Smith Rock State Park is a canyon of orange and red volcanic tuff cliffs cut by the Crooked River, widely credited as the birthplace of American sport climbing in the 1980s and still one of the country's most active climbing areas. Even without climbing gear, the hiking trails give close-up views of the cliffs and the river below. It's realistic as a day trip from Bend, but from Portland the 2.5-hour drive each way makes for a long day focused almost entirely on the park.
| Distance | 30 miles (48 km) north of Bend; 160 miles (257 km) southeast of Portland |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 30 minutes from Bend; 2.5 hours from Portland |
| Getting there | Car: From Bend via US-97 North (~30 min). From Portland via US-26 and US-97 (~2.5 hours). No regular bus service to Smith Rock |
| Address | 9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne, OR 97760 |
How to get there
- Car from Bend (30 min via US-97)
- Car from Portland (2.5 hours via US-26 / US-97)
Location
9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne, OR 97760
44.3685, -121.1430 View on map
Highlights
- Monkey Face - the isolated 350-foot rock spire that's the park's best-known climbing formation and photo subject
- Misery Ridge Trail - the steep loop trail climbing above the canyon rim with views down onto the Crooked River
- Crooked River Trail - the flatter riverside path at the canyon floor, an easier alternative to the ridge climb
- River Trail bridge - the footbridge crossing the Crooked River near the base of the main cliffs, the starting point for most loop hikes