This park is located near Redmond, Oregon in what is considered the high desert just east of the Cascade Mountains. You would think you were in the Southwest with all the high, colorful cliffs but it is volcanic ash, tuff and rhyolite instead of sandstone. And the beautiful Crooked River runs through it. It is a rock climbing mecca but also has many hikes.

For both hikes featured, you have to go down a short steep trail from the visitors' center to the river. The first photo shown for each trail is from the top. My favorite route is to take the Misery Ridge Trail which has about 500' elevation gain to the top where you have amazing 360° views - including peaks of Mt. Washington and Jefferson which are often snow covered. This is a fairly tough climb with lots of stairs. Best done when it is cool. After reaching Monkey Face (a 400' tower that is a favorite of climbers), you head down and intersect first with the Mesa Verde trail and then with the River Trail which takes you back to the starting point. Parts of this trail - both going up and down - are very steep and slippery as there is lose rock on the trail. Walking sticks are very helpful. The loop is 3.7 miles. You can also start on River Trail and come down Misery Trail.

If you don't want a steep climb, you can just take the River Trail and go as far as you want before turning around. River Trail is very easy and quite beautiful with high, very colorful cliffs on one side and the river on the other side. You usually see rock climbers as well. Other than the views from the top which are breathtaking, I think the most beautiful trail is the River Trail as the cliffs are truly amazing and you get wonderful reflections of them in the Crooked River.