3 Best Trails in Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Located in central-eastern Oregon, Smith Rock State Park is a widely renowned destination for having some of the most beautiful trails in the state concentrated in such a relatively small area.
Being the case, Smith Rock is one of the more popular Oregon destinations near Bend, as both locals and visitors alike frequent the area at all times of the year.
Additional Early Season Gear
If you’re Smith Rock visiting when you expect there to be snow and ice to be on the ground, bring micro-spikes! They are a must on trails, such as the Misery Ridge Trail, during the colder, icier months of the year.
Below are the two best brands on the market for micro-spikes. I personally use Yaktrax.
3 Best Trails in Smith Rock State Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, as all of the hikes within Smith Rock State Park make for great day hikes.
However, for the more adventurous type of person, all of the following hikes make for great and somewhat challenging trail runs, but be cautious during the colder times of the year.
1. Rim Rock Trail
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Rim Rock Trail is the easiest trail on this list, and it makes for one of the best effort-to-reward sunrise hikes in Smith Rock, given that the entirety of the trail is so short and flat.
Furthermore, on a clear day, you’ll get the chance to see the first light hit the east-facing walls, which is exactly why the wall on the right side of the photo below is called the Morning Glory Wall!
AllTrails: Rim Rock Trail
2. Misery Ridge-River Trail Loop
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km
The Misery Ridge-River Trail Loop is, without a doubt, one of the best hikes in Smith Rock State Park.
That being said, Misery Ridge climbs between 600-700 ft. (183-213 m) from the bridge that crosses over the Crooked River to the top, which is where this loop continues down around the backside.
Therefore, being that the loop finishes on completely different trails than the initial hike up Misery Ridge, the whole adventure makes for one of the best ways to see Smith Rock, as you get to see other beautiful features on the backside, such as the Monkey Face.
AllTrails: Misery Ridge-River Trail Loop
3. Eagle’s Nest Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
The Eagle's Nest Trail is one of the least hiked trails within Smith Rock, which is one reason why you will not find the trail specifically called the Eagle's Nest Trail on AllTrails. However, you can see the route in the link below.
All in all, the Eagle's Nest Trail via Burma Road is about 5.6 miles (9.0 km) roundtrip, and it's at the very end of this 20-mile (32.2 km) AllTrails track made for this other route.
AllTrails: Eagle’s Nest Trail
My Print - Crooked River
Hiking Checklist - Smith Rock
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Smith Rock State Park.
Safety
Outside of climbing, the biggest safety risk in Smith Rock State Park is related to falls.
By this, I mean that upper trails, such as Misery Ridge, have no protection on the cliff edges, which is why it’s important to stress being careful on the edges. This is especially true when the trails are icy.
For this reason, I highly recommend hiking with micro-spikes when you expect there will be snow and ice around the park.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official State Park website.
