Smith River National Recreation Area

The Smith River National Recreation Area has botanical areas, hiking trails, swimming and is the primary access to the Siskiyou Wilderness. The water clarity of the river is legendary and makes it easy to understand why many claim the Smith River to have the cleanest watershed in the lower 48 states.

Swimming is one of the most memorable summer experiences the river has to offer to visitors. Before swimming in the river, be aware that there are deep pools sometimes 20-30 feet deep with currents that can easily and quickly carry swimmers away from shore. If you have children or do not have good swimming skills, you may want to consider using the Jedediah Smith State Park day use area where a beach and a gradually deepening bottom offers safer swimming opportunities. No life guard services are offered at swimming access points along the river. All visitors should be aware of river safety issues and be prepared for safe swimming no matter where they enter the water in the Smith River or other rivers along the Highway 199 travel corridor.

The Smith River has two exceptional botanical hikes. The Darlingtonia Trail is a wheelchair accessible loop trail to a bog where the insectivorous darlingtonia pitcher plant grows. The trail meanders through a forest of plants growing in a serpentine area and the vegetation found here is dramatically different than what is seen along the verdant Myrtle Creek Botanical Trail. This trail involves a short uphill hike to where it turns to follow a historic mining ditch, an almost level trail for about half a mile where it ends at Myrtle Creek. Interpretive signs along the way tell you about the plants and mining history of the area. A hike on these two trials and a hike on a trail in the redwood rainforest will help you to understand why the Highway 199 corridor is considered one of the most botanically diverse highways on the west coast.

Other Points of Interest

Stoney Creek Trail Patrick Creek Accessible Trail Historic Patrick Creek Lodge Gasquet Ranger Station

Knopki Creek Scenic Backcountry Drive Old Redwood Highway Backcountry Drive

Historic Road and Trails Backcountry Loop Drive

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...