Wild & Scenic Smith River
Smith River NRA
Northern California, Del Norte County
Wild Smith River
Smith River National Recreation Area
One of the least known rivers in the Golden State, the Smith is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. This could be one of the wildest and cleanest rivers in the world.
Located in the Pacific Northwest, this area typically sees the most rainfall of any California region. Smith waters flow from the Klamath mountains of Oregon, to cross into California with state line near O’Brien.
Smith is the only major, un-dammed river inside California and it contains the most original, ancient forest ecosystem than any other waterway in the state.
colorful blue-green
Smith River water often appears emerald green or on clear, sunny days, a turquoise blue color. This is because of the rare green serpentine rocks below that cast their brilliant color.
River Classification & Mileage:
Wild — 78.0 miles
Scenic — 31.0 miles
Recreational — 216.4 miles
Total — 325.4 miles
Beginning up in Oregon….
The Smith River, its three major forks and dozens of side creeks drain a beautiful, rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest, flowing southwest from the Klamath Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Nearing the coast, the river makes an abrupt turn north to meet the sea.
The NRA encompasses more than 450-square-miles of densely forested mountains, pristine botanical areas, remote wilderness landscapes, high-mountain lakes and steep, rocky canyons. The river is an important stream for fish, with towering trees along its banks provide shaded conditions necessary for cold-water species.
CALIF RIVER FISHING – chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. Obtain a California fishing license. CA DFW
WEATHER
A couple of campgrounds in this area are open year round, but the others close down for winter. Rainy season normally runs from October through April with an average annual rainfall over 90 inches. Summers are dry and warm, with high temperatures between 80-100°F. Contact the NRA Headquarters at the Gasquet Ranger Station for current weather forecast/conditions.
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backpacking
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camping
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cliff jumping
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fishing
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hiking
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kayaking
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mountain biking
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paddle boarding
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redwood forests
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river rafting
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snorkeling
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swimming holes
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tubing
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wildlife
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wildflowers
In 1990, the portions of the Smith River on the Six Rivers National Forest were re-designated to create the Smith River National Recreation Area. More than 300 miles of the Smith River drainage are designated wild and scenic, making it one of the most complete river systems in the nation. The emerald-green Smith River flows freely and naturally, without a single dam for its entire length (and the only major river in California to hold this status).
RAPIDS & FLOATS
Winter rains provide the whitewater conditions so avidly sought by kayakers. The Smith River abounds with Class IV and V rapids on all three forks and has many miles of steep creeking waters. Its miles of whitewater require a fairly high degree of technical skills by the boater.
Just past the confluence of the Middle Fork and South Fork, the river leaves the NRA and flows past giant redwoods. Great summer floating in Class I and II waters through here.
Once the three forks join to form the mainstem, the land levels out, and the last 16 miles to the ocean present less demanding conditions, Class I-II in medium flows.
ROADWAYS
California Coastal Redwoods to Oregon
Smith River Scenic Byway
U.S. Highway 199
33 miles long
Northwest California
PDF Smith River Map & Guide
6.5 MB download
20 page river PDF guide w/ trailheads mileage and information, navigable runs detailed, campgrounds, picnic sites, fire lookout tower, plus cabin rental
FOREST & PARKS
along the Smith River
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- Darlingtonia Botanical Trail
- Florence Keller Park
- Gordon Mountain
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Siskiyou Wilderness
- Six Rivers National Forest
- Stout Grove
- Templeman Grove
- Wooden Covered Bridge
Camping Smith River, California
Campgrounds along the Smith River
Campground Camping at Smith River National Recreation Area
RV Camping, Dispersed Camping, Lookouts & Cabin Rentals
More Information
Forks of the Smith River? 45 stream branches and 3 major forks, this huge watershed drains a lot of forest terrain.
Smith River NRA Visitor Center
10600 US Highway 199
Gasquet, CA 95543
707-457-3131
Siskiyou Land Conservancy
siskiyouland.org
Smith River Alliance
smithriveralliance.org
Smith River Swimming Holes
arboursabroad.com/smith-river-swimming-holes
towns near the Smith River:
- Crescent City, CA
- Gasquet, CA
- Hiouchi, CA
- O’Brien, OR
- Smith River
OTHER SMITH RIVERS
By the way, there are other well known fishing destinations called Smith River – Montana & Missouri. Maybe more. Go find ’em.