Misery Ridge Loop

The place

Why Misery Ridge Loop is worth the stop

Misery Ridge Loop is the named 4.0-mile circuit on the official Oregon State Parks Smith Rock trail map. It combines canyon, river, and high rim above the Crooked River. The map also lists Misery Ridge Trail as a 1.0-mile segment; this page uses the full named loop, not that segment alone.

The park is open dawn to dusk. A day-use parking permit is required and can be purchased on site. Rangers enforce the leash law and ask all users to stay on trails. Drones are prohibited year-round.

What the experience feels like

From the day-use area near the Welcome Center, the loop typically includes a steep scree climb, rim views, a descent past Monkey Face, and a return along the river. The official map does not publish loop elevation gain, so this guide does not invent one. Treat the ridge as strenuous. Heat, loose rock, and crowded trails are routine.

Climbing-route closures to protect nesting raptors typically run about January 15 to August 1 and do not close this hiking loop. Stay on marked trails. Do not scramble Asterisk Pass unless you are prepared for a rock scramble that is not this featured hike.

The That Oregon Life Smith Rock article is park-wide coverage. This page is the trail-specific planning URL.

From our Oregon archive: Read That Oregon Life’s full story about this trail.

Know before you go

Practical trail information

Distance

4 mi round trip

Difficulty

Hard

Route type

Loop

Elevation gain

Varies by route

Trailhead

Smith Rock State Park day-use area near the Welcome Center

Parking

Use the signed Smith Rock State Park day-use lots. The lots can fill; do not park on vegetation or block emergency access.

Permit

No hiking permit is normally required. The park is open dawn to dusk.

Fees

A day-use parking permit is required; a one-day permit can be purchased on site.

Dogs

Oregon State Parks enforces the leash law. Pets must stay on trail with their people.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in the developed day-use area; verify current facility status.

Best season

Usable much of the year, but heat, ice, and wet rock can make the steep sections unsafe. Climbing-route closures to protect nesting raptors typically run about January 15 to August 1 and do not close the hiking loop.

Key hazards

Steep scree, exposure, heat, loose rock, rattlesnakes, crowded trails, and climbers below the rim require care. Stay on marked trails. Drones are prohibited year-round.

No star ratings

Why this is rated hard

The hard rating reflects 4 mi round trip where steep grades, exposure, heat, or remoteness require stronger preparation and a willingness to turn around.