Accessible Trails in the Redmond Area

Smith Rock State Park

Directions:

Exit highway 97 just north of Redmond to the small town of Terrebonne. Turn right at the flashing yellow lights - "B" Avenue - which becomes Smith Rock Way. Follow the state park signs to the parking area (the road cuts through farming country for 2-3 miles).

Features:

Smith Rock is famous as a rock climbing meca, but it also has hiking trails across the mesa and down along the Crooked river. Sadly, there is no way for persons with disabilities to get down the 140' drop to the fantastic trail that parallels the Crooked river as it snakes along the base of the canyon. Maybe some day Oregon will provide handicap access for everyone to enjoy the bottom of the canyon. Until that time, it is still well worth the time to visit the top of this spectacular park and view across the canyon to the scenic rhyolite cliffs.

As you enter Smith Rock, turn left into the Memorial Viewpoint parking area. The park is nearing completion of the Rim trail as an ADA-approved trail, its gravel path is accessible, but not yet paved. The half-mile handicapped-accessible trail features a bench for resting and beautiful viewpoints along the scenic canyon rim.

It leads from the parking lot to the Rescue station (good viewpoint) and then north to the Day-use area (another good viewpoint). It starts as a gravel level trail and traverses the top, eventually becoming an asphalt trail to the Day-use parking area.

Another good viewpoint with car access is at the turn around parking area at the north end of the road.

Other:

ADA restrooms.

For photos of Memorial Viewpoint and Day-use viewpoint see NWhiker.com. See the Smith Rock State Park Website for a map and brochure. Also see the national forest Website for information on birding and habitat.

For a truly breathtaking view of vertical walls bordering the Crooked River, drive 3 miles north on Highway 97 to the Peter Skene Ogden Scenic Wayside.

Eagle Crest Resort

Directions:

From Sisters – East on Highway 126, 14.5 miles. Right on Cline Falls Highway before bridge. Proceed 1 mile.

From Redmond – West on Highway 126, 5 miles. Left on Cline Falls Highway after bridge. Proceed 1 mile.

From Bend – West on Highway 20, 3.8 miles. Right on Cline Falls Highway at Tumalo. Proceed 9 miles to Eagle Crest.

Features:

This full-service destination, golfing resort has over 11 miles of accessible, paved bike trails including a 1-½ mile nature trail along the Deschutes River.

Other:

Eagle Crest is wheelchair accessible throughout the main lodge, with elevator access to the lobby and special needs units. Restaurants, health spas and most resort facilities are designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Golf courses are primarily level, with paved walkways and gentle slopes. The Eagle Ridge Sports Center has a lift available.

Dry Canyon Trail

Directions:

Redmond is 16 miles north of Bend on Highway 97. There are several trailheads, but wheelchair users should start at the North trailhead near the sewage treatment plant at NW Pershall Way, which has paved parking, ADA restroom, benches on the trail, picnic tables, and a water fountain. (The Fir Avenue trailhead has stairs down to the trail.)

From Highway 97 in Redmond, go west on NW Pershall Way and turn left (south) at the City of Redmond Dry Canyon Trail sign near the treatment plant. Then take the right fork at the City of Redmond Water Pollution Control facility to the parking lot.

Features:

A paved bike trail winds 3.5 miles along the bottom of a juniper-clogged canyon that bisects the north sector of Redmond. Dry Canyon is rimrock basalt that flowed over the Deschutes Formation of Newberry Volcano south of Bend. The canyon floor is volcanic debris ranging from fine ash to big chunks covered by soil formed by sedimentation and decomposition of plant life.

The parched canyon supports dry climate vegetation like sagebrush, Idaho fescue, and biscuitroot. The trail from NW Pershall Way to Fir Ave. is 1.9 miles; Fir Ave. to Highland Ave. is 1.0 mile; and Highland Ave. to Quartz Ave is still being planned.

Other:

Call the city of Redmond for more details. (541) 504-2000