Smith Rock State Park: A Weekend Hiking & Climbing Itinerary
One park, sheer spires, a desert river & world-class rock, in central Oregon.
Two days of Smith Rock hiking: the must-do Misery Ridge Loop up and over the ridge past Monkey Face, the flat River Trail along the Crooked River, and a taste of the birthplace of American sport climbing.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
8 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Smith Rock: every stop pinned in order.
Smith Rock, the Crooked River & Misery Ridge · central Oregon
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Smith Rock in photos: 5 of the stops.
Plan and book your 2 days in Smith Rock, one step at a time
- From November 2026 through March 2027, construction will close the overflow parking lot, sections of the Rim Rock Trail, the North Point Loop Trail and the adjacent parking area at times; the Bivouac walk-in camp is open only to November 15. Source
How 2 days in Smith Rock split up
Plan 2 days for Smith Rock. Signature hike: Misery Ridge. Day-use fee: $5 / car. Climbing routes: 1,800+. Smith Rock State Park sits in the high desert of central Oregon near Terrebonne, where sheer walls of welded volcanic tuff rise hundreds of feet above a bend in the Crooked River. It is widely considered the birthplace of American sport climbing, and on any given weekend you'll see climbers stitched up the rust-colored cliffs while hikers wind along the river below.
Day 1: Misery Ridge Loop · up and over past Monkey Face
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: River Trail, climbing & high-desert light
4 stops · Day two
Misery Ridge Loop · up and over past Monkey Face
Start your weekend with the park's signature route, the Misery Ridge Loop (about 3.7 to 4 miles round trip). Drop from the parking area down to the footbridge over the Crooked River, then climb the steep, switchbacking Misery Ridge Trail straight up the face of the rock. It earns its name, but the payoff is enormous: sweeping high-desert views and a head-on look at the Monkey Face, the 350-foot freestanding spire that is one of the most famous formations in American climbing.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive from~10 min · RDM airport ~20 min · DriveSmith Rock sits in the high desert near Terrebonne, just off Highway 97 in central Oregon. It is about 10 minutes from Redmond, roughly 20 minutes from Redmond Airport (RDM), and about 30 minutes from Bend, so it makes an easy weekend whether you fly in or drive.
- Smith Rock day-use lot & overlook
$5 day-use fee · first canyon view · ViewpointPay the $5 day-use parking fee at the main lot and walk to the rim overlook for your first look down into the canyon, with the welded-tuff spires rising above the Crooked River. This is a day-use state park, so plan to base your nights in Terrebonne, Redmond, or Bend.
- Misery Ridge Loop
~3.7–4 mi · steep · Monkey Face · HikeDrop to the Crooked River footbridge, then climb the steep, switchbacking Misery Ridge Trail straight up the rock for sweeping high-desert views and a head-on look at Monkey Face, the 350-foot freestanding spire. The back side descends to join the flat River Trail, which loops you home. Start early, carry water, and take the climb slowly.
Ian Poellet / CC BY-SA 3.0Stay in Redmond or TerrebonneBase near the park · drive in daily · lodgeSmith Rock has no in-park lodging beyond a walk-in, tent-only bivouac campground, so base in Terrebonne right next door or in Redmond about 10 minutes away. Book ahead for summer and fall weekends when central Oregon fills up.
River Trail, climbing & high-desert light
Take it easier on day two with the flat River Trail, which follows the Crooked River along the base of the cliffs with almost no elevation gain. It is the best place to crane your neck up at the walls, watch climbers work the routes, and feel the scale of the park without the burn of Misery Ridge. From here you can branch onto the Wolf Tree, Burma Road, or Summit Trail if you want more distance or a different angle on the rock.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
River Trail along the Crooked RiverFlat · easy · best wall views · HikeTake it easier with the flat River Trail, which follows the Crooked River along the base of the cliffs with almost no elevation gain. It is the best place to crane up at the walls, watch climbers work the routes, and feel the scale of the park without the burn of Misery Ridge.
- Watch the climbing
1,800+ routes · sport-climbing birthplace · ViewpointSmith Rock is the birthplace of American sport climbing, with more than 1,800 routes from beginner slabs to the legendary lines on Monkey Face. Spend part of the day watching the action from the River Trail, or arrange a half-day with a local guide if you want to tie in.
Summit Trail or Burma RoadAdd distance · a new angle · HikeIf you want more distance or a different perspective, branch onto the Summit Trail, Burma Road, or Wolf Tree. They climb out of the canyon for wider views over the high desert and the full sweep of the rock, and they are usually quieter than the main loop.
