The Ultimate Guide To Smith Rock Hiking Trails

Years ago, I went on a climbing trip to Smith Rock State Park. It was the highlight of my amazing Oregon road trip. Smith Rock is known to have some of the best rock climbing, and I can attest to that, but did you know that Smith Rock hiking trails are just as epic? I went on a solo trip to Smith Rock State Park and spent the whole day hiking and exploring the park. I fell even more in love with this one-of-a-kind park.

The rocks jutting out of the ground are the most intense views I have ever seen. Below I highlight all hiking trails and talk about my personal experiences hiking alone in this park. After reading this, you will know which hiking trails you want to try out.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

How Long Do You Need To Explore Smith Rock

You only need one day to explore Smith Rock State Park. The park is pretty small, and it is easy to explore. I arrived at 8 am and hiked all of the trails in the park in a day. It was over 10 miles of hiking but so worth it!

Can You Hike Solo?

I had other women message me on Instagram asking me how I felt when traveling to Smith Rock State Park alone, and it is probably the safest I have ever felt. There are many people in the park, and even the most secluded areas felt pretty safe to me. There is almost no way to get lost, and finding your way back to the parking lot is extremely easy. There is some tree cover but not enough to make you feel like you can lose your way and get lost.

Best Time To Go

The best time to visit Smith Rock State Park is in the Spring and Fall because the weather is pretty mild. I have hiked in the Summer, and I was pretty miserable. I could not believe how hot it could get here! Winter is still an excellent time to visit, but it will be cold (it might be below 32 degrees F)!

Rock Climbing In Smith Rock State Park

I used to be a big rock climber and decided to climb at Smith Rock State Park with my husband in 2017. I hired a guide because it is easier and saves time when you are not a local. I had a fantastic experience, and it was an absolute blast. If you are interested, you can book with the company that guided us.

Smith Rock Hiking Map

When I went hiking in Smith Rock State Park, I took a picture of the trail map above and used it as guidance. You can also print the map beforehand.

Smith Rock Hiking Trails

Misery Ridge

• Distance: 1.0 Miles
• Difficulty: Hard

Misery Ridge was my favorite hike at Smith Rock State Park. The views are phenomenal and out of this world, and the feeling of being able to hike such a steep and challenging trail is so gratifying. I loved it!

I am a pretty fit person, and I was still huffing and puffing on this trail. It is so steep! If you plan on hiking this in the Summer, I would bring a ton of water and sunscreen. There is not much shade, and even though I walked this in the winter, I was hot.

My favorite part of the hike was the view of Phoenix Buttress, and it looked even more epic from above. Don’t forget to also check out Monkey Face (seen in the picture below), as you can see some of the snow-capped mountains in the distance. You can make this trail even longer by making this hike into a loop, and you can hike down Mesa Verde and then walk next to the River Trail. Looking at the map makes it easier to understand.

River Trail

• Distance: 2.2 Miles
• Difficulty: Easy

The River Trail is probably the most relaxing trail on this list. This path is next to the river, and if you get there early, you might spot the cute geese quacking in the morning. There is no elevation gain, and this is perfect for families who love views of rivers.

Canyon Trail

• Distance: 1.6 Miles
• Difficulty: Easy

The Canyon Trail is similar to the River trail except this path is located on the other side of the river. I walked around here in the early morning and felt it was less crowded than the River Trail. I was relatively on my own while hiking the Canyon Trail.

Summit Trail

• Distance: 2.2 Miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Summit Trail is probably one of the least popular trails in Smith Rock State Park. After hiking it, I understand why. This trail takes you to the backside of the park, and it is pretty long and remote. I was itching to get back to the parking lot towards the end.

I saw many trail runners on this hike, and it was probably because the trail was pretty empty, but it still had a good elevation gain. The best views on this trail were right before Burma Rd because you can see the whole park from a distance (as shown above).

The Summit Trail is great for anyone trying to get away from the crowds or trying to see Smith Rock State Park in a unique and different way.

Homestead Trail

• Distance: 0.7 Miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

When going downhill on The Chute, take a right and head on over to the Homestead Trail. The first part of the trail is a leisure walk next to the river, and then it takes you up a steep set of switchbacks towards the North Point Trail.

Wolf Tree Trail

• Distance: 1.2 Miles
• Difficulty: Easy

Wolf Tree Trail is another great hike to get away from the crowds. There are many trees around this area, so it is a beautiful and relaxing place to explore. I saw many families and kids unwinding and having a fun family time around here. The elevation gain can get pretty intense when it gets to Burma Road.

Rim Rock Trail

• Distance: 0.7 Miles
• Difficulty: Easy

Rim Rock Trail is located next to the parking lot, and it is an excellent hike to do right when you get to Smith Rock. I feel like it has fantastic views of the Phoenix Buttress, and there were not many people.

Mesa Verde Trail

• Distance: 0.7 Miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

If you are hiking the Misery Ridge Loop (which I highly recommend), it includes the Mesa Verde Trail. This trail is on the backside of the park and has views of the river. Many rock climbers come to this side of the park to avoid the hot summer sun. The elevation gain is pretty intense so take it slow.

The Chute

• Distance: 0.1 Miles
• Difficulty: Hard

The Chute is the shortest trail on this list. When I first looked at the map, I was unsure why they added a 0.1-mile hike to the map. After going up the Chute, I understand why. It is very steep. Since I had just got done hiking all of Smith Rock, the Chute almost did me in, and I had to stop to take a break.

This is the hike that everyone does at Smith Rock. The Chute takes you in and out of the park and is the first view most people will see of Smith Rock.

Rope De Dope Trail

• Distance: 0.4 Miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Rope De Trope is covered by trees so it does not have the best views of Smith Rock (only towards the end). But the elevation gain is a lot better than The Chute. If you want to gradually get up the parking lot instead of going straight uphill, check out the Rope De Trope.

What To Pack For Hiking

1. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. >Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses: It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. >>>Love These Snacks Here
9. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Sports Bra: For women. >Check This One Here
16. Jacket: I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
17. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Oregon. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
18. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
19. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here

Where To Stay In Bend

• Oxford Hotel Bend: A boutique eco-friendly hotel that is located near Deschutes Brewery. >Click Here
• Element Bend: Certain rooms come with a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a stovetop if you don’t want to eat out everyday. It is clean, bright, and at a great location. >Click Here
•  Residence Inn By Marriott Bend: all hotels are equipped with a TV, a kitchen and a dining area. The hotels are pretty spacious and modern. >Click Here

Bend Tours

Final Thoughts On Hiking Smith Rock

Thanks for reading all about Smith Rock State Park. Make sure to read some of my other Oregon blog posts below.

• The Best Things To Do On The Oregon Coast
• The Ultimate Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Road Trip
• The Perfect 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
• 25 Amazing Oregon Waterfalls You Need To See Today
• The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary

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