Smith Rock · Misery Ridge
Misery Ridge, Mesa Verde and River Trail loop
Intermittent closures affect Overflow Parking, sections of Rim Rock Trail, North Point Loop and adjacent parking. Misery Ridge closure is not stated.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Oregon State Parks Construction Advisory ↗The Route
The Misery Ridge loop crosses the Crooked River, climbs the rocky ridge and returns beneath Monkey Face along the river.
- Canyon ApproachThe park paths descend toward the Crooked River footbridge.
- Misery RidgeSwitchbacks and rock steps ascend from the bridge.
- Ridge ViewpointsThe crest overlooks the park's formations and canyon.
- Monkey FaceThe descent reaches the Mesa Verde Trail junction.
- River TrailThe loop follows the Crooked River back toward the bridge.
Canyon & Footbridge
The full loop includes the approach down from the park's canyon rim and the Crooked River footbridge. Misery Ridge starts directly across the bridge; the ridge-trail segment alone is shorter than the parking-to-parking loop shown on the park map.
Rock Steps & Climbing Walls
The climb immediately enters switchbacks on scree and constructed steps. Picnic Lunch Wall, Ship Rock and Red Wall are landmarks along the ascent. The trail reaches the 3,360-ft ridge with views down to the river and across the Monument area.
Monkey Face & Mesa Verde
Beyond the first ridge viewpoint, the path continues toward the Monkey Face overlook. Switchbacks descend to a junction at the formation's base, where Mesa Verde links the ridge route with the River Trail. Monkey Face's rock-climbing routes are separate from this hiking loop.
River Return
The River Trail completes the lower loop back toward the footbridge, followed by the climb back out of the canyon. The official park map lists the Misery Ridge Loop as four miles, including the connecting trail system.
Published reference figures for the named itinerary. Source dates and access notices are separate from current terrain observations. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Canyon Approach, Oregon · Central Oregon
Upcoming Work
An advisory schedules intermittent parking, Rim Rock and North Point closures December 1, 2026–May 31, 2027. It does not say Misery Ridge is closed.
Walk-In Camping
Smith Rock's bivouac area is for walk-in tents, without reservations. RV camping, sleeping in vehicles and open fires are prohibited; showers are for overnight guests.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Oregon State Parks Advisories & Map
Open the publisher’s route-specific material and check its date and scope.
Misery Ridge Trail Detail
Open the publisher’s route-specific material and check its date and scope.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.