The Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock is one of those hikes that earns its name on the way up and makes you forget the suffering at the top. The views from the summit are so good that my husband once stood there for ten minutes without saying a word (which, if you knew him, is basically a miracle). before you go.
Update (March 2026): Smith Rock day-use fees are now $10/vehicle for Oregon residents and $12 for non-residents.
My husband and I spend a lot of weekends in Bend and we (depending on energy levels) love to power through an early morning hike before heading home (back to Portland). But with SO many good hikes to choose from, which to do?
Ah, the Misery Ridge Trail is always an easy choice — it’s hard to grow tired of it because the dramatic (and diverse) landscape is hard to beat. Reaching the top with views of the river below and cascades in the distance, you fee like you’re on top of the world. But don’t just take my word for it, the pictures speak for themselves.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about hiking the Misery Ridge Trail – you’re going to love it!
Hiking the Misery Ridge Trail (Quick Stats)
- Distance: 6.2 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
- Crowds: Heavy
- Time: About 2-3 hours to complete
- Best hiked: March to October (we hiked August 4, 2020)
- Worth it? Read on to find out!
Misery Ridge Trail Hiking Tips
Parking at the Misery Ridge Trailhead
- You must pay to park at the trailhead – the fee is $5 per vehicle. Credit cards accepted. If you arrive later in the morning and there’s no parking then you can try to park on the streets leading up to the trailhead but this gets to be a bit dicey.
- Flush-toilet is provided, to the left of the visitor’s center.
Practice Leave No Trace
- If you’re unfamiliar with leave no trace, it’s a measure to be a good steward of the land. You can read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here. Let’s keep the wild beautiful.
You + Sunscreen = Best Friends (Forever)
- There’s no shade on this trail, so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and apply frequently.
- I swear by this sunscreen, I discovered it in France and now buy it in bulk. You’ll never catch me without it!
Wear hiking boots with good traction
- Even though the trail is well maintained, exposed roots are common. It’s easy to trip on the rocks, so set yourself up for success by wearing proper shoes. These are my hiking bootsand I’d sleep in them if I could.
Water
- During the summer months this area gets HOT. Bring more water than you think you’ll need — water fountains are currently shut off due to COVID. I never leave the house without my favorite non-toxic water bottle.
Expect crowds
- Expect crowds. We arrived at 5am and were surprised to find 8 cars in the parking lot. We wrapped up our hike at 8am and the parking lot was completely full by then. I suggest arriving before 7am, if possible.
Pups on trail
- Pups are allowed on the Misery Ridge Trail, but must be kept on leash.
Check to see if a trail is open before heading out
- Trust me, I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget to do this. Between COVID and wildfires, you never know. Plus, nature is wild, things happen.
- Call the Forest Service for real-time updates before heading out.
Hiking the Misery Ridge Trail (Trip Report)
We started our hike at 5am because we wanted to catch sunrise from the summit. If you can handle early wake ups it’s totally worth it. From the parking lot, the trail descends about fifty feet and leads directly to the Crooked River Bridge.
You will notice a sign at the end of the bridge that reads “Misery Ridge Trail.” This is where the trail officially starts.
Directly after crossing the bridge you’ll see the switchbacks (shown in photo below) connected by large rocky stairs. The first half of the hike is all uphill and may feel challenging — this is where you’ll gain all the elevation in one fell swoop.
Remember to take it easy and soak in the view. Hiking is a marathon, not a sprint!
Personally, I prefer hikes where you gain elevation right off the bat because it gets the hard part out of the way first (when you’ve more energy).
The switchbacks last for 3/4 of a mile, but once they come to an end you’ll know you reached the summit! It may kick your booty, but the view is worth it! While I’ve never seen one in all the times I’ve hiked this trail, my mother saw a rattlesnake on this part of the trail the one time she hiked it. Something to keep in mind.
Take it slow and enjoy the panoramic views in all directions, this isn’t the time to rush. Look back on the trail and you’ll notice all the elevation you’ve gained.
The glorious summit
When you reach the summit, soaking in the epic views is the only thing left to do. The trail will naturally wind around to the other side of the ridge-line, but at this point, there’s no official “view point” to end up at. Plant yourself wherever you like best. You get to choose your own adventure.
We spent half an hour at the summit soaking in the sunrise. We even saw a hot air balloon float above the rock formation. So cool! One thing I’d recommend is to pack some snacks (and of course pack out the subsequent trash). The summit is a great spot to enjoy a bite and recoup some of the energy you’ll need to complete the trail. Don’t worry, it’s all much easier from here!
From the summit, you’ll see all of the Cascade Range on full display. We clearly saw Mt. Hood, Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Jefferson.
After you’re done soaking in the views, you can start heading toward Monkey Face before making your way down. You’ll likely see many rock climbers in this area. If you’re not familiar with Monkey Face, see the photo below.
Can you see the resemblance? Definitely from my father’s side of the family. Just kidding.
The way down
The switchbacks on the way down are SO steep. Make sure you’re wearing proper shoes for this hike, it’s too easy to slip! They don’t call this the Misery Ridge Trail for nothing. Ah, but at least going down is easier than going up. Perhaps not on the joints but certainly less physically demanding. Take it slow here. I’ve seen several people eat it on the way down this part of the trail.
After the steep switchbacks end, the trail flattens out and leads you along the riverbank to the River Trail. The scenery on this part of the hike was breathtaking and so different from the rocky dusty portion above (see photo below). I found myself stopping every other minute to get more photos.
Continue down the trail that meanders along the river and it will lead you directly back to the parking lot. Watch for rock climbers along the wall. If you started the Misery Ridge Trail early they’ll be starting to get set up. If it’s later in the day they’ll be in full swing.
Final Thoughts on the Misery Ridge Hike
The hike may be over, but don’t worry – the memories will last a lifetime! I first learned about the Misery Ridge Trail from my mom, and at first I thought “ma, what do you know?”
Spoiler alert: everything.
It took me a while to make my way to Smith Rock State Park, but since then I can’t seem to stay away. I’ve been back countless times since, and I’m guessing the views will keep you coming back, too.
The moral of the story? Listen to your mother. And hike the Misery Ridge Trail.
Where is Smith Rock State Park?
Smith Rock is located in Terrbonne, Oregon. About a 30 minute drive from Bend.
Did you know? Smith Rock State Park is a world-famous climbing destination, take your time watching climbers ascend and descend the massive rock faces.
FAQ – Misery Ridge Trail
The Misery Ridge Trail takes 2-3 hours to hike depending on your pace.
The Misery Ridge Trail is 6.2 miles long.
The elevation gain on the Misery Ridge Trail is a steep 1800 feet.
Further Reading
- 10 Best Hikes in Bend, Oregon (our most popular post!)
- 20 Fun Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
- 10 Best Campgrounds Near Bend, Oregon
- Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon
- 20 Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Portland, Oregon
Helpful Bend Articles
- Living in Bend: 20 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Bend
- Things to Do: 20 Epic Things to Do in Bend
- Camping: The BEST Campgrounds in Bend, Oregon
- Hiking: 20 Best Hikes in Bend Oregon (and nearby!)
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- Skylight Cave: Exploring Skylight Cave Like A Pro (Everything to Know)
- Tumalo Mountain: Sunrise Hike to Tumalo Mountain
- Blue Pool: A Stunning Look at Bend’s Tamolitch Blue Pool
- Broken Top: Hiking the Epic Broken Top Trail to No Name Lake
I hope you found this guide to hiking the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park helpful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions – always happy to help!
Happy hiking!
Antonina
