Hiking Smith Rock State Park: Otherworldly Central Oregon Staple

Smith Rock State Park is a popular hiking destination located in Terrebonne, about 45 minutes north of Bend in Central Oregon. It is known for its towering rock formations, formed by a combination of volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years. The rock formations and surrounding trails, flanked by the Crooked River calmly meandering, feature stunning vistas. Smith Rock is also a premier destination for rock climbers due to the many established routes throughout every area of the park.

I covered hiking at Smith Rock State Park a bit in a previous blog about an Eastern Oregon road trip but read on for a deep-dive about this Central Oregon crown jewel.

Fast Facts and Info About Smith Rock State Park

Is Smith Rock open year-round?

Yes, Smith Rock is open year-round, even in the snow! However, the hours of the park vary by season, with shorter hours in the winter. To contact the ranger office for Smith Rock State Park, you can call the park’s main phone number at (541) 548-7501. The park is managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and the ranger office is typically staffed during regular business hours.

Is Smith Rock dog friendly?

Yes, Smith Rock State Park is generally dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and are only allowed on certain trails within the park. Dogs are not allowed on the Summit Trail, the Misery Ridge Trail, or the section of the River Trail that runs between the footbridge and the park’s southern boundary.

However, there are many other trails in the park where dogs are allowed, including the Wolf Tree Trail, the Burma Road Trail, and the Homestead Trail. Additionally, dogs are allowed in the park’s day-use area, picnic areas, and parking lots.

Please keep in mind that Central Oregon can get very hot in the summer. Bring plenty of water for your pup and possibly paw pad protection if you plan to spend a significant length of time at the park with your fur kiddos.

Is there a fee or pass required for Smith Rock State Park?

Yes, there is a fee to enter Smith Rock State Park. I was there in early April 2023 and the fee for parking was $5. There are kiosks in all of the parking lots for easy access, and the day parking pass must be displayed on the dash of your vehicle.

You can also purchase an Oregon State Parks Day-Use Parking Permit, which allows access to all Oregon State Parks for a year. Double-check online or at your local park office about the cost, but I believe at the time of this writing it’s $35 for Oregon residents and $70 for non-residents. This permit can be purchased online, at park offices, or at selected vendors throughout the state. Please note: Yearly parking permits are not sold at Oregon State Parks.

How difficult is the hike at Smith Rock State Park?

This really depends on the trail. For example, it’s called “Misery Ridge” for a reason. When I was in my late 20s, this trail was doable in a few minutes. In my late 30s now and still active, but as you can tell from the video, I had to be selfish with my oxygen and pace myself to make it to the top.

There are plenty of trails at Smith Rock that encompass the park from the ground and have picturesque views. The trail is very well-maintained (with help from us Trailkeepers and other volunteers in addition to the rangers).

The Misery Ridge Trail rewards hikers by connecting to The Summit Trail, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The River Trail is an easy hike that follows the Crooked River and provides opportunities for wildlife viewing.

How do I get to Smith Rock State Park?

(Click “View Larger Map” top left to see the expanded interactive map)

If traveling from Portland to Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, driving directions are as follows below. If traveling from Central Western Oregon or Southern Oregon, you’ll need to find a highway that brings you to US-97. From Salem, it’s Highway 22 to Highway 20, and from Corvallis, it’s Highway 20 all the way in.

1. Take US-26 E toward Mt. Hood.
2. Follow US-26 E for approximately 17 miles, then take the exit onto US-97 S toward Bend.
3. Follow US-97 S for approximately 16 miles.
4. Take the Terrebonne/Smith Rock State Park exit and turn right onto NE Smith Rock Way.
5. Follow NE Smith Rock Way for approximately 1 mile, then turn left onto NE Crooked River Dr.
6. Follow NE Crooked River Dr. for approximately 2 miles, then turn right onto NE 1st St.
7. Follow NE 1st St. for approximately 1 mile, then turn left onto NE Wilcox Ave.
8. Follow NE Wilcox Ave. for approximately 0.5 miles, then turn right onto NE 17th St.
9. Follow NE 17th St. for approximately 0.5 miles, then turn left onto NE Crooked River Dr.
10. Follow NE Crooked River Dr. for approximately 0.5 miles until you reach the park entrance.

