Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Oregon’s Deepest Gorge — Viewpoint above the Crooked River Gorge — a 300-foot volcanic canyon with a historic 1926 bridge
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint perches on the rim of the Crooked River Gorge, a dramatic 300-foot-deep canyon carved through volcanic basalt near Terrebonne in Central Oregon. The viewpoint overlooks the historic 1926 steel arch bridge (now pedestrian-only) spanning the gorge, with the modern US-97 bridge adjacent. Far below, the Crooked River winds through columnar basalt walls. The park is named for the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader who explored Central Oregon in the 1820s. Nearby Smith Rock State Park is visible from the gorge rim.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Terrebonne, Deschutes County, OR |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Gorge | 300-foot volcanic canyon |
| Bridge | Historic 1926 steel arch (pedestrian) |
| Nearby | Smith Rock State Park |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk across the old bridge?
Yes — the historic 1926 Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge is now open to pedestrians and provides vertigo-inducing views 300 feet down to the Crooked River.
About Peter Skene Ogden
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint overlooks the dramatic 300-foot-deep Crooked River Gorge in central Oregon. The gorge was carved through volcanic basalt by the Crooked River over millions of years. The viewpoint also offers views of the historic 1926 highway bridge spanning the chasm — a marvel of early 20th-century engineering.
Things to Do
Viewing the dramatic gorge and bridges (the modern Highway 97 bridge soars 300 feet above the river), photography, and short interpretive walks. The area is a haven for rock climbers on the basalt walls. Smith Rock State Park — Oregon’s premier climbing destination — is just 15 minutes north.
🌉 Visit Peter Skene Ogden SSVP
300-foot volcanic gorge — walk the 1926 bridge over Central Oregon’s deepest canyon.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Bend
from $119
from $399
from $215