Small Celebration Venue With A Killer View—Smith Rock's North Point Amphitheater
July 16, 2020
The North Point Amphitheater at the end of the “Turnaround Parking Lot” at Smith Rock State Park is the “Phoenix” that rose from the ashes of the devastating “Big Flame” fire that raged through the park over 20 years ago. Today, a plaque on a rock wall by the fence above the rim by the amphitheater is the only mention of the fire that wiped out most of the vegetation for one-third of the park’s 600 acres.
SCENES FROM THE DAY AFTER THE “BIG FLAME” AUGUST 1996 TAKEN FROM THE VIDEO. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
It is only fitting that from such a fiery beginning that what started as a memorial to all those individuals and businesses that contributed to the rebirth of the park is now a venue for new beginnings for so many others. Recently park management has made even further enhancements to this small popular outdoor amphitheater with its platform and bench seating.
The Wall of Flame memorial plaque at the North Point viewpoint.
Big Flame Smith Rock State Park reconstruction donors and volunteers plaques on the Wall of Flame at North Point viewpoint.
“The North Point sign has been a little project to turn the amphitheater area into a reservable site so we can do away with time-consuming special use permits for weddings. We had a metal artist, Lara Ashenfelter, from the Salem area design it.
Did you notice the “reserved” sign in the shape of Monkey Face that swings out from the rear when the site is reserved? Ranger Patrick Tinsley then put his creative skills to work installing it all onto the juniper posts.”
North Point Amphitheater “Reserved” Monkey Face sign
North Point Amphitheater sign
You can now you can reserve the North Point Amphitheater through the Smith Rock State Park office. Below are some site conditions that apply when reserving it.
*Update Feb. 8, 2021
Reservations are again being taken for up to 6 months to the day, starting at 6:00 AM.
This area is not reservable online. Reservations may be made by calling 541-548-7501 ext 2.
A reservation is for the North Point Amphitheater area only.
Parking is not included in the reservation. There is very limited parking nearby, as well as a 15-minute temporary parking space adjacent for loading and unloading only.
There are 36 parking spaces nearby (including 4 ADA), but all are first-come-first-serve and do fill up quickly on busy days. We recommend arriving early to find parking, or arrange for a shuttle drop off
Occupancy limit : 50 people maximum. Bench seating up to 40 people provided.
Hours are from Dawn to Dusk, year-round.
ADA accessible portable toilet nearby. Plumbed restroom facilities are ¼ mile away.
No amplified sound allowed.
Fires are prohibited year-round. No smoking, cooking or generator use.
Decorations may be hung with tape and string only and must be removed prior to departure. Nails, staples, thumbtacks not permitted.
Drones are prohibited.
Reservations can only be made up to 9 months in advance to the requested date.*
Cancellations made 30 days prior to arrival will receive a full refund. For cancellations made less than 30 days prior to arrival, OPRD retains the full reservation fee.
Here’s to many happy beginnings!