The drive from Portland to Smith Rock State Park takes approximately 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Things to See at Smith Rock State Park

You may encounter guide llamas in training, birds of prey, river otters, unique geological features, and many rock climbers, cyclists, and hikers. Many lizards and rodents also call the park home. These small animals attract predators. There have been rattlesnake sightings over the years – best to bring ankle gaiters in the late spring and summer months.

From the top of Smith Rock, on a clear day, you can see several peaks in the Cascade Mountain Range, including Mount Hood to the extreme north, Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Broken Top, Three-Fingered Jack, Black Butte, and Paulina. Additionally, murmurs of Big Horn Sheep sightings, thought to be extinct in the region, persist.

The Geological and Cultural History of Smith Rock State Park

One of the main attractions of Smith Rock State Park is its geology. The park is located in an area that was once covered by a shallow sea and is now home to a diverse array of rock formations, including basalt cliffs, spires, and pinnacles.

The park’s most famous rock formation is Monkey Face, a 350-foot-tall rock tower that resembles a monkey’s face (pictured at right).

The park is on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range. Volcanic and sedimentary rock formations formed here over millions of years, as mentioned previously.

The oldest rocks in the park date back to the late Triassic period, which was about 220 million years ago. At this time, the area was a low-lying floodplain. Sediments deposited in the form of sandstone and shale (the white rocks in the video that were a mystery to me – until now!) are still visible. Over an immense amount of time, sediments were buried and compressed, forming the rocks we see today.

During the late Miocene and early Pliocene epochs, which were about 5-20 million years ago, the area experienced volcanic activity. Molten lava flowed out of the ground and formed basalt flows, still seen today in the form of the park’s iconic cliffs and spires.

In addition to these volcanic and sedimentary rocks, the park also contains glacial deposits left behind by glaciers during the Pleistocene epoch, which was about 2 million to 10,000 years ago. These deposits include glacial till, a mixture of rocks, sand, and clay left behind by retreating glaciers.

Directly from SmithRock.com:

Around 30 million years ago massive amounts of ash and debris resulting from the eruptions of nearby volcanos filled the caldera and hardened into rock. Smith Rock Tuff–the largest rock formation on the western rim was the outcome, creating massive walls and spires up to 550 feet. 

Flows of basalt lava then poured into the area over half a million years ago from vents almost 50 miles away, creating the cap on the tuff in the caldera.

The Crooked RIver then made its way through the rock layers to carve the features seen today. At 3200 feet high, the Smith Rock ridgeline rises 600 feet above the river gorge below. 

– SmithRock.com

Native American Heritage in the Region

Smith Rock State Park is located on the traditional lands of several Native American tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

For thousands of years, these tribes have lived, hunted, fished, and gathered in the area that is now Smith Rock State Park. The park’s landscape was an important part of their culture and spiritual beliefs, and they have many stories and legends associated with the rock formations and the surrounding natural features.

Insider Tips, Must-See Attractions, and Other Things to Do at Smith Rock State Park

In addition to hiking, Smith Rock State Park offers opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park also has a visitor center where visitors can learn more about the park’s geology, flora, and fauna.

There are several local businesses with good people around the park, including a summertime must-stop called Juniper Junction because their marionberry ice cream is a godsend. While you wait for your ice cream, the shop has a large collection of rocks, minerals, and gems at decent prices.

Juniper Junction is located directly adjacent to the Smith Rock Climbing Guides office where you can rent equipment and join a guided rock climbing session based on your abilities and skill level.

Just to the South of Terrebonne on US-97 is an alpaca farm and petting zoo for the younger ones called the Crescent Moon Ranch. Kids and adults can pet and feed the happy alpacas from the other side of small fences.

Final Thoughts

If you plan on hiking at Smith Rock State Park, it’s important to come prepared. The park gets crowded, especially during peak season, so plan to arrive early in the day for parking. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat, as the park can get hot and sunny during the summer months. Additionally, be aware of the park’s rules and regulations, including staying on designated trails and keeping your pets on a leash.