Smith Rock State Park
Megan W.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

Ranger Review: Renogy Eflex Solar Panel at Smith Rock State Park

Having grown up in Central Oregon, I'm no stranger to Smith Rock State Park. My family used to spend weekends hiking the trails and watching rock climbers defy gravity on the massive basalt walls. I didn't get into rock climbing until college, and it's a shame that Smith was in my backyard and I never took advantage!

When I moved back to Oregon, I knew I'd spend quite a bit of time at Smith Rock, and the campground did not disappoint! We spend a lot of time in dispersed camping on Forest Service roads, so the amenities at Smith rocked!

Tents are pitched at the Bivouac, an area about 50-100ft away from where you park. If you get there early enough, sites along the fence posts offer incredible views of the Crooked River and basalt monoliths. However, there are plenty of places to pitch your tent, and even some good trees for hanging a hammock.

In the center of parking, there are a bunch of picnic tables for the communal eating area. You're not allowed to cook food at the Bivouac, so all meals must be made in the center of the parking lot (I assume this is to mitigate fire hazards). The bathrooms are unbelievably clean and you can take a shower for $2. Alongside the outer wall of the bathrooms, there's a giant sink and dish washing area.

Costs have gone up since I first visited the Bivouac, and are now $8/person/night. Not bad, considering most other parks in Oregon are upwards of $20/night. Parking at the trailhead requires a $5 fee, which is included in your camp fee. Plus, if you have a Parks Pass or Northwest Forest pass, the fee is already covered.

There are only two downsides: 1) No fires allowed, so in turn, no s'mores. 2) Super popular and no reservations. I recommend going early to nab a spot. Arriving too late on a Friday in the summer is an almost guarantee the campground will be full.

5/5 would absolutely recommend!

Renogy Portable Solar Panel Review

It was SUCH a treat to have power at our campsite! I normally let my phone battery drain and wait until I'm home to charge it again. It's nice being completely disconnected, but I like having my phone to keep track of time and to take pictures. With the portable solar panel I was able to do that!

There are a few things to know about the solar panel: it doesn't have a power bank, so whatever energy it gathers from the sun it can't store. You can purchase an attachment from Renogy (a portable power bank) to store the energy as you collect, but otherwise you can plug in your phone's USB cord, set the panel up in direct sunlight, and your device will begin to charge!

When we were at Smith it was 70 degrees and sunny (perfect for climbing!), and with the panel in direct sunlight, I charged my phone completely in less than two hours. The panel comes with two carabiners so you can easily attach it to a pack and charge while you're hiking. It's also scratch and water resistant so you don't have to worry about dirtying it up at camp or on your hike. This seems like a perfect addition to backpacking gear as well so you can keep your devices charged without taking up a lot of space.

5/5 would definitely recommend this product to anyone who camps!

Month of VisitMay
  • Gorgeous Central Oregon
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  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Smith Rock State Park by Megan W., August 14, 2018