Smith Spring Trail Loop
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The paved section to Manzanita Spring is exposed with zero shade — on summer afternoons, surface temperatures can make this stretch miserable. Start early or wait for late afternoon.
Rattlesnakes are active spring through fall, especially on the rocky unpaved section near Smith Spring. Watch where you step and where you sit.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Hike the loop counterclockwise — hit Manzanita Spring first on the paved section, then climb to Smith Spring while your legs are fresh and finish with the downhill return to Frijole Ranch.
Bring binoculars, not just a water bottle. The dense vegetation around Smith Spring attracts painted buntings, Scott's orioles, and canyon wrens that you won't spot anywhere else in the park this easily.
Linger at Smith Spring itself — there's a natural rock bench near the waterfall that most people walk right past. It's the coolest spot in the park on a hot day, and the light filtering through the canopy makes for moody photographs around mid-morning.
Photos
NPS/Bieri
