At Smith Rock, you look up. At Pilot Butte, you look out. In Tumalo, the river offers a good reason to slow the whole thing down.
David Keyte’s state-park tour brings together three very different Central Oregon outings, from a steep trail above the Crooked River to a summer float followed by food carts. Think of them as three days worth making room for.
Watch the original episode
Smith Rock makes an entrance
The Crooked River winds below the cliffs, and the trails give you several ways to take in the setting. David starts with Misery Ridge and the view toward Monkey Face. It is a dramatic introduction to the park, with a climb that deserves both preparation and enough time to enjoy the top.
Choose your route using the Smith Rock State Park guide. Misery Ridge is steep; a less ambitious walk can still give you plenty of scenery. Bring water, stay on designated trails and check current access and parking requirements before leaving.
The park is worth the attention you give it. Let a hike here be the main event rather than a hurried first stop on a crowded schedule.
Pilot Butte puts Bend in perspective
Back in town, Pilot Butte offers another kind of overview. From the summit, the neighborhoods, mountains and high desert begin to fit into a bigger picture. A place you have been navigating one street at a time suddenly makes more sense.
David uses the viewpoint to get his bearings around Bend. You can do the same: find a familiar part of town, look toward somewhere you have yet to explore and enjoy the wide view. The Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint page has current access information, including seasonal changes. Leave time for the walk back as well as the view.
Tumalo ends at a shared table
The film’s summer river outing begins around Tumalo State Park and finishes with food at The Bite. After cliffs and a summit, water supplies a different pace. A meal afterward gives everyone a reason to stay together a little longer.
For a visit today, start with Tumalo State Park’s notices and visitor information. Choose a river outing only after checking conditions, legal access and a planned takeout; wear a life jacket and use equipment suited to the water. A picnic or shore-based visit is another enjoyable way to spend the time.
Then head to The Bite at 19860 7th Street for the current food-cart lineup. Find something you are hungry for and let the table take over the rest of the afternoon. It is a satisfying ending even when the river portion was simply a walk.
Choose the view that calls to you
A canyon hike, a town overlook and a river day belong to the same region without needing to fit the same itinerary. Start with one. The others make good reasons to return.
For more scenery and a meal afterward, follow our Redmond outing, or find another local day in Check It Out.
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