Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Looking for the best hiking in Smith Rock State Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Smith Rock State Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Smith Rock State Park

  • Idanha, Oregon

    Hike up the South Slopes of Mount Jefferson

    15 mi / 7400 ft gain
    Set out from Pamelia Lake Trailhead through dense old growth forest. You'll see giant cedars, mixed firs and stunning mountain streams carving their way thru very green forest. After a couple miles, you'll reach Pamelia Lake. This is a great place to grab a snack, water, take photos and camp if y...
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  • Idanha, Oregon

    Hunt's Cove via Pamelia Lake Trail

    14.74 mi / 3150 ft gain
    This loop through the Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area is one of the premier backpacking trips in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. The trail offers sustained up-close views of Mount Jefferson and several lookout points provide panoramic views of the western Oregon Cascades. The several large back...
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  • Idanha, Oregon

    Pamelia Lake Trail

    4.0
    4.37 mi / 906 ft gain
    Pamelia Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idanha, Oregon.
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  • Sisters, Oregon

    Sahalie and Koosah Falls Loop

    4.8
    2.42 mi / 545 ft gain
    This loop might be on the shorter side, but the hike is more than worth it for the scenery. Start at Sahalie Falls, a 100-foot tall waterfall pouring into the river below and covering the moss-covered valley with cool mist. Continue down the trail, walking past the 70-foot Koosah Falls, and finis...
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  • Linn County, Oregon

    Koosah Falls Trail

    5.0
    0.86 mi / 180 ft gain
    Koosah Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Sisters, Oregon.
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  • Sisters, Oregon

    Clear Lake Loop

    4.8
    4.72 mi / 633 ft gain
    Once you arrive at Clear Lake, I suggest to start the relatively flat hike around the lake. You'll walk through a beautiful forest with peek-a-boo views of the stunning lake. The hike around the full lake may take a few hours, so if you're not staying the night, make sure you have enough time to ...
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  • Lane County, Oregon

    Substitute Point via Foley Ridge Trail

    9.75 mi / 1900 ft gain
    This is a viewless hike until you reach Substitute Point. You are then rewarded with an amazing view. From the trailhead (#3511) you will travel 4.3 miles on an unmaintained trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness to the junction of Substitute Point. The trail has lots of fallen trees you must c...
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  • Linn County, Oregon

    Isaac Nickerson Loop Trail

    3.96 mi / 492 ft gain
    Experience the tranquil beauty of the Isaac Nickerson Loop Trail, a picturesque 2.3-mile pathway winding through diverse forest ecosystems in the scenic Cascade foothills of Linn County, Oregon. This moderately challenging loop offers hikers a peaceful retreat into nature with magnificent old-g...
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Russell Lake via Whitewater Creek Trailhead

    4.8
    11.4 mi / 1926 ft gain
    This hike begins 7.5 miles down Whitewater Road at the Whitewater Trailhead, about 10 miles east of Detroit Lake. The road is bumpy, but can be navigated at slow speeds, even without four-wheel drive. Make sure to fill out a wilderness pass once you arrive at the trailhead. The trail is very wel...
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  • Linn County, Oregon

    Tamolitch Blue Pool

    5.0
    3.56 mi / 253 ft gain
    The hike out to Tamolitch Pool, or "Blue Pool," is 2 miles each way and follows the McKenzie River to a lava flow pool. Off Highway 126 14 miles east of McKenzie Bridge, turning into the Trailbridge Campground, drive right 1/3 of a mile to the trailhead. The trail is relatively flat, which gives ...
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  • Bend, Oregon

    Hike to Lucky Lake

    5.0
    2.5 mi / 405 ft gain
    Located just 4.36 miles past the popular Elk Lake Day Use turnoff, the trailhead is on the right side of the highway, marked by a small 'trailhead' sign. The hike begins at the Senoj Lake Trailhead and climbs up to the lake for 1.26 miles. Once you reach the lake, you can choose to go left or rig...
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  • National Forest Development Road 4220, Oregon

    Olallie Lake North Basin Loop

    12.05 mi / 2021 ft gain
    Begin at the Lower Lake Campground and take the Lower Lake trailhead. The best direction to hike is counter clockwise, however you can do either.  Continue along Trail #717 and very shortly you come out to Lower Lake featuring Mt. Jefferson as the backdrop. From here keep hiking and you reach yo...
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  • National Forest Development Road 4220, Oregon

    Hike to Gifford Lake

    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    Set out at the Lower Lake trailhead along trail #717. After only half a mile the trail opens up to Lower Lake, with views of Olallie Butte. The trail winds around the north east side of the lake and you come to a junctions with trail #706. From here take the left onto #706 and continue about .6 o...
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  • La Pine, Oregon

    Hike to Paulina Lake Hot Springs

    5.0
    2.4 mi
    Starting at Little Crater Campground, head north toward the hot springs (43.730, -121.247). If you're really looking to stretch your legs, you can extend the out-and-back hike to a full loop around the lake just shy of 8 miles. The water in the springs is around 95 degrees, and doesn't smell of s...
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  • La Pine, Oregon

    Hike up Paulina Peak

    5.0
    6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Distance: 6 miles, out-and-back (Can also be done as a 12 mile loop via Crater Rim Trail).  Starting at Paulina Lake, just past the Visitor Center lies a marked trailhead for Paulina Peak. The trail starts close to the road and winds through the forest around the back of some lake maintenance fac...
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  • La Pine, Oregon

    Paulina Falls Hike to Paulina Lake

    0.6 mi / 300 ft gain
    First take the short 1/4 mile hike down to the lower lookout. Get there early to beat the crowd and get unobstructed views. The Paulina Falls is an 80 ft. twin waterfall. It's gorgeous. After you see the falls from the lower lookout, you can walk back up to the upper lookout for a different view....
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