Like its namesake, the Burma Road Trail was named for its steepness and rough terrain.

Start of the Burma Road Trail off the Wolf Tree Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The Burma Road Trail starts off in the trees, but only briefly at Smith Rock State Park.

The Burma Road Trail at Smith Rock State Park is still a narrow scree path in the park boundaries.

The Burma Road Trail in Smith Rock State Park can present some interesting obstacles for mountain bikers.

More steep scree signals the end to the narrow Burma Road Trail still in Smith Rock State Park boundaries.

This trail marker at the junction of the Smith Rock State Park and BLM territories shows the way up to the summit.

Outside of Smith Rock State Park the Burma Road Trail becomes an irrigation canal access road.

Climbers are often seen heading to the Marsupials climbing area outside of Smith Rock State Park on the Burma Road.

The Burma Road outside of Smith Rock State Park continues to climb in full sun.

The Burma Road outside of Smith Rock State Park stretches into the distance toward the summit.

Big rocks mark the final corner to the summit of the Burma Road outside of Smith Rock State Park. 

The summit of the Burma Road tops out at the junction of the Summit Trail back into Smith Rock State Park.

Completed in 1945, it was built to service the irrigation canal and tunnel that are still in operation today.

Climbers use it to connect to the uncrowded climbing areas of Staender Ridge and The Marsupials. It’s also key for mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers and horseback riders to reach the BLM trails into Sherwood Canyon and Gray Butte. As well as for those on the Summit Trail loop going back into the park.

Take a right after the bridge onto the Wolf Tree Trail around the river’s edge until you reach a junction. Then hang a left for on a steep scree trail in the park until you connect to the irrigation road on BLM land for the final grunt back into park property.

The 3600 foot summit rewards you with great views in every direction. You almost forget the push you gave your body to get there on this highway of scree.

See the gallery for a look at the terrain along the way and the TIPs below for Burma Road junction options. 

TIP:  CHECK OUT THE RIVER GORGE 

Want to check out the Gorge area? Various trails break off to the right and straight. Climbing at the Student Wall? Make the hard right to get to the base. Want to walk along the rim? Take the next right.

TIP:  DO THE SUMMIT TRAIL LOOP

Want to extend your hike and see great views of the Monument area, the Cascade Mountain range, the Crooked River and more? You've done the hard part. It's all downhill from here as you descend the Summit Trail and then connect to the River Trail back to the bridge. 

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The easy, then steeper 1.5 mile Canyon Trail starts by the Overlook just past the park’s Welcome Center.

Start of Canyon Trail by the Overlook at Smith Rock State Park.

Canyon Trail as it bends around the Crooked River at Smith Rock State Park.

Canyon Trail as it continues around the Crooked River before heading up out of the canyon at Smith Rock State Park.

Canyon Trail as it turns upward away from the river canyon and winds up the hill out of Smith Rock State Park.

The end of the Canyon Trail as it exits on to Wilcox Road outside of Smith Rock State Park.

Follow the paved path into the park, staying straight on the gravel road past the junction to the Chute Trail. Using it to connect to the rest of the trail system? Keep curving to the right to where it joins up with The Chute Trail by the picnic area before the bridge.

Want to see where the main trail goes? Continue straight at the junction to stay on the path as it follows the river toward Rope-de-Dope climbing area. Check out the .15 mile unidentified trail as it hugs the river’s edge. It then meets up with the official Canyon Trail where you’ll get great views of the popular climbing areas of The Dihedrals and Christian Brothers.

As you keep winding left along the river you see Asterisk Pass, marked by a boulder resembling Woodstock from Snoopy comic strip fame. The Smith Rock Group with Phoenix Buttress, another popular climbing area, lies just beyond the horse ford, where on summer days you may see them crossing with their riders when the river is lowest.

Continuing along the river, you get on a series of gentle switchbacks as you gain and lose 10-20′ of elevation entering some dense vegetation areas. Giant boulders appear along the path, sculpted like cave pods, some resembling stone houses.

From here the path gets steeper, with 100+ feet of elevation gain until you top out.

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The steep option into the park canyon Chute Trail is affectionately known by some as “The Grunt." 

Start of the Chute Trail into Smith Rock State Park.

Rounding the corner at a main viewpoint on the Chute Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The scree surface of the Chute Trail goes past a composting toilet at Smith Rock State Park.

The Chute Trail ends after it joins up with the Canyon Trail just before the bridge crossing the Crooked River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE:  Horseback riding and mountain biking restricted on the Chute Trail.

