Smith Rock State Park Welcome Center — Attraction in Redmond

This is official visitor center for Smith Rock state park. It is located in a yurt which is really cool. There is separate building with restrooms and even kids playground with climbing wall in the shape of monkey face! The visitor center has trail maps and small exhibit. The lady staffing the center suggested to take the loop going clockwise - first the river trail then up and finally down the misery ridge. This turned out great as uphill climb is much longer which is easier on knees. Downhill part has lots of stairs which also helps. We did the loop in about four hours stopping along the way for snacks and pictures. We had two kids, smallest seven, who did well. You need to take your time up the ridge, it is not easy. The views are stunning and at the river bend the winds were very strong, pushing dried weeds up the rock face and into the air above the rock - quite...

This is an informative location with maps, hiking information, a volunteer or associate that issues permits, and helps visitors who have inquiries. Though I had visited Smith Rock State Park many times, this was my first time in the welcoming center, so it was good to learn about the State Park. If you visit Smith Rock State Park, perhaps drop in to the center & check out what it...

We were visiting in Bend and we were looking for a near by location for an easy hike. The Smith Rock area blew us away. Much of the location looked like parts of the Grand Canyon. Similar geology, topology and flora. Then we saw the cliffs. On pictures I posted there are small dark images on the cliffs, these are the climbers. Amazing...