatic backdrops extending into the distance. Although you may get excited to start exploring and hiking when you arrive, I highly recommend stopping and capturing some ideal photographic opportunities. My best pictures came from here...just past the entrance. The primary hike...and what most people come here for is the MISERY LOOP TRAIL. I agree with this. Like the name states, it a strenuous 3.7 mile round trip hike gaining 1700 feet in elevation...it pretty much covers all the ground and main highlights of Smith Rock. There were other hikes that weren't as difficult and traversed different areas of the park...but since I was here specifically for catching the best views of the land, Misery Trail was first and foremost for me. If you have extra time...then I'd consider checking out another trail. Also...a lot of these trails intersect and connect with each other...so you might as well do the best hike since you'll probably be navigating a portion of Misery trail at some point during your time here. I noticed people asking the lady at the info desk for advice on which hikes to take. She recommended Misery Trail to me. So...you can take Misery Trail (since it's a loop) in 2 different directions. Most people were starting just past the picnic area...as it specifically stated the starting point for the trailhead. When you do begin...the initial hike to the top was nothing but elevated switchbacks. It was difficult but might as well get the worst out of the way early. Upon climbing...immediately you're pretty high up and the views start blossoming! One deterrent at the top of Smith Rock was the sun. For me being a photo enthusiast, once I arrived at the summit...the sun shined brightly against my face making moments to snap pictures of the southern Oregon landscape quite hard. Though as I continued on the trail and made my way around the top...the scenery improved greatly. Up at the peak of the rock/mesa you can walk off the path to get close to the edge for better pics. You can see rock climbers from afar. And...Smith Rock is a rock climber's paradise! This place reminded me of rock climbing at Pinnacles National Park in California. Finally, before descending back down from atop Smith Rock...I witnessed probably the pinnacle/apex/iconic moment of what this park is all about. The view looking down below had me in awe! I was confronted by the free standing rock called Monkey face...a 350 foot spire emerging from the ground that I initially viewed in the postcard in the gift shop that had me so inspired to visit Smith Rock. It was as if my journey here had come full circle, lol. As I trekked down the cliff, I had to go very slowly here as the pathway was like a straight drop and so steep...there really weren't any handrails either. I warn, just be careful. The trail the rest of the way was pleasant passing some rivers and creeks. Making it back to the entrance in early afternoon, I had a sense of accomplishment that I made time to check out this under the radar and hidden gem of a State Park...Smith Rock! read more

This is an amazing Park. Very pretty! Definitely worth the stop. We happen to have a state park pass.. Also, right up the street from the state park is a great little pumpkin patch with food cards and all kinds of stuff for family and kids. We didn't stop but it looked fun. read more

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I've been to Smith Rock numerous times over the decades. In years gone by the place was mostly a well kept secret and you'd typically just see locals or Mazamas there. These days the word is out so you want to get here early (and I mean EARLY!) if you desire any solitude on the trails. There are many "novice" rock climbing venues in the Portland area. Smith Rock is more for advanced climbers who have at least basic climbing skills. There are a wide variety of climbing choices from fairly easy to quite challenging. It's not Yosemite but unless you are already at the top of your game you'll probably find an ascent that pushes your limits. If you're training for a Hood/Adams/Rainier/etc climb, this is a great place to prep yourself for the climb. Many hiking trails and I believe that this is what draws the majority of visitors to this park. Easy loop trails to more advanced day-long hikes. Unlike the Columbia Gorge hikes, you are pretty much out in the open at Smith so take that into account when preparing. Lotsa water, head covering, sunscreen and so on. I go there mostly for the photography since I am well into geezerdom now. You do want to plan ahead as getting favorable lighting can be a problem especially during Summer months. I tend to go for golden/blue hour light so for me it means driving down the day before, getting a motel room and then showing up at O'Dark 30 to start my day. You rarely run into staff or Rangers beyond the parking lot but the folks who work there are on a par with USFS Rangers.... very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. In my advanced years I have come to really appreciate the professionalism and dedication of these people and the fact that Oregon invests so heavily keeping the park service in top notch shape. read more

This place is so cool! I took a break from skiing and stopped by this state park. It's very well kept and very clean. It's very picturesque with a nice stream running through. Lots of rock climbers enjoying themselves and although it was a bit chilly when we were there, I'm sure it's very nice in the spring. There's only the one single bridge that gets you across the river so you'll have to hike the whole way around or turn back to get back to your car. read more

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One of the wonders of Oregon and if you go it's east to see why. Smith Rock is so beautiful and it offers hiking, picnic areas, camping and a pumpkin patch/corn maze in the fall. Misery ridge is a popular hike and it's pretty short, just a lot of incline, so bring a hot and lots of water! read more

