Crooked River Canyon Rim Trail
Knife-edge basalt rim with 400-foot drop-offs
The Crooked River Canyon Rim Trail follows a knife-edge route along 400-foot vertical basalt cliffs carved by the Crooked River near Terrebonne. This 12-mile out-and-back technical trail starts at the Crooked River Day Use Area and follows primitive roads and cattle trails along the canyon’s eastern rim. The highlight is Monkey Face, a 350-foot volcanic spire that’s a world-famous rock climbing destination. Several sections run within feet of sheer drop-offs with no guardrails — just sagebrush and your survival instincts between you and a very bad day.
This is expert-level wheeling that demands experienced drivers with spotters for the exposure sections. Stock vehicles with good tires can handle most of it, but the rim sections require nerves of steel and precise line choice. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, though summer brings brutal heat. No permits needed, but respect private property boundaries. Dispersed camping is limited due to the terrain. You’ll trade comfort for some of the most dramatic high desert canyon scenery in central Oregon — just don’t look down.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD with experienced driver |
| Nearest town | Terrebonne, OR |
| Land manager | Oregon State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | stateparks.oregon.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock 4WD can technically fit the minimum requirement, but this is an expert-rated trail on loose basalt with narrow singletrack and serious exposure — stock clearance is marginal and driver experience matters more than the build. A lift and skid plates will save you grief, but an unprepared rig on the edge of a 400-foot drop is a bad day regardless of suspension.
When does the Crooked River Canyon Rim Trail open and close for the season?
Best season is April through October. Spring can bring soft, wet soil that makes the rim edge unstable, and winter snow or ice on basalt near vertical drop-offs is genuinely dangerous — don't push it outside that window.
Do I need a permit to run this trail?
The trail falls under Oregon State Parks jurisdiction — check with the Crooked River National Grassland or Oregon State Parks directly before your trip, as access rules and any day-use requirements can change. No dedicated wheeling permit is currently required, but confirm current status at stateparks.oregon.gov.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it sketchy?
The exposed basalt rim sections are where it gets serious — narrow singletrack with loose rock and drop-offs up to 400 feet with no guardrails and minimal recovery room. One wrong line and you're off the edge; there's no room for a three-point turn if you second-guess yourself mid-section.
How's cell service out there and is there camping nearby?
Cell service is spotty at best along the rim — treat this as a no-service zone and plan accordingly with a satellite communicator. Dispersed camping options are limited near the rim itself; Skull Hollow Campground in the Crooked River National Grassland is your closest established base, about 20 minutes from the trailhead.
Trail track
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