Sunset over the spiresRust-colored tuff glows · wide sky · ViewpointSave the last hour for the high-desert light. The rust-colored tuff glows at sunset and the wide-open sky over the Crooked River is the kind of view that makes the weekend. From here, Redmond Airport (RDM) is only about 20 minutes away and Bend is roughly 30 minutes south for an easy trip home.
Book the 1 night
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the checking. We find what is still open near each trailhead and email you this plan back with a booking link for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Smith Rock
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
Specific to Smith Rock
What we actually learned in the high desert.
Pay the $5 day-use fee
Smith Rock is a day-use state park with a $5 per-vehicle day-use parking fee. Pay at the parking area when you arrive, or use an Oregon State Parks annual pass. There is no overnight parking at the main lots.
Lodging is outside the park
The only camping is a walk-in, tent-only bivouac campground near the rim. For everything else, base in Terrebonne right next door, in Redmond about 10 minutes away, or in Bend about 30 minutes south, and book ahead for summer and fall weekends.
Hike early and beat the heat
The canyon is exposed and bakes in summer afternoons. Spring and fall are the best seasons, but in summer start Misery Ridge at first light, carry plenty of water, and save the flat River Trail for the warmer part of the day.
Carry your own water
There is no water out on the trails, and the high desert is dry. Bring at least 2 liters per person for Misery Ridge, more in summer, and pack out everything you bring in.
Watch for snakes and ticks
This is rattlesnake country, so watch where you step and reach, especially on warm rocks. Check yourself for ticks after hiking, and keep dogs leashed on the trails to protect them and the wildlife.
Respect the climbing and closures
Smith Rock is the birthplace of American sport climbing with over 1,800 routes. Golden eagles nest on some walls and close certain routes seasonally, so check and respect posted closures whether you climb or just watch.
Smith Rock: questions before you go
Smith Rock hiking: the questions people ask most.
The must-do hike is the Misery Ridge Loop, about 3.7 to 4 miles round trip. It crosses the Crooked River, climbs steeply up and over the ridge for huge high-desert views past the Monkey Face spire, then drops back along the flat River Trail. It is steep but short, and it packs the best of Smith Rock hiking into one loop.
Misery Ridge is steep and earns its name, gaining several hundred feet of elevation quickly up exposed switchbacks. It is short, though, at roughly 3.7 to 4 miles for the full loop, and most reasonably fit hikers manage it by taking the climb slowly. Start early in summer, carry water, and watch your footing on the loose volcanic tuff.
A weekend is ideal. One day for the signature Misery Ridge Loop past Monkey Face, and a second day for the flat River Trail, the Summit or Burma Road trails, and watching or trying the climbing. Smith Rock is compact, so two days lets you cover the highlights without rushing.
Yes. Smith Rock is a day-use state park with a $5 per-vehicle day-use parking fee, payable at the parking area, or covered by an Oregon State Parks annual pass. There is no separate gate, but you do need to pay to park.
Smith Rock has only a walk-in, tent-only bivouac campground near the rim, mainly used by climbers. There are no RV sites or cabins in the park. For more comfortable lodging, base in Terrebonne next door, in Redmond about 10 minutes away, or in Bend about 30 minutes south.
Spring and fall are the best seasons, with comfortable temperatures and good light. Summer afternoons get hot in the exposed canyon, so hike early. Winter is quieter and can be cold, but the trails are often still walkable on clear days.
Smith Rock is widely regarded as the birthplace of American sport climbing, where bolted, gymnastic routes first took hold in the United States. The park has more than 1,800 routes on its welded-tuff walls, from beginner slabs to the legendary lines on the 350-foot Monkey Face spire, drawing climbers from around the world.
Smith Rock is in central Oregon near Terrebonne, just off Highway 97. The nearest airport is Redmond (RDM), about 20 minutes away, with Bend roughly 30 minutes south. Most visitors base in Redmond, Terrebonne, or Bend and drive in for the day.
Misery Ridge is a steep, unshaded grunt up loose volcanic scree with zero sun protection, so start the loop at first light before the canyon bakes. Pack a full hydration bladder with electrolytes rather than plain water alone, wear a wide-brimmed sun hat and sturdy shoes with grip for the loose tuff, and use sunscreen. There is no water out on the trail, so carry at least 2 liters per person, and more on a hot day.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 2-day route. Same 6 stops.
- 1 night, the Smith Rock Bivouac walk-in area
- $24
- 1 night, a room in Redmond
- from $140
- A private local guide, rooms and campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked September 2026
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What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
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You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
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