May 8, 2025 - Things to Do

Oregon Outside: Visiting Smith Rock State Park

Kale Williams

A wide shot shows the deep canyon and steep rock walls of Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. — Has volcanic ash ever looked so good? Photo: Kale Williams/Axios

Perched high above the central Oregon desert, Smith Rock towers over the Crooked River canyon.

State of play: The 650-acre park is bisected by the river, with massive spires jutting from both banks.

It's a hot spot for rock climbers, with more than 1,000 bolted routes.
But for those of us who like to keep two feet on the ground, the park has plenty of trails — from a leisurely stroll along the river to the grueling and aptly-named trek up Misery Ridge.

💭 My thought bubble: Whether you're hiking, rock climbing or even just taking in the view from the parking lot, Smith Rock impresses just for its incongruity with the surrounding landscape.

The nearly 600-foot faces of the canyon seem to pop out of nowhere in the mostly flat surrounding desert.
And it's all framed by the snow-capped Cascades — Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Bachelor and Hood are all visible.

If you go: Smith Rock State Park is about 10 minutes outside of Redmond in Central Oregon, a little less than three hours from Portland.

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Oregon Outside: Visiting Smith Rock State Park

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