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Special Places
Botanical Areas
Six Rivers National Forest is home to many beautiful botanical areas. These areas, containing rare and endangered plants and flowers, are protected. Please respect these areas during your visit....View Information on Botanical Areas
Salmon National Wild and Scenic River
The entire Salmon River system with it North and South Forks were designated a Scenic River and Recreational River within the National Wild & Scenic River System in 1981. Experience More....
Highlighted Areas
Siskiyou Wilderness
The forested mountains, valleys and meadows of the Siskiyou Wilderness in Del Norte, Humboldt and Siskiyou counties of northwestern California offer vistas of incredible beauty, diverse scenery and limitless opportunities for solitude.
The Wilderness, named for the mountains that cross it, is administered by three national forests: Six Rivers, Klamath and Siskiyou.
Rain falling in the Siskiyou Wilderness (from 40" on lower eastern slopes to 200" on the high western slopes) drains into three watersheds: the Smith, Klamath, and Illinois Rivers. The Siskiyou Wilderness is unique in that some parts can be accessed year round in the lower elevations, providing opportunities for recreation not found elsewhere. July through mid-October is the best time to travel in the wilderness, although severe weather can occur in any month. Access to some trails may be restricted to summer months because of snow and/or seasonal road closures to prevent the spread of Port-Orford-cedar root disease. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s.
Smith River National Recreation Area
Recreational activities abound in the Smith River National Recreation Area or NRA. 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.
Winter temperatures drop into the 40s and 50s, with an occasional snow storm. The rainy season normally runs from October through April with an average annual rainfall of 92.55 inches. Summers are dry with highs in the 80-100°F degree range. Contact the NRA Headquarters at the Gasquet Ranger Station for current weather conditions.
- Smith River NRA Map & Guide, rev. 1/2019 – PDF
- Companion Map to the Smith River NRA Map & Guide, rev. 1/2019 – PDF
- Camping Guide - Smith River NRA, rev. 4/2015 – PDF
- Campsite Spur Dimensions - Smith River NRA, rev. 1/2015 – PDF
- Trail Guide - Smith River NRA, rev. 2-2002 – PDF
- River Access Trails - Smith River NRA, rev. 8/2014 – PDF
- River Access Trails - Smith River NRA, rev. 8/2014 – Word
- Lakes - Smith River NRA, rev. 3/2003 – PDF
- Things to Do in an Hour or Two - Smith River NRA, rev. 2/2003 – PDF
- Darlingtonia Trail - Smith River NRA, rev. 3/2003 – PDF
- Myrtle Creek Trail - Smith River NRA, rev. 2/2000 – PDF
- Bear Basin Lookout and Pierson Cabin Brochure, rev. 2/2015 – PDF
- Fish of the Smith River, rev. 12/2002 – PDF