One of the most frustrating things about camping in the Pacific Northwest is that many of the most…read morepopular campsites are reserved out up to six months in advance, making an spontaneous overnight outdoor outing nearly impossible. That's not the case here at the Smith Rock Bivouac Area: a first-come, first-serve space on the bleeding edge of the Crooked River canyon, and in the shadow of its legendary namesake landmark.
Officially, check-in for grabbing a spot (there are no designated campsites, per se) opens at 4pm daily, although we were informed by the camp custodian (stationed in a RV across from the self-pay kiosk) that we were OK to enter upon our arrival at 3:00. Once you've purchased your ticket ($8.00/person, including minors), park your vehicle in lot, and be sure to display your pass on the dash.
The parking lot is ring-shaped, and encloses the only area designated and approved for cooking, and no campfires are allowed anywhere on site, so be sure to bring your gas grills or other method of flameless food preparation. Adjacent to the entrance are the public sinks (potable water, for washing dishes), restrooms and showers, which are reasonably clean, well-maintained, and the water temperate of the latter can be described at "hot enough". And for the mini-mountaineers among your party, there's a small practice climbing rock, complete with handholds, to warm up for the main event!
Beyond the fence at the edge of the parking lot, headed towards Smith Rock, is the bivouac area: several acres of mostly open ground, partitioned by batches of scrub brush and small trees, volcanic rock, and the canyon edge itself. It's definitely possible to find a semi-private area nestled among the bushes and desert foliage, although the spots closest to the cliffside are taken early. Even during our late July visit, most of the campground was unclaimed, but during peak times, excess campers would be relegated to grabbing whatever bit of exposed flat ground is available, giving adequate space between themselves and their neighbors.
However, even if one were forced into close-quarters cohabitation with others, the communal atmosphere here exudes that of enthusiastic appreciation of both man and nature alike: people of like minds, hobbies and interests coming together to revel and share in the beauty and majesty of Mother Earth together.
Whether you've come to Smith Rock for the hiking, rock climbing, camping, or just a day trip to take in the sights of the spectacular spectacle of this miracle of nature, you're in for something special. There are very few places in Oregon, the PNW, or anywhere else on Earth, that offer the quality, quantity and variety of world-class outdoor experiences that Smith Rock does, for next to nothing. Protect it, treasure it, and above all, enjoy it to the fullest extent of what it provides in outdoor activities and adventure opportunities. You will not regret or forget it.
