Smith Rock Camping Guide

Camping at Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park sits in the high desert just north of Terrebonne, Oregon, about 30 minutes from Bend. The park is famous for its sport climbing and the dramatic Misery Ridge Loop, but it is also one of the few Oregon state parks where you can camp on a tight budget and roll out of your tent straight onto the trail. If you want to maximize a weekend here, planning your sleep is just as important as planning your hikes. For a full two-day plan, see our Smith Rock weekend hiking and climbing itinerary.

The Bivouac (The Bivy)

The park's own campground is the walk-in Bivouac, known to climbers simply as the Bivy. It is a primitive, first-come first-served area perched on the rim above the Crooked River canyon. There are no marked sites and no reservations. You park in the day-use lot, carry your gear a short distance, and find a flat spot among the junipers and sagebrush.

• Cost: a low nightly per-person fee, paid at the self-pay station, plus the standard day-use parking fee.
• Showers: hot showers and flush toilets are available near the welcome center, a rare luxury for primitive camping.
• No fires: open flames are prohibited because of high desert fire danger. Bring a camp stove for cooking.
• No vehicle camping: the Bivy is tent-only and walk-in, so RVs and car sleeping are not allowed in the lot.

The Bivy fills fast on spring and fall weekends, so arrive early on Friday if you want a quiet, shaded spot.

Campgrounds Near Smith Rock

If the Bivy is full or you want hookups, there are good options within a short drive. Skull Hollow Campground, run by the Forest Service near Grizzly, is the climber overflow favorite and offers more space about 15 minutes east. Crooked River Ranch has an RV park with hookups north of the park. For more amenities, the campgrounds and resorts around Redmond and Bend put you within easy reach of restaurants and gear shops while keeping the trails close.

Lodging in Terrebonne and Redmond

Not everyone wants to sleep on the ground after a long day on Monkey Face. The town of Terrebonne sits at the park entrance and has a handful of inns, vacation rentals, and the legendary Terrebonne Depot for dinner. Just south, Redmond offers chain hotels and is only 10 minutes away. Bend, 30 minutes south, has the widest range of breweries, coffee, and lodging if you want a basecamp with nightlife.

What to Pack for High Desert Camping

The high desert means big temperature swings. Summer days can top 90 degrees while nights drop into the 40s, and shade is scarce. Pack accordingly.

• A warm sleeping bag and layers for cold mornings, even in summer.
• Plenty of water; there is no water on the trails and the canyon traps heat.
• Sun protection: wide hat, sunscreen, and lightweight long sleeves.
• A camp stove, since fires are banned.
• Sturdy stakes and a tent that can handle gusty afternoon wind on the rim.

Best Seasons to Camp

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are prime, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool nights ideal for sleeping. Summer camping is popular but hot, so plan hikes like the River Trail for early morning. Winter is quiet and frosty but doable for hardy campers, with snow occasionally dusting the canyon walls.

Plan Your Trip

Once you have your camp sorted, the rest of the weekend falls into place: sunrise on the rim, the climb up Misery Ridge, and a flat afternoon stroll along the Crooked River. Pair this guide with our detailed Smith Rock weekend itinerary to map out exactly which trails to hit each day.