Oregon Foto Guide | Top Hiking & Photography Destinations

This weekend I visited Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon’s high dessert.  Located in Terrebonne, Oregon, outside of Redmond, Smith Rock is widely considered a rock climbing mecca with over 500,000 annual visitors.  Smith Rock’s most famous feature is “Monkey Face” a 350 tall natural rock sculpture climbed by thousands which looks like a monkey’s face.

According to Oregon State Parks, the dramatic appearance of Smith Rock is due to major volcanic activity millions of years ago.  After a period of localized eruptions, lava flows entered the canyon and crowded the ancestral river into the flanks of the main volcanic structure.  Forced to establish a new channel, the Crooked River eventually eroded the interior of the volcanic vent.  The multicolored formations in Smith Rock State Park are composed of rock known as “welded tuff” -volcanic ash erupted under conditions of extreme heat and pressure.   

Not just a destination for rock climbers, the park also offers miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.  Winding around the park is the Crooked River and the wildlife is abundant.  On this trip I saw mule deer, rabbits, ducks, Canada geese, hawks, and a baby rattlesnake.

There is a loop hike around the park which is considered a moderate hike at 3.6 miles and approximatly 900 feet gain in elevation.  Although considered moderate, roughly 700 of that foot gain is just 0.5 miles up the Misery Ridge Trail and then another 0.50 miles going down 700 feet.  So it is certainly a nice elevation gain that is packed into a short distance, and therefore, a little tougher than expected.  I recommend doing the loop counterclockwise for comfort and better views.  Being Central Oregon’s high dessert, temperatures surpass 100 degrees in the summer months.  The temperature was a baking 85 degrees on the day of my trip.   

To get there:

Drive Highway 97 to Terrebonne which is 6 miles north of Redmond, Oregon.  It is easy to follow the “Smith Rock” signs where you turn east for 3.3 miles of zigzagging paved roads to the various parking areas.  There is a $3 per car fee, restrooms and water are available.