Smith River National Recreation Area

Smith River National Recreation Area is a nature reserve in California covering approximately 305,000 acres of forest with clear waterways and diverse wildlife throughout. The area sits within Six Rivers National Forest and features several developed campgrounds positioned along major streams for visitor access.

Congress established this protected area in 1990 as the northern border for Redwood National and State Parks. The creation secured one of California's last major river systems without dams.

The Tolowa people maintained strong connections to this land, utilizing the Smith River and surrounding forests for their traditional practices.

Five developed campgrounds near major streams provide starting points for fishing, hiking, and rafting activities. The area is accessible year-round, though warmer months offer better conditions for outdoor pursuits and less snowfall at higher elevations.

The Smith River remains one of the last undammed waterways in California and maintains natural populations of steelhead trout and chinook salmon. This free-flowing nature makes the river ecologically important for the region's fish populations.

Location: Siskiyou County

Operator: United States Forest Service

Website: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/srnf/recarea/?recid=11440

GPS coordinates: 41.75429,-123.85706

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47