The Smith River drains the western slopes of the jagged Siskiyou Mountains in the far northwestern corner of California. It is the last great free-flowing California river and these densely forested river canyons are designated as a National Recreation Area. It is easy to spend four or even five days rafting and enjoying this wonderful area. A unique river, that few people get to see due to its remoteness and short season. Once seen however, it’s the kind of river that attracts those lucky few back, again and again.
The North Fork Smith is a beautiful, pristine 13-mile wilderness run, with dozens of Class 3 and 4 rapids and incredibly clear, clean water. There is unique plant-life with lacy Port-Orford cedar, orchids, pitcher plants, azaleas and wild flowers - many of them endangered species. When the weather permits, the night is spent camping in the North Fork canyon. In this case, the run continues down from the confluence of the North and Middle Forks, on the main Smith for another nearly eight miles. Though Highway 199 follows the river for most of this section, the scenery is still beautiful. After six miles of action packed Class 3 rapids the river enters the narrow, steep-walled Oregon Hole Gorge, an optional Class 5 section.
The South Fork Smith offers nearly 12 miles of exhilarating Class 3 pool and drop white water and the mile long South Fork Gorge, another optional Class 5 section. Though not as pristine as the untouched North Fork Smith, the South Fork still provides excellent scenery with Douglas fir, Port-Orford cedar and some redwoods. The wildlife you might see are black-tailed deer, otters, bald-eagles and black bear. The coastal rains encourage the growth of moss and ferns which cover the walls of the gorge, along with Alder, Ash, Maple and Myrtle.
The Middle Fork Smith can provide an additional eight miles of Class 3-4 whitewater on its upper reaches. However, man has left his mark on this section and the concrete ruins of bridges and roadway destroyed in the floods of 1964 are evident.
Camping is possible among the old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park, or at several Forest Service campgrounds along the Middle Fork Smith east of Gasquet. Accommodations can be found in Gasquet at a motel or at The Patrick Creek Resort and Historical Inn, which also offers fine dining. Transportation from the airports in either Crescent City or Medford may be possible.
Trip Details
Duration
2-4 Days
Location
Smith River
Season
March to May (Dependent on Rainfall)
Trip Type
Paddle
Nearest City
Crescent City, CA
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
California, United States
Rated Classes
III-V
Distance Traveled
Up to 50 Miles
Rates
$420.00 - $560.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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