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Smith Rock Visitor Center

Big Budget Shortfall at OPRD Freezes Visitor Center Plans at Smith Rock and Hikes Annual Fees

Big Budget Shortfall at OPRD Freezes Visitor Center Plans at Smith Rock and Hikes Annual Fees

Almost a year ago, exactly, we took a walk with Smith Rock State Park Manager Matt Davey at the location of the proposed and approved Visitor Center project to replace the currently donated yurt Welcome Center with a new 2,400-square-foot facility. The Visitor Center, along with improvements to and an extension of the Rim Rock Trail to the north end of the park, was one of the projects approved to receive funds from bond sales. Additionally, Oregon Parks and Recreation was recently awarded a Land and Water Conservation Grant to help fund construction. Now it’s all on hold.

Take a Tour of the Vision for the New Smith Rock State Park Visitor Center

Take a Tour of the Vision for the New Smith Rock State Park Visitor Center

We took a walk this month with Smith Rock State Park Manager Matt Davey at the location of the upcoming Visitor Center project to replace the currently donated yurt Welcome Center with a 2400-square-foot facility. Matt helped provide context to the bullet points of the Oregon Parks & Rec press release, including the proposed location, structural considerations, timeline, and more in our video. The Visitor Center was one of the projects approved to receive funds from bond sales. In addition, Oregon Parks and Recreation was recently awarded a Land and Water Conservation Grant to help fund construction. Now the process begins.