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Came around 10am Mon morning. Busy but not too bad. Parking is $5 and you get pass from little kiosk in far parking lot. Bring a lot of water! We only brought 2 bottle each not enough. Scenic views. Did a little of Misery Trail and mostly River trail. read more

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Beautiful rocks, plenty of parking and lot of things to do. Main road not really marked that great for the Smith Rock turn. You can see the rocks from main road and while driving towards then. First I came up to a parking area that has wonderful views of area, climbers and paths. This would be great for a stroll and good for wheelchairs. Same area has 2 Porta potties one is handicap. If you don't have a pass it has a pay station and costs $5 for the day pass. When I have more time would love ot explore more below but was just passing by. read more

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My oh my, where do I start? I feel like a kid frolicking around this beautiful state park. The views are breathtaking, the trails are multi-use, and the facilities are well maintained. There's something for everyone here. The day use fee is $5. Lots of space to social distance! I'm already planning my next trip here! read more

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Went to put in some miles on the hiking trails and got my money's worth and then some. Daily parking rate is still $5. The parking kiosk doesn't give you any other options than the daily permit. Unfortunately the office never opened that day; I was hoping to purchase the annual pass. There are multiple hiking trails of various difficulty. Some follow the river and are fairly flat. Some trails can be used for biking and horseback riding as well. And let's not forget the rock climbing possibilities. Truly a multi-use trail system. I took the summit trail then the misery ridge trail for a counter clockwise loop. Near the end of the Burma maintenence road, you get an expansive view of Smith Rock, Red Wall, Three Sisters and Mount Batchelor. The Crooked River is wonderfully ubiquitous in any viewpoint. You also get a beautiful unobstructed view of Mount Hood. Very fortunate to have had such a clear sunny day. read more

Smith Rock State Park - Haloed Monkey Face, Crooked River, Smith Rock - Parks Near Me - Terrebonne, Oregon

The stay was fabulous, the pool was amazing. The views are spectacular. Do not go to the bar on site, you will never get served. The stars are for just the stay and pool area. read more

I LOVE smith rock!!! Traveled to Bend on a whim and decided to visit Smith Rock. I am a big climber however i have only climbed in a gym. I found some friends to go with to Smith and climbed for the very first time OUTDOORS! It was absolutely amazing. Some places are really just plain breath taking and smith rock is one of those. The sunset was so beautiful. Like cotton candy in the sky. The weather was perfect. I really appreciated how everyone there respected the park. There wasn't any trash, people brought their own climbing gear to not put too much stress on the draws on the rocks, it was awesome. My second day I did a hike. I decided on the summit trail which was about 7.5 miles. It was really great, the summit view is amazing. Once again I saw no trash which was really really great. Everyone was so nice, said hi when they would walk by. Very pleasant. The walk back up to your car is pretty steep so prepare yourself for that! I will be back. Thank you for the awesome experience and memories smith rock! read more

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STSP is an absolutely fantastic place to go, for nature lovers of all stripes. This is one of the premier/iconic attractions in Oregon, and for good reason. Because it's so popular, it is quite busy at all times of day and year. Be prepared to hunt for parking, although they have an overflow lot in a field that pretty much guarantees you'll find a spot. The big tip here is to drop someone off at one of the pay stations while you find a spot; otherwise you could be looking at a 10-15 minute walk each way to go buy a pass and come back to put it on your car. I'd also advise bringing cash, as the credit card machine isn't always working. Now that the logistics are out of the way, let's talk about the fun stuff! As mentioned, folks of all levels of fitness and nature acumen can enjoy Smith Rock. The views of the craggy ridges from the parking lot alone make this a worthy drive out from Bend and its surrounds. It's quite a small park, but there are a number of easy trails that let you get a variety of views and experience several different environments (forest, stream, etc). I would advise against the Misery Ridge trail for any hiker; too difficult for beginners and not worth it for experienced hikers. For the latter I would highly recommend the Summit Loop trail instead. This ~7 mile hike takes you on a tour of the entire park, giving you views of every angle and attraction, incl Monkey Rock, iconic Crooked Creek, and breathtaking views of Central Cascades peaks from atop Smith Rock itself. I found this to be a hugely rewarding hike, and would advise doing the loop in a clockwise direction so as to take the final N Unit Irrigation Access Rd as a gentle descent rather than a long trudge uphill. This way you'll also finish via the Wolf Tree Trail, which is a welcome walk in the woods after your long, exposed desert hike. I'm not a rock climber so no advice on that here, but I can see why this place is a mecca for climber community. Climber or hiker, marathon runner or couch potato, make sure to get out and see Smith Rock on your next trip to Central Oregon! read more

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