At the end of a long day in the park, the arduous 500-foot final push back up to the parking area can make anybody grunt. It can also be a bit intimidating if you’re not used to walking down scree.

Yes, it is the more challenging of the two options from the Overlook to get down to the river and to connect to the trail system. With a guard rail in some areas, and places to pull over and rest on your way back up, just go at your pace. 

Even when you see climbers with sandals and big packs run by. They do this all the time and have got the balance thing down. Not feeling too spry in the knees anymore? Try some trekking poles to distribute the load.

There’s of course always the option to stay on the gravel road of the Canyon Trail.

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The less-traveled 1 mile Homestead Trail takes off just before the bridge after entering the park.

Start of Homestead Trail from helipad area before the bridge at Smith Rock State Park.

Homestead Trail along the Crooked River towards the Monument area at Smith Rock State Park.

Homestead Trail signage to ascend out of the canyon to the Northern Point at Smith Rock State Park.

The horse ford area along the Homestead Trail across the Crooked River at Smith Rock State Park.

The Monument is the large pinnacle of the group in this area on the Homestead Trail past the horse ford at Smith Rock State Park.

Alternate way up and out of Smith Rock State Park on the Homestead Trail.

Homestead Trail standard route up out of the park canyon before the horse ford at Smith Rock State Park.

Start of steep section of Homestead Trail on standard route with Monument area in the backround at Smith Rock State Park.

Rocky section of steep uphill of standard route up out of the canyon on Homestead Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Final gravel path at the end of the Homestead Trail coming out of the park canyon onto the Northern Point of Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE:  Horseback riding and mountain biking restricted on the uphill/downhill portion of the Homestead Trail. 

You get there by either the Canyon Trail or the Chute Trail from the Overlook just past the Welcome Center. Continue through the helipad area, going through the marked trail opening in the fence to follow the path by the river.

It starts out flat and easy for the first .5 miles. Along the way you’ll have views across the river of the climbers on the Red Wall.

Opportunities abound to spot wildlife, both in the water, and flying overhead. As well as the occasional marmot, rabbit or snake.

As you approach the bend of the horse ford, you can make a sharp right to start your ascent up and out of the park. We encourage you to continue on past it though.

You can explore unidentified trails for a nice picnic among the boulders by the rushing waters of the river gorge. Completing the loop of the unidentified trail puts you back on the main Homestead Trail. It begins its steep climb for .24 miles along switchbacks that provide great views of the Monument area and the river below.

Once you reach the parking level, you can continue straight down the gravel path. Go past the amphitheater viewpoint and exit into the Turnaround Parking area. From there it’s a 10-minute walk back to the Welcome Center.

See TIP below to check out the North Point Trail while you're there.

TIP:  CHECK OUT THE VIEWS AT THE NORTHERN POINT

We recommend you hang a left at the junction when you reach the parking level, to join up with the flat, .33 mile North Point Trail loop.

Spectacular views are plentiful when you are on top of the Northern Point, another popular climbing area. During nesting season have binoculars to spot the eagles on the Monument walls. Just be careful to keep children and pets close when you get to the unconnected rock columns along the ridge.

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The .65 mile Mesa Verde Trail is a steep connector trail. It comes up from the River Trail from two junctions.

The first junction of the Mesa Verde Trail steeply climbs off the River Trail and up to the base of Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

Continuing down the RIver Trail at Smith Rock State Park you come to the second junction of the Mesa Verde Trail.

The Mesa Verde Trail after the second junction loops around to approach the back side of Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

Ascending the Mesa Verde Trail from the backside of Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

The Mesa Verde Trail continues to the base of the back side of Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

The Mesa Verde Trail meets the other half of it at the base of Monkey Face, as well as the junction to go up the Misery RIdge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Continue to wind around the base of Monkey Face and down the other side to stay on the Mesa Verde Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Heading down the Mesa Verde Trail back toward the main part of Smith Rock State Park.

Follow the Mesa Verde Trail to the River Trail below at Smith Rock State Park.

A set of stairs on the Mesa Verde Trail at Smith Rock State Park has been added to prevent more erosion.

Finally back at the first junction of the Mesa Verde Trail at Smith Rock State Park where a left on the River Trail takes you back to the bridge.

NOTE:  Horseback riding and mountain biking are not allowed on all sections of the Mesa Verde Trail.

Both meet up at the top of the Monkey Face climbing area.

