Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock is a must stop of hikers, climbers, geology lovers alike!
The park is located just 30 minutes north of Bend, Oregon and is home to some really cool formations.
The basalt columns with the tuffs spurting out in the background
Geology
Few other places offer such different looking landscapes so close; Dark and smooth basalt columns juxtapose the much lighter tan cliffs and spires of tuff that outline and loom over the snaking Crooked River
The Crooked River snakes through the towering tuffs before making its way to the basalt columns
The tuff, a form of volcanic rock, erupted nearly 30 million years ago in the largest volcanic eruption to have occurred in Oregon If you are interested in the geology, definitely check out a review of the super cool geology here!
Day Use and Camping
Smith Rock has a day use entrance fee of $5. The park also allows for an annual permit which will cost you $30 as well as a 2-year permit which will cost you $50. If you live in the area or have plans to go back, I would definitely recommend going for one of the annual passes. You can get these at the ranger station.
The Smith Rock Bivy campground (Photo from I heart Pacific Northwest)
The camping in Smith Rock is easy and there is a Bivy campground right next to the day use area. This campground is open from March 15 - November 15 on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The Bivy campground costs $8/night and includes the day-use parking fee for the next day. Really, I think its a great deal but keep in mind that you cannot sleep your vehicles and RVs (or vehicles greater than 20ft long) are not allowed.
I got BOUGIE and did a car / tent camp set up with this new tent I got from the REI garage sale at this campsite outside of Skull Hollow! The site was large, definitely big enough for an RV but the road was a little rough to get there. There was a fire pit as well (but keep in mind fire bans)
If the bivy campground is full, or you don’t feel like staying there, check out the Skull Hollow campground. This campground is $10/night and offers minimal services (no water). However, if you drive past the main campground, you can camp for free on the forest road (need a reminder on what is allowed? Check out my post here).
Climbing!
Smith Rock is a mecca for sport climbing and if you are a climber, I am sure you already know this. But, also make a stop at the Gorges to check out the super fun single pitch trad crack routes.
Andrew headed up Azog on Shakespeare Cliff (5.9)
If it is a little chilly, I would recommend checking out the Monument Area. This area has a bunch of great sport, ranging from 5.8 - 5.11 and sits in a pocket that, in my experience, has stayed warm on more overcast days.
Close up of a route we climbed, no idea what it was called because it definitely wasn’t what we meant to climb after looking at MP!
If you are less comfortable leading from the ground or looking to top rope solo, visit Rope-De-Dope, as this is one of the few places you can set up ropes from the top.
At the end of your day, stop by Redpoint Climber’s supply for a beer and to hang out!
