Smith Rock

About this spectacle

Smith Rock State Park rises dramatically from the high desert of central Oregon, its jagged volcanic tuff and basalt spires reflected in the Crooked River below. Visitors walking the Misery Ridge or Canyon Trail loop witness sheer orange-red walls soaring hundreds of feet overhead, falcons wheeling on thermals, and a sweeping panorama of the Cascade volcanoes — including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters — on clear days. The river trail at the base offers a gentler perspective, with willows, mule deer, and golden eagles. At sunrise the rock faces glow amber and copper; at sunset long shadows dramatize every crack and column. The smell of sage and juniper drifts across the plateau rim. Whether viewed from the canyon floor or the high ridge, the scale and color contrast between the pale sky, dark lava, and rust-red cliffs make this one of the American West's most visually arresting landscapes.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Sep — May

Getting there

Nearest airport: RDM. Nearest city: Bend.

Booking options

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