Take a Tour of the Vision for the New Smith Rock State Park Visitor Center
November 26, 2024
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.
We meet Matt at the entrance sign to the park, next to the “RV Parking Lot,” where he describes the first glimpse we will get of the new Visitor Center behind the parking area and approaching the canyon rim, with a low profile from the road. Matt explains that where he is standing is likely to become a shuttle or bus drop-off zone. Later in the video, Matt expands on how views of the park walls from the road and from neighbors’ homes will be minimally impacted due to the curvature of the land where the building will be located as well as structural considerations.
Smith Rock State Park Manager Matt Davey points out where the visitor will get the first glimpse of the new Visitor Center
The low profile of the design and spacious windows will aim to preserve views.
aerial view of the new Smith Rock State Park Visitor Center showing location from the main road
The 2400 square-foot structure includes a main interpretative area, a desk with a greeting area, interpretative panels, and floor to ceiling windows offering direct views of the canyon from inside. Four fully accessible restrooms will be housed in a separate building that will always remain open across a breezeway from the main area. The Visitor Center will also provide water bottle fillers, drinking fountains, and bike racks.
The main building of the new Smith Rock Visitor Center will provide great views along with interpretative panels and a greeting area. Click to enlarge.
Matt points out the open views of the breezeway.
Matt points out the location of the restrooms building across the breezeway.
As we mentioned earlier, the slope of the land becomes an asset to having the structure not impede the dramatic views. As Matt stands along the canyon rim, he shows how the proposed Overlook works with the contours of the rim and connects to an extended Rim Rock Trail that becomes a connection to the North Point area of the park without having to walk through the parking lot.
There’s lots more to learn about, including a proposed new Canyon Trail pedestrian-only extension that comes directly off of the new Visitor Center. Find out about operating hours, the project timeline, and the impacts of construction on your upcoming park visit once all the dirt starts flying.
“I’m really excited to see a Visitor Center gain traction and momentum after being put on hold in 2019. It’s going to be a huge addition to the park and the overall visitor experience.”