North Fork Campground is a quiet, semi-shaded, remote campground bordered by
the North Fork of the Smith River. This is a perfect place to “get away from
it all” and to stay before rafting the Wild North Fork. The campground is also
popular with four-wheel-drive groups who enjoy driving the jeep trails and
back roads of the area.

The landscape surrounding the campground is dramatically steep and rocky. The
vegetation is sparse due to the serpentine soil which stunts plant growth. The
Biscuit Fire swept through the area in 2002, burning much of the vegetation in
the surrounding area.

Spring and early summer bring beautiful wildflowers to the area including the
fragrant western azalea and beautiful blue brodiaeas. The campground is within
the North Fork Smith River botanical area, which harbors many rare plants
adapted to the serpentine soil.

Access to the North Fork of the Smith River is ¼ mile west of the campground
at the North Fork river access (also known as Brown's Flat and Major Moore's).
There are some nice pools but the water is very chilly and the shoreline is
very cobbled except for a small patch of sand at the upstream end. It is a
good place to sit on a rock and soak your feet on a hot day.

Click on the "Photos and Multimedia" link on the right sidebar to view a photo
of the North Fork river access.

<p>North Fork Campground is a quiet, semi-shaded, remote campground bordered by the North Fork of the Smith River. This is a perfect place to “get away from it all” and to stay before rafting the Wild North Fork. The campground is also popular with four-wheel-drive groups who enjoy driving the jeep trails and back roads of the area.</p><p>The landscape surrounding the campground is dramatically steep and rocky. The vegetation is sparse due to the serpentine soil which stunts plant growth. The Biscuit Fire swept through the area in 2002, burning much of the vegetation in the surrounding area.</p><p>Spring and early summer bring beautiful wildflowers to the area including the fragrant western azalea and beautiful blue brodiaeas. The campground is within the North Fork Smith River botanical area, which harbors many rare plants adapted to the serpentine soil.</p><p>Access to the North Fork of the Smith River is ¼ mile west of the campground at the North Fork river access (also known as Brown's Flat and Major Moore's). There are some nice pools but the water is very chilly and the shoreline is very cobbled except for a small patch of sand at the upstream end. It is a good place to sit on a rock and soak your feet on a hot day.</p><p>Click on the "Photos and Multimedia" link on the right sidebar to view a photo of the North Fork river access.</p>

Bird's eye view of the campground

North Fork Campground

## Overview

Grassy Flat Campground borders California's northern Redwood Highway in the
expansive Six Rivers National Forest.  
  
This shady campground provides ample sightseeing and recreation opportunities
and is just steps away from the wild whitewater of the Smith River, which is
famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway through the forest.

## Recreation

Popular activities include swimming and sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the
Smith River, which is just steps from the campground. Anglers enjoy healthy
fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.  
  
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are
no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill
trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site.

## Facilities

The campground provides multiple single-family sites for tent or RV camping.
Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is
equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets
are provided. Water is not available at this facility.

## Natural Features

Grassy Flat is located in a Douglas fir and hardwood forest. Smith River
boasts up to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is
also freckled with huckleberry shrubs.  
  
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California,
stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the
famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The
Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.

## Nearby Attractions

Madrone Flat, located across the bridge, provides excellent river access.
Various state parks, providing scenic exploration opportunities, are just a
short drive from the campground.  
  
Annual events in the area include the Gasquet Raft Race in July and the Del
Norte County Fair in August. A small airport is about 6 miles away, in the
town of Gasquet.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Grassy Flat Campground borders California's northern Redwood Highway in the expansive Six Rivers National Forest. 
<br/><br/>
This shady campground provides ample sightseeing and recreation opportunities and is just steps away from the wild whitewater of the Smith River, which is famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway through the forest.
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Popular activities include swimming and sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River, which is just steps from the campground. Anglers enjoy healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.<br/> <br/>
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site.<h2>Facilities</h2>
The campground provides multiple single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Water is not available at this facility.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Grassy Flat is located in a Douglas fir and hardwood forest. Smith River boasts up to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is also freckled with huckleberry shrubs.
<br/><br/>
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Madrone Flat, located across the bridge, provides excellent river access. Various state parks, providing scenic exploration opportunities, are just a short drive from the campground.
<br/> <br/>
Annual events in the area include the Gasquet Raft Race in July and the Del Norte County Fair in August. A small airport is about 6 miles away, in the town of Gasquet.

Grassy Flat Campground

Road construction near our facility may cause slowdowns or traffic delays.
Please consider these conditions when planning your travel. To learn more,
visit this website _tinyurl.com/dnstaa_ and/or https://dot.ca.gov/travel for
status updates.

<p>Road construction near our facility may cause slowdowns or traffic delays. Please consider these conditions when planning your travel. To learn more, visit this website <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dnstaa" rel="nofollow"><em>tinyurl.com/dnstaa</em></a> and/or <a href="https://dot.ca.gov/travel" rel="nofollow">https://dot.ca.gov/travel </a>for status updates.</p>

## Overview

Patrick Creek Campground sits at the confluence of Patrick Creek and the
middle fork of Smith River in the vast Six Rivers National Forest of northern
California.  
  
The campground has a special charm, with steps, rock walls, restrooms and
sunken campfire circles built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

## Recreation

Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the
Smith River, which is just adjacent to the campground. Anglers can expect
healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.  
  
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are
no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill
trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site.

## Facilities

The campground offers multiple single-family accessible campsites, available
for tent and RV camping. Tables and campfire rings with grills are provided.
Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are also available.

## Natural Features

Patrick Creek is located in a mature forest of Douglas firs in the
northernmost part of California. A popular historic lodge and restaurant lie
just across the highway from the campground. The Six Rivers National Forest
lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the
Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway,"
parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of
the Redwood National Park.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Patrick Creek Campground sits at the confluence of Patrick Creek and the middle fork of Smith River in the vast Six Rivers National Forest of northern California. 
<br/><br/>
The campground has a special charm, with steps, rock walls, restrooms and sunken campfire circles built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River, which is just adjacent to the campground. Anglers can expect healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.
<br/> <br/>
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site.<h2>Facilities</h2>
The campground offers multiple single-family accessible campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Tables and campfire rings with grills are provided. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are also available.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Patrick Creek is located in a mature forest of Douglas firs in the northernmost part of California. A popular historic lodge and restaurant lie just across the highway from the campground.
  
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.

Patrick Creek Campground

Our facility is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the
water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.

Our facility is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.

## Overview

Panther Flat Campground sits in the vast Six Rivers National Forest in
northern California. This shady, secluded campground is just steps from the
Smith River, which is famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway
through the forest.

## Recreation

Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the
Smith River. Anglers enjoy healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead
and cutthroat trout.  
  
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are
no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill
trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site. A Botanical trail to a unique
Darlingtonia bog is just a mile away.

## Facilities

The campground offers multiple single-family sites and at least one double
site, available for tent and RV camping. It is one of the most modern
campgrounds in the