Smith Rock

Introduction

Smith Rock State Park is the premier rockclimbing destination in Central Oregon and is famous worldwide as an early birth place of bolted sport climbing in North America. Climbing is on two primary volcanic rock types. The welded tuff of the main formations provides knobby and pocketed face and irregular crack climbs at all angles and all difficulties. The basalt columns of the upper and lower gorges provide steep splitter cracks and delicate bolted face climbs.

Fall and Spring are prime seasons, winter can be cold and snowy but manageable, summer is formidably hot.

Top-ropeable climbs are limited in number as most formations are more than 1/2 rope length high. However there are numerous quality bolted and traditionally protected climbs at easy grades for the beginner lead climber.

Driving Directions

Follow I5/405 south through seattle and take the secret exit north of Portland. Head southeast on some highway through some small towns. Climb over the west flank of Mt. Hood into the central desert. Eventually you will reach the town of Terrebonne and Smith Rock State Park. Camp at Skull Hollow for free, bring your own water.