Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Earlier this year, we asked readers to pick their favorite Oregon State Parks. Now, we're headed to the top 15 to check in, bringing back a comprehensive guide to each one.



There's something magnetic about Smith Rock.



It might be the stark natural beauty, the way towering rock formations rise majestically above the winding Crooked River. Maybe it’s the freedom offered to rock climbers and hikers, who roam the thousands of routes and miles of trails in the park. Or it could be some kind of primal pull, our human nature drawn to this desert castle, a place where we can reconnect to the Earth – rock, water, air and sun all around us like an elemental playground.

Whatever the draw, Smith Rock State Park is a tremendously beautiful and enormously popular natural attraction. Nestled between Madras and Bend on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, the park drew more than 776,000 people last year, including more than 23,000 overnight visitors. Among all full-fledged state parks in Oregon, Smith Rock ranks fifth in visitor volume.



There are more popular state parks – most on the Oregon coast – but none seem to attract the kind of reverence with which people visit Smith Rock. For many, this isn’t just a nice place to spend an afternoon, it’s a place to journey, to challenge both body and mind, and to connect with something deeper within.

For Oregon’s outdoor apostles, Smith Rock is a temple. It’s a place you have to have to feel for yourself in order to truly understand.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Rock climbing

Smith Rock is the premiere rock climbing destination in Oregon. Beginning rock climbers earn their stripes on routes in the park. World-class competitors train on the walls. It’s hard to nail down the exact number of climbing routes (more are added all the time), but they currently number somewhere around 2,000. If you don’t have the proper gear or experience, make sure to go with a guide or a group.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Hiking

For those who want to keep their boots on the ground, the hiking trails at Smith Rock are phenomenal as well. The Misery Ridge Loop is the most iconic – climbing a breath-taking ridge in the middle of the park, offering stunning vistas and a look at famed Monkey Face, and curving along the Crooked River – but the Summit Trail is another option on the north side of the park.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Camping

Unlike a lot of other state parks, Smith Rock doesn't have a proper campground of its own. Instead, it has a walk-in bivouac area, where climbers flock to set up camp before scaling the walls come morning. There are a few other campgrounds and RV parks around the area, but otherwise you'll have to make a day trip of it.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Parking and Crowds

With so many visitors, Smith Rock can get exceptionally crowded almost any time of year. The main parking lot and overflow lot tend to fill fast, especially on weekends, forcing some visitors to park up to a mile away. The parks department is in the midst of updating its master plan for the park – which hasn't been updated since 1991 – and will certainly address the issue soon enough.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Bikes and horses

Horses and mountain bikes are allowed on much of the Smith Rock trail system – see the trail map for specifics – though, considering the sheer number of hikers and rock climbers that populate the park, there are probably safer and more comfortable places to ride.

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Courtesy of Oregon State Parks

Wildlife

The park is abundant with songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, mule deer and small mammals, all of which can often be seen alongside trails. It’s also home to rattlesnakes, which you should watch out for as you hike through the desert ecosystem.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

OREGON STATE PARKS

Silver Falls: The waterfall wonderland in the Willamette Valley is one of Oregon's most magical natural attractions.

The Cove Palisades: Three rivers converge to create this eastern Oregon desert oasis.

Milo McIver: A perfect day trip for those who live in the valley, Milo McIver is all about recreation.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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