The noted author Peter B. Kyne suggested the name Six Rivers, which refers to
the six major waterways which drain or pass through the Forest: the Smith, Klamath,
Trinity, Mad, Van Duzen, and Eel Rivers.
Mount Lassic Wilderness Area
Smith River National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 228, Gasquet, CA 95543; 707-457-3131;
NFS Website;
The beautiful Smith River offers fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon.
During the summer months, the pure, clean waters of the Smith River are perfect
for swimming, rafting, or fishing and the forested mountainsides present occasions
for hiking, bird watching, wildflower walks, or perhaps just lounging in the sun.
Activities include camping, fishing, and hikes to the top of Bear Basin Butte (5305 ft).
Redwood Highway : US-199
US Highway 199 (established in 1926) is designated as the Redwood Highway and runs along the Middle Fork of the Smith River
from Crescent City California to Grants Pass Oregon.
The majority of the road in California is the Smith River Scenic Byway, a Forest Service Byway.
US 199 begins at a partial interchange with US 101 northeast of Crescent City; Elk Valley Cross Road connects the two routes just to the north for full access.
The highway quickly enters the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, climbs over a ridge, crosses the Smith River, and meets State Route 197.
US 199 follows the banks of the river and its Middle Fork as it takes a steady but curvy climb through the Smith River National Recreation Area
in the Six Rivers National Forest, passing the settlements of Gasquet and Patrick Creek. As it approaches the summit, the Middle Fork Smith River turns east,
but US 199 continues northeast, following Griffin Creek to near its source (where there is a rest area), and passing under Hazel View Summit,
the border between the Smith River NRA and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, in the 1963 Collier Tunnel (elevation about 2100 feet).
(The old curving route over the summit still exists as Oregon Mountain Road.) Upon leaving the tunnel, US 199 descends alongside the small Broken Kettle Creek
into the Elk Valley and crosses into Oregon.
Hiking Trail Adventures:
There are several distinct trailheads thru the Smith River NRA and Six Rivers Forest that branch off from US-199
Stoney Creek Trail - Gasquet Road exit from US-199. Easy 1.6 mile walk along the bluffs of the North Fork of Smith River
where it meets Stoney Creek. Scenic woodland trail.
Elk Camp Ridge Trail - AKA: Old Gasquet Toll Road - Gasquet Exit from US-199. Historic 19-mile pack trail that went
from Crescent City to the gold mines in Southern Oregon. Excellent views of surrounding mountains and the Smith River Canyon.
French Hill Trail - Trailhead at Gasquet Ranger Station - 5.4 mile trail with 2000 foot elevation to French Hill,
one of the wettest places in North America. The abundant precipitation here has a produced a magnificent green forest of Douglas fir and
sugar pines.
McClendon Ford Trail - South Fork Rd Trailhead - Easy 2.0 mile hike thru thick Douglar fir forest. Popular swimming
hole where the trail crosses Horse Creek.
Redwood Coast Adventure Outfitters
The Six Rivers is best known for its valued timber, dispersed recreation, and outstanding
anadromous fishing. Whitewater rafting on the Klamath and Trinity Rivers along with
kayaking on the Smith River are providing visitors exciting water recreation opportunities.
Smith River Fishing
- David Castellanos will treat you to the finest light tackle fishing for these hard fighting coastal river chrome bright trophies.
Crescent City Northwoods Inn
Best Western Resort Hotel
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 Experience a unique escape at this Crescent City hotel located in the heart of the area's redwood forests and across from the Pacific Ocean at the Northwoods Inn.
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Crescent City Super 8 Motel
City Southside Near Whaler Island
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49 spacious rooms in a quiet, relaxed setting, some with harbor views. Walk across the street to explore the piers and interact with one of the coasts largest active fishing fleets.
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