Smith Rock River & Homestead Trails Day Hike

-Trail Name: River Trail and Homestead Trail

-Enter/Exit Point: Smith Rock Visitor Center Parking Lot

-Trail Type: Out and Back

-Difficulty Level: Easy

-Distance: 6 miles round trip from other west parking lot

-Elevation: 300’

-Guide: https://www.smithrock.com/trails/river-trail

-Review: Smith Rock State Park is an incredibly beautiful place worth stopping at if you are ever passing near Bend Oregon. Although we planned on hiking up the Misery Ridge Trail, it was closed due to the “Spring Thing” event which brought in hundreds of climbers and trail maintenance crews. Thankfully Smith Rock State park has miles and miles of trails so we chose to hike down from the visitor center and took the River trail down river. There are a handful of connector trails but we stayed until the River Trail ended at it’s connection with the Mesa Verde Trail. We backtracked till we crossed back over the bridge that starts the trail then headed up river on the Homestead Trail which eventually switchbacks its way up the canyon to the upper parking lot and roadway. We then took the road back to the visitor center area where we connected with the short connector trail back to the parking area.

The trails are often exposed and although they follow the river there are not always easy access points for water collection and filtration. I recommend bringing plenty of sun protection and plenty of water. Keep an eye out for critters as lizards and snakes call this beautiful place home. Cheers!

-Rating: Come back!

Rating Guide:

-Gram it: Check out the pictures on Instagram because this one is not worth seeing in person

-Hike it: It’s short and sweet. Might as well knock it out in a day

-Bag it: Pack a bag and spend the night

-Bring a friend: Easy enough to bring a friend. Maybe this is where you can introduce someone to backpacking.

-Come Back: I will keep doing this trip it’s so good.