The first junction is just past the backside of Asterisk Pass. It takes a right up the hill to go past the Mesa Verde Wall climbing area. Follow it to the base of Monkey Face.

The second junction is reached by staying along the River Trail, then taking a right at the sign for Mesa Verde/Summit Trails. The trail doubles back past the First Kiss climbing area before reaching the base of The Monkey.

From the base of Monkey Face go down the hill back towards the River Trail toward the first junction and continue on the trail until it descends to the river and back to the bridge.

See the TIP below for some more "up" time via the Misery Ridge Loop.

TIP:  DO THE MISERY RIDGE LOOP

Want to make a loop with the ridge for some up close time with The Monkey? At the base of the Monkey, follow the stairs and switchbacks up the Misery Ridge Trail.

Once at the top follow it along the ridge until it descends down a steep scree path back to the bridge.

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Misery Ridge. Its name conjures up images of early pioneers slogging it in wagon trains over mountain passes, but it’s not that bad. Really.

Start of the Misery Ridge Trail just across the bridge at Smith Rock State Park.

The Misery Ridge Trail ascends immediately on a scree surface at Smith Rock State Park.

Stairs interspersed with scree on the Misery Ridge Trail help to prevent further erosion at Smith Rock State Park.

Wear and tear on the much used MIsery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

More stairs have been added each year on the Misery Ridge Trail due to accelerated erosion from those not staying on the trails  at Smith Rock State Park.

The Red Wall climbing area is accessed by the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Once past the Red Wall, the Misery Ridge Trail continues along the ridge with the Crooked River down below at Smith Rock State Park.

A series of switchbacks doubles back and forth to snake up the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

A long set of stairs has been added to the Misery Ridge Trail to recreate the path that was taken out by hikers cutting the trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The flat rocks at the summit of the Misery Ridge Trail afford rest and great views of the river gorge below and the Monument Area to the left at Smith Rock State Park. 

A map at the summit of the Misery Ridge Trail shows your position and marks the path to the rest of the ridge trail at Smith Rock State Park.

A sign just past the map points the way to walk along the ridge to see the icon pinnacle, Monkey Face.

Mountain views are plentiful of the Cascade Range along the summit ridge of the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

More views of the Crooked River and houses below along the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Junipers dot the ridgeline on the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

More signage points the way just in case you think you're lost along the Misery Ridge Trail ridgeline on the way to Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

Just past a bench with a great view lurks the top of Monkey Face on the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park. A sign points to the continuation of the trail to descend to the Monkey base.

The descent down the other side of the Misery Ridge Trail summit starts a series of steep scree switchbacks at Smith Rock State Park.

Be prepared for scree buildup on the switchback corners of the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Monkey Face gets further away until the switchbacks take you back to the base on the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

A Monkey Face look-alike is seen from the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

A set of stairs and the sign pointing back up the hill at the base of Monkey Face marks the end to the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park. The loop is completed by joining either leg of the Mesa Verde Trail to the River Trail and back to the bridge.

NOTE:  Horseback riding and mountain biking are not allowed on the Misery Ridge Trail.

In fact, the Misery Ridge Trail could be renamed “Awesome” Ridge, because that’s what it is when you get up to the 3,360 foot summit. Especially if you decide to hike it from the other direction as described in detail on this suggested hike.

Off-limits to mountain bikers and horseback riders, hikers can take the Misery Ridge Trail at their own pace, yielding to others that have a faster one. Trekking poles can help for balance as well as an assist in powering up the 600 foot elevation gain. They also help a bum knee on the way down navigate the scree.

The .68 mile trail to the summit takes off directly across from the bridge. You soon meet up with climbers on Picnic Lunch Wall after a series of small switchbacks. Continuing up, you pass Ship Rock and another favorite climbing destination, the Red Wall.

A series of wooden steps helps hold the crumbling trail in place. Each year people cutting the trail erodes it even more. Don’t be one of them. A lot of volunteers in addition to the park staff work hard each year to maintain the trail system.

Once at the summit, scramble up on the rock ridges. Get a great view of the Monument Area to your left. Look down and see the Crooked River as it winds around below.

Continue on the path for another .3 miles, and you’ll come to another great viewpoint. All decked out with a park bench, you can take a load off while you take in the beauty of the scenery in all directions. The top of one of the park icons, Monkey Face, looms at the ridge. Hang out and watch slackliners traverse a rigged line to the Monkey’s “mouth.”

