DAY 1 Afternoon Check into the Cove Palisades State Park campground near Culver just west of Highway 97. Cool off with a swim before dinner, or walk the nature trail, then soak in the sunset from a viewpoint on the eastern ridge of the canyon. If the weather is good, pack a lunch and head out for the day. Afternoon Finish the museum tour. Head back to the Cove Palisades and take a refreshing walk on the new grassland trail.
Evening Wind down with some stunning stargazing from the park amphitheater.
After breakfast, pack up and head south. Stop at Smith Rock State Park for a mid-morning stroll along the Crooked River. If you're lucky you may see climbers scaling the sheer rock face. Continue south on Hwy 97 to Redmond . Head east from Redmond two miles on Hwy 126.