Hike to Central Oregon’s Chimney Rock
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, providing a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon at no extra cost to you. I am very grateful for these orders, which help fund the blog.
Construction note: The Chimney Rock Campground is closed for renovations. It is expected to reopen around June 2024.
The trail to Chimney Rock will close on Memorial Day 2024 for improvements. You can still use the trail and parking lot until that time.
Less than an hour from downtown Bend, Chimney Rock gets surprisingly few visitors given its convenience. This spectacular but lightly trafficked hike is the perfect destination when you want to avoid packed parking lots and trails (Smith Rock and Tumalo Falls, I’m looking at you). Nor does Chimney Rock skimp on the scenery. In just over a mile, you’ll see towering basalt cliffs, the Crooked River Canyon's dramatic contours, and the snowcapped peaks of the Cascade Mountains. In late spring, the wildflowers are a treat. Here is everything you need to know about the hike to Chimney Rock in Central Oregon.
You’ll see Cascade peaks on the way to Chimney Rock. From left to right: Mt Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters.
Know before you go
Parking is free at the Chimney Rock Trailhead. You don’t need a pass or permit.
Look for restrooms and picnic tables across the road from the trailhead parking lot. The restroom building was closed when I visited, probably because of the temporary campground closure.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Please stay on the trail. The high desert wildflowers that grow here don’t always grow back when they’re damaged.
There is no shade on the hike to Chimney Rock.
Bring lots of water. It’s a hot and thirsty hike even on a cool day.
The trail to Chimney Rock has some drop-offs. If you’re hiking with small children, know that they are easy to avoid but don’t have guardrails.
If you hike on a warm day, watch for rattlesnakes. Sightings are unusual but possible.
When to visit
Phlox is one of the first wildflowers to appear along the trail
Spring is one of the best times to visit Chimney Rock. Wildflowers begin to emerge in April and will peak around May or June. The temperatures are generally pleasant and the air is clear without wildfire smoke.
Since the trail does not have shade, it gets very hot in the summer. I hiked on a cool day (around 60 degrees F) and was sweating while walking uphill in the sun. In the summer, temperatures can reach 100 degrees. If you do visit in the summer, go early in the morning to avoid the scorching midday heat. Drier conditions also make for a dusty trail.
Lower temperatures and more rainfall make fall a good time to hike to Chimney Rock. Winter can be lovely, too. Just be sure to check conditions before heading out in case of snow or ice.
The unshaded trail to Chimney Rock gets extremely hot in the summer
On the trail To Chimney Rock
Distance: 2.6 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: None
Dog friendly: Yes
ADA access: No
Season: All year, but better avoided on hot summer days. Spring and fall are great times to go.
An observation deck overlooks the Crooked Wild and Scenic River
The details:
Before starting the hike to Chimney Rock, it’s worth taking a minute to visit the observation deck across the road from the day-use parking lot. Just past the restroom building, you’ll see a platform over the Crooked River, the same river you’ll be admiring from hundreds of feet of elevation at the end of the hike.
Crooked River
During my April visit, the Crooked River was cloudy and full, its swollen waters lapping up onto the grassy riverbanks. There’s a picnic table if you want to linger. You might spot a heron fishing. Otherwise, head back to the trailhead to begin the hike.
The trail begins alongside a rocky plateau
Starting from the trailhead, you’ll start climbing steadily uphill, a trend that continues throughout the hike. Although never very steep, I found myself getting a little short of breath at times, I think partly because it’s 3,000 feet higher in elevation than my sea-level home in Portland. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my flawless conditioning. Perish the thought.
The desert looks green in spring
The high desert landscape surrounding the trail has plenty of charms to distract from the elevation gain. Junipers, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush make up much of the vegetation. Towards the end of April, early-blooming wildflowers emerge. Phlox, desert parsley, prairie stars, and yellow bells add welcome splashes of color to the otherwise muted colors of the desert. You might see mule deer grazing on the hills or hawks flying overhead as you walk.
Prairie stars are among the first wildflowers
At least as interesting as the plants along the trail are the rocks. Lava flows covered this area long ago, depositing layers of basalt. The Crooked River carved a canyon through the layers, exposing chunky hexagonal columns. My sister and I speculated about which of the many rocky plateaus, knobs, and ledges might be Chimney Rock. We felt a bit silly when we finally saw it toward the end of the hike. It’s obvious and you’ll know right away.
One of many distinctive rock formations along the trail
You’ll see some tall cliffs to your right toward the beginning of the hike. The trail will lead to the top of them. On your way up, you’ll pass a few tortuous skeletons of dead juniper trees. Bright green lichen covers their bare branches.
Lichen covers a juniper skeleton
As you make your way up the hill towards the rocky plateau, you’ll see the first glimpse of a Cascade summit above the hills. Mt Bachelor appears first, followed by Broken Top and the Three Sisters.
You’ll see the top of Mt Bachelor as you make your way up switchbacks
Be careful to avoid a dead-end user trail on your way to the plateau. It will look like a fork to the right but doesn’t lead anywhere but wildflower habitat. A few rocks in front of the false fork help reduce the confusion.
Keep left at this switchback
Once you reach the top of the plateau, you’re rewarded with a bench overlooking the Crooked River Canyon backed by a ridge of Cascade peaks. Sit with caution. The bench wobbles and is a better ab workout as you balance on it than a relaxing seat. Still, it’s an absurdly beautiful place to stop for a snack.
A wobbly bench with a first-class view
The trail flattens out once you pass this bench and follows the contours of the plateau. Look for excellent views of the Cascades as you walk. Despite the cliffs, the trail doesn’t get very close to the edge and feels safe.
Look for Mt Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters toward the end of the hike
At this point in my hike, a couple of mating monarchs landed on the trail to make things just that much more idyllic.
The trail to Chimney Rock is a great place to see butterflies
About a mile into the hike, you’ll round a corner and see the unmistakable basalt tower of Chimney Rock. The rest of the hike to reach it is an easy stroll. You can walk up to it and sit on the bench at its base…buuuut I just sat on the rocks here after the adventure of the first bench.
My sister in front of Chimney Rock — we made it!
Chimney Rock on its own is an interesting rock formation, but what makes it special is the scenery around it. Standing at its base, you’ll see the Crooked River Canyon stretch out in both directions.
The Crooked River flows at the base of the canyon beneath Chimney Rock
You can walk carefully out onto ledges on the sides of Chimney Rock to reach the least obstructed views. The drop-offs are too steep to walk around it. Look for the tops of a couple of Cascade summits to the northwest.
Crooked River Canyon
After you’ve taken in the views, return the way you came. It will be downhill, finally.
Enjoy the downhills on the way back
Geology of Chimney Rock
The rock that makes up the Crooked River Canyon is basalt from volcanic activity. Two important volcanic events contributed to its formation. The first was about 16.7 million years ago. Far-traveled lava flows poured out from cracks in northeastern Oregon and flowed across the state, covering the area around Chimney Rock. Much later, the Newberry Volcano erupted around 350,000 years ago, depositing more basalt on top of the older layers.
Chimney Rock
Over time, the Crooked River has eroded this rock, creating the canyon seen today. The exposed basalt has some lovely columns that formed as the lava cooled and cracked into a hexagonal pattern. Like the other cliffs of the Crooked River Canyon, Chimney Rock is basalt and has some excellent columns.
What to bring
Sunscreen. Slather it on.
Sunglasses and sun hat.
Hiking boots if you have them. Otherwise, it’s doable in sneakers.
Things to do near Chimney Rock
Prineville Reservoir
If you’re coming from Bend, you’ll pass the Bowman Dam and the Powderhouse Cove Day Use Area entrance on the way to and from the Chimney Rock Trailhead. There isn’t too much to do here. I bring it up mostly because it’s a scenic place you’ll probably drive past. There’s a boat ramp, fishing dock, and picnic tables by the Prineville Reservoir. I know next to nothing about fishing but met a couple of people who told me it’s a great spot for it. Across the parking lot, look for an old stone building that once stored gunpowder.
Oregon Badlands
Ancient Juniper Trail in the Oregon Badlands
If you take the long way back to Bend from Chimney Rock, you’ll drive past the Oregon Badlands. The Flatiron Trailhead is an easy stop next to Highway 20 that begins a couple of lovely hikes through a forest of venerable junipers. Some of the trees here are over 1,000 years old. Look for the first sand lilies blooming in April with more wildflowers to come in May.
Like Chimney Rock, volcanic activity had a huge impact on the Oregon Badlands. The soft sand-like soil here started as ash erupting from Mount Mazama around 7,700 years ago, the same eruption that formed Crater Lake. The unusual rock formations came from the Newberry Volcano, albeit somewhat indirectly. Around 80,000 years ago, lava from Newberry’s eruption flowed in a lava tube and spilled out through a hole in the tube’s roof, forming the Badlands Volcano.
Here are a couple of great day hikes to try out in the Oregon Badlands:
The Ancient Juniper Trail makes an easy, 3-mile loop through a high desert forest with some really, really old trees. Be sure to take a moment to smell the juniper branches while you’re there.
The hike to Flatiron Rock is a 6-mile out-and-back trek to a 50-foot distinctive-looking rock backed by views of the Cascades. You can return using the Ancient Juniper Trail to make it a partial loop hike.
Camping at Chimney Rock
The Chimney Rock Campground is next to the Crooked River
The Chimney Rock Campground is across the road from the Chimney Rock Trailhead. It will be closed for renovations until around June 2024. When I visited, workers were paving the parking area.
Normally, the Chimney Rock Campground is open year-round. Like the Chimney Rock Trail, it will be most appealing in spring and fall when the temperatures are less intense. The campground has 16 first-come, first-served campsites. It does not take reservations. There are vault toilets, potable water, and picnic tables at the campground. A campsite costs $8/night with a $2 fee if you have an extra vehicle.
Several campgrounds along the Crooked River are close to Chimney Rock Campground. While it’s closed, check out Palisades Campground, Post Pile Campground, Poison Butte Campground, or Big Bend Campground.
Getting there
To reach Chimney Rock Trailhead from Prineville, take State Highway 27 for 16.4 miles. The trailhead will be on your left. The drive takes 25 minutes.
Coming from Bend, take Highway 20 East and then turn left onto Powell Butte Rd. When you reach the traffic circle, take the first exit onto Alfalfa Market Rd. Drive about 14 miles, then keep right to turn onto Reservoir Rd. After 10 miles, turn left onto OR-27. Continue 6.3 miles and the parking area for the Chimney Rock Trailhead will be on your right. The drive from downtown Bend takes about 50 minutes.
Chimney Rock Trail
Explore nearby
How to visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Visit Newberry’s Lava River Cave.
Try the hikes at Smith Rock State Park.
See Oregon’s Painted Hills.
Try out the trails at Crater Lake National Park.