You can often see climbing parties on various routes finishing up their ascent of the free-standing welded tuff pillar. Done for the day after watching the climbers? Go back the way you came–just keep your weight centered over your knees on the steep scree down. You’ll be fine.

Not done and want to do the Misery Ridge Loop Trail along the River Trail? See the TIP below.

TIP:  DO THE MISERY RIDGE TRAIL LOOP

Rested up, you can complete the rest of the trail down a series of switchbacks past the Monkey. You then make a loop back to the bridge along the River Trail for a total of 3.7 miles.

(See it here in reverse)

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The North Point Trail is a short, flat, .5 mile loop at the top of the Northern Point.

Start of North Point Trail at the end of the Turnaround Parking area by the Homestead Trail sign.

Continuing down the gravel path you come to a basalt rock shelf.

The basalt columns are loosely connected and steeply drop off into the river canyon below. KEEP PETS ON LEASH AND CHILDREN CLOSE.

Peering down over the northern most edge you can see climbers on the routes below.

Continuing on the faint trails along the top of the river gorge affords great views.

Continuing on the faint paths you pull back away from the gorge.

The path gets a bit more pronounced as you wander into the sage and juniper trees.

The path is again hard to distinguish at times, but you'll see it lead out to the parking area.

A popular climbing area–rock columns along the ridge form a spectacular platform. Views of the river gorge below and the park unfold around you.

Birders will want to bring their binoculars to capture the sight of golden eagles feeding their young during nesting season across the way in the Monument area. Speaking of young, keep your children close and pets leashed as you explore the edges of the rim. The columns are not solidly connected, and it’s a steep drop down. Accessible from the turnaround cul-de-sac parking area as you drive .5 miles past the Welcome Center, the trail meanders around the rim’s edge.

Outstanding views abound of some popular climbing areas of the Student Wall to the right along the gorge, Staendar Ridge directly across, and The Marsupials to the far right on BLM land. Take the connecting Homestead Trail for a steep descent into the park. Or stay and check out the amphitheater viewpoint, built after the big fire in the park in 1996.

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THE EASY RIM ROCK TRAIL PROVIDES SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE PARK ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF A .5 MILE STROLL ALONG THE CANYON RIDGE.

Start of the Rim Rock Trail from the Overlook at Smith Rock State Park.

Rim Rock Trail along the picnic and play areas at Smith Rock State Park.

Viewing bench for seeing rock climbers, wildlife, mountain and canyon views along Rim Rock Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Continuation of the path away from the main climbing view area toward the campground at Smith Rock State Park.

Signage along the Rim Rock Trail at Smith Rock State Park as you approach the path to the campground.

Path to the campground at the end of the Rim Rock Trail and intersection of Rope-de-Dope Trail into the canyon at Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE:  Horseback riding is not allowed on the Rim Rock Trail.

From the Welcome Center and Native Garden, wind to the left along a gravel path that overlooks the river canyon below. You can picnic at nearby tables, and have the kids play on the Monkey Face climbing wall. Or save it for the way back to hang out in a shady area before driving home.

Strategically placed park benches allow you to observe the climbers on Christian Brothers, The Dihedrals and Morning Glory Wall. You can rest while they provide the show. 

Pack some binoculars and you can get up close and personal with the rest of the wildlife too. Geese and birds of prey use the gorge as a food corridor and path to their nesting areas.

As you keep winding left you see Asterisk Pass, marked by a boulder resembling Woodstock from Snoopy comic strip fame. The Smith Rock Group with Phoenix Buttress, another popular climbing area, lies just beyond the horse ford. On summer days you may see them crossing with their riders when the river is lowest.

Hang a sharp left at the junction to return on a loop that you pick up by the RV parking lot. It rejoins the main trail you came up on and takes you back to the Welcome Center.

Want to go down to the canyon?  Stay straight at the junction for .14 miles, and it takes you to the Rope-de-Dope Trail. Hang a sharp right and go down into the park, or continue straight to go into the campground Bivy area.

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The popular 2.5 mile River Trail is a favorite for families and those wanting to cover a lot of the park on mostly flat terrain.

Make a left at the bridge to head out on the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

You'll cross over several wood bridges on the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The River Trail path takes you past the big walls and major climbing areas at Smith Rock State Park.

A bench on the River Trail and a trail up to a compost restroom allow you to hang out and watch the climbers at Smith Rock State Park.

Ducks, otters, and blue heron are often spotted in the water along the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The River Trail rises and falls gently at Smith Rock State Park.

Horses can be seen fording the river as well as deer at the low points of the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Natural caves with climbing routes nearby make for an interesting journey along the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Great views of the iconic Monkey Face pillar can be seen from the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Undulating scree surfaces can be slippery on the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Shade trees along the River Trail keep it cool on the hot days of summertime at Smith Rock State Park.

Sign for the Summit Trail marks the end of the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE: Horseback riding is restricted between the bridge and the horse ford. Access for riders on the River Trail is via the Canyon Trail and then crossing the river.

It starts on your left just after you cross the bridge in the river gorge. First you need to descend into the park from the main entrance by the Welcome Center. Your two options just past the Overlook are the steep scree Chute Trail, or the more gentle gravel Canyon Trail.

Looking straight up at the rock face at the start of the trail, you start to see climbers on routes along Picnic Lunch Wall. As you round the bend, you come to the main climbing areas of Morning Glory Wall, The Dihedrals, and Christian Brothers.

There is a compost bathroom nearby should you care to hang out a while on a bench off the trail and watch the climbers. Just past Christian Brothers as you round the bend, look up to your right at Asterisk Pass, marked by a boulder resembling Woodstock from Snoopy comic strip fame.

As you continue along the bend you come up on a horse ford, where on summer days you may see them crossing with their riders when the river is lowest.

The Smith Rock Group with Phoenix Buttress, another popular climbing area, lies just beyond. As you round the Southern Tip, another climbing spot, you may see deer fording the river. Continuing along the river, you’ll see small grassy islands, where water fowl tend to hang out, as well as the occasional otter family swim by.

The trail ascends a bit at this point, but then flattens out quickly along the river’s edge once again. Follow it past the Mesa Verde Trail junction for .49 miles to the Summit Trail/Mesa Verde Trail junction. Great views, including that of a park icon, Monkey Face are all along the way. At this point you can simply turn around and go back the way you came to stay on level ground. 

See the TIP below for going up for more views and coming back via the Misery Ridge Loop.

TIP:  DO THE MISERY RIDGE LOOP

If you want to get some amazing views from the top, as well as get up close and personal with Monkey Face, hang a right on to the Mesa Verde Trail, for a steep .28 miles.

Once at the top, take the .68 mile Misery Ridge Trail along the ridge until it descends down a steep scree path back to the bridge.

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The .5 mile Rope-de-Dope Trail gets its name from the Rope-de-Dope climbing area.

The start of the Rope-de-Dope Trail emerges to the left of the giant climbing rock block that bears its name at Smith Rock State Park.

Stairs lead to a scree trail as the Rope-de-Dope Trail heads up out of the river canyon at Smith Rock State Park.

As the Rope-de-Dope Trail levels off to river views below, climbers from the campground are frequently coming down the path at Smith Rock State Park.

Scree trails yield to more stairs as the Rope-de-Dope Trail continues up to the top of the canyon at Smith Rock State Park.

The intersection of the Rope-de-Dope Trail with the Rim Rock Trail. Go right to the campground or left back to the parking area at Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE:  Horseback riding and mountain biking are not allowed on Rope-de-Dope Trail.

Coming into the park from the main Overlook and down the Canyon Trail, make a left at the sign to the Rope-de-Dope Trail. A popular connector to other trails in the system, climbers take it from the Bivy campground to get into the park.

A combination of scree trail and wooden steps lead up to the left from the Rope-de-Dope climbing area. You emerge from behind the giant rock block that bears its name. Once along the rim great canyon and river views of the entire park are below. 

Continue climbing out of the park until you reach a junction that goes left to take the Rim Rock Trail along the ridge as it winds around and eventually gets back to the Welcome Center.

Staying at the Bivy? Hang a right at the junction. 

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Relatively new to the park trail system, the Summit Trail lives up to its name.

The Summit Trail starts at the junction of the River Trail and the Mesa Verde Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

While horseback riding is permitted on the River Trail to where riders officially ford the Crooked River, it is not allowed on the Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park moves away from the river and toward the rock walls.

The Summit Trail has some scree sections you need to pay attention to at Smith Rock State Park.

The Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park gradually gains elevation.

The Summit Trail continues to gain elevation at Smith Rock State Park. 

A small section of the Summit Trail is on private property outside of the Smith Rock Park official boundary.

The Summit Trail gently gains elevation once back in Smith Rock State Park.

A quick detour to check out the viewpoint on the Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park is definitely worth it.

Views of the Crooked River below from the Summit Trail viewpoint at Smith Rock State Park.

The Summit Trail continues to gain elevation at Smith Rock State Park once back on the main path returning from the viewpoint.

More views are presented at every turn on the Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

The famous switchbacks of the Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park.

Some of the switchbacks on the Summit Trail at Smith Rock State Park can be challenging in a downhill direction for mountain bikers.

Finally the Summit Trail tops out at the summit of the Burma Road Trail. To do the Summit Trail Loop continue straight ahead and down the Burma Road back to Smith Rock State Park.

NOTE:  Horseback riding is not allowed on the Summit Trail.

It tops out at the summit of the Burma Road Trail at just over 3600 feet. A connector trail, you can access it from the river by continuing straight on the River Trail.

The first part of the trail takes you through a portion of private property, which is well marked and obvious. Be respectful of the neighbors’ generosity and stay on the trail.

Stay on the trail anyway. Everywhere. A lot of volunteers in addition to the park staff work hard each year to maintain the trail system.

After climbing a bit, you come upon a junction where a sharp right takes you to a viewpoint where you get spectacular 180 degree views of the park. The Monument Area is on your left, and the Red Wall to your right—the river gorge below. Not a bad place to grab a snack and hydrate a bit.

Getting back on the trail you pass the back side of The Monument, the tallest pillar of the ridge line. It’s also a popular climbing area when the golden eagles aren’t nesting. From there you steadily climb up a series of 14 switchbacks until you pop out at the summit of the Burma Road Trail.

To get back to the bridge you can go back the way you came. See the TIP below to do the Summit Trail Loop.

TIP:  DO THE SUMMIT TRAIL LOOP

Want the grand tour loop? Go down the Burma Road Trail to the river level where it joins the Wolf Tree Trail for a total of 7.3 miles once you are back across the bridge and up to the Welcome Center.

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After crossing the bridge, take the right fork to get on the easy mile long Wolf Tree Trail.

The Wolf Tree Trail at Smith Rock State Park is great for watching climbers as you go around the rock walls.

The Wolf Tree Trail follows the Crooked River at Smith Rock State Park toward the Monument area.

A giant ponderosa along the Wolf Tree Trail provides a nice bench in the shade to watch the wildlife at Smith Rock State Park.

Shade trees are plentiful along the Wolf Tree Trail for those hot summer days at Smith Rock State Park.

Horses fording the river from the Homestead Trail enter the Wolf Tree Trail to then head up to the Burma Road outside of Smith Rock State Park.

The Wolf Tree Trail pops out of the trees to great river views at Smith Rock State Park.

The Wolf Tree Trail goes past giant rock pinnacles on your left where golden eagles nest at Smith Rock State Park.

Heading up and away from the river on the Wolf Tree Tree at Smith Rock State Park watch your footing on the scree surface.

The Wolf Tree Trail continues to climb gently away from the river at Smith Rock State Park.

The end of the Wolf Tree Trail at Smith Rock State Park forks up to the steep Burma Road Trail, or you can go along the Student Wall and see river views along the gorge.

NOTE: Horseback riding is restricted between the bridge and the horse ford. Access for riders on the Wolf Tree Trail is via the Homestead Trail and then by crossing the river at the horse ford.

Immediately looking up to your left, you see climbers on the popular Picnic Lunch Wall. The Ship Rock formation and Red Wall climbing area are next as you follow the trail along the river.

Geese, ducks, and the occasional blue heron frequent the area, as well as the two-legged fish seekers fly fishing the river. Next, you come upon a huge ponderosa tree that offers a break from the heat of the summer. It’s also a great place just to hang out on the bench below it.

As you round the bend and go past the horse ford, you come into the Monument area. Always open for hiking, it’s also a popular climbing area when it isn’t nesting season for the golden eagles that construct huge 6-8 foot nests on the rock faces. You may want to pack your binoculars. It’s a great area for watching raptor activity of all sorts.

Continuing past the Monument, you start to ascend gently across a rock field then up some more on to scree until you reach the Burma Road junction. You can turn around at this point, or explore some more by seeing the TIP below.

TIP:  EXPLORE MORE OF THE GORGE

Want to explore more of the river canyon? When you reach the signage to the Burma Road Trail, follow the sign left and then go right at the Student Wall sign and up to the top of the Student Wall climbing area. The ridge along the river gorge provides some great views below.

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