Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon was the place where sport climbing the practice of pre-placing permanent protection bolts in rock faces before attempting routes took hold in the United States in the 1980s. Alan Watts first bolted routes here in the mid-1980s, establishing practices that spread across American climbing culture. Today the park has over 1,800 established climbing routes on the volcanic tuff formations, from beginner top-rope climbs to the famous Monkey Face pillar with its overhanging nose. The park's signature trail the 4-mile Misery Ridge - River Trail loop requires no climbing ability and delivers the full experience: a steep 800-foot ascent to the ridge crest, panoramic views of the formations, the Three Sisters, and Mount Hood on clear days, followed by a descent through the canyon to a river trail passing directly beneath the towering tuff walls. The park sits at 2,800 feet elevation in the high desert, giving it distinct seasons: wildflowers in spring, summer heat (start early), fall color in the riparian vegetation, and occasional winter ice. Bald eagles nest in the park in winter, and prairie falcons and golden eagles are resident year-round.