2022 Smith Rock Raptor Start of Nesting Season Means No Drones and Restricted Climbing
AS ALWAYS, BOOKMARK THE SEASONAL CLOSURES PAGE FOR CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED CLOSURES
January 4, 2022
Early raptor nesting area closures at Smith Rock State Park are in effect starting Monday, January 10 to August 1, 2022, PARK WIDE for drones for the season, selected for climbing, and later for camping when the Bivy reopens. We’ll keep you posted on Facebook as well as the Seasonal Closures page as the restrictions lift in different areas over the summer for climbing.
The drone ban is park wide. Climbing restrictions as noted below.
Both the Golden and the Bald Eagles have been flying around actively amongst the crags courting, and possibly mating, according to several reports. Detailed route closures will follow as we have them, but for now, only the Monument Area is affected.
PLEASE NOTE PHOTOGRAPHY RULES for along the Bivy campground rim.
Falcon nesting site closures for Prairies usually start on February 1. These closures are based on last year's nesting sites and could change, as they have these last few years. Normally the closure is February 1-July 31 for Golden eagles in the Monument Area, although this year it’s been pushed to January 10. The West Side Crags Falcon nesting areas usually reopen by mid-June.
For those of you coming here from out of the area, please note these closures only affect a small number of all the routes in the park, and hiking trails remain open, just not to drones.
BALD EAGLE OBSERVATION AREA RESTRICTIONS ON THE BIVY RIM
JAN. 10- AUG. 1
Please observe photography rules put in effect due to large crowds across from the nesting area on the Bivy Campground Rim:
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE RIM BEHIND THE CLOSURE SIGNS OR WITHIN DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT OF THE RAPTORS.
CHAIRS ARE NOT PERMITTED WITHIN LINE OF SIGHT OF THE NEST. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO OTHER GEAR BESIDES CAMERAS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE SITE IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 7, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 5 CAMERAS SET UP FOR ALL 7 PEOPLE
LET PARK STAFF KNOW AT 541-548-7501 IF YOU OBSERVE VISITORS NOT FOLLOWING THE GROUND RULES.
TRY TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT ON WEEKDAYS OR IN LESS THAN IDEAL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Please observe the Bald Eagle Courtesy signs along the Canyon Trail. Essentially in the sensitive areas marked, the park is asking the following:
KEEP NOISE TO A MINIMUM
DO NOT LOITER & STAY ON TRAIL
TRAVEL IN GROUPS OF 4 OR LESS
GOLDEN EAGLE CLIMBING CLOSURE:
JAN 10-AUG 1
MONUMENT AREA—Look for the posted climbing closure signs in the Monument Area. Climbing routes, cliffs and gullies within 1100 feet of the nest are closed.
Please refer to 2010 “Rock Climbing Smith Rock State Park” Guide Book by Alan Watts. See pages 244-270. CLOSED routes are numbered 1-44, which includes:
Cajun Cliff
Victoria Tower
Little Three Fingered Jack
Puddy’s Tower,
The Monument
Anglin’s Buttress
French Tent Rock
Staender Ridge and Juniper Spire (The Product) remain OPEN at this time.
Golden Eagle nest at Smith Rock State Park
Drawings courtesy of Alan Watts. Click to enlarge.
For more information please contact the Park Staff directly at 541-548-7501.