Smith Rock Shelter

Smith Rock Shelter preserves evidence of long human use and is reached on a natural trail; treat the archaeological site as protected landscape.

Enter through headquarters and follow the park map to Upper Falls, Lower Falls, trailheads, campsites, or cabins. The park often reaches capacity, so reserve a day pass before driving out.

Open daily; gate hours are 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and the office is generally 8:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Visitor Center hours are shorter. This destination may have shorter, seasonal, event, maintenance, water-condition, or weather-dependent hours.

Restrooms are available in developed day-use and camping areas. Primitive trail and creek locations may be far from facilities.

$6 daily for adults age 13 and older; children 12 and under enter free. Camping, cabins, and other facilities cost extra. Current pass rules control.

A 2.8-mile hard-surface route supports strollers and road bikes, and all-terrain wheelchairs may be available. Falls, creek banks, boulders, and natural trails are rugged.

Leashed pets are allowed in most outdoor areas but not inside buildings; keep pets out of swimming areas where posted and protect them from hot rock and creek hazards.

The falls, short trails, fishing, Junior Ranger activities, picnics, and camping suit families, but there are no lifeguards and slippery limestone, sudden depth, heat, and currents require close supervision.

Smith Rock Shelter preserves evidence of long human use and is reached on a natural trail; treat the archaeological site as protected landscape. Reserve before visiting, review active alerts, and call for creek conditions after rain. Onion Creek can flood rapidly; swimming may be unsafe or unavailable even when the park itself is open.

The park is not a convenient transit destination; most visitors drive or arrange a ride. Confirm return transportation because the entrance is separated from major attractions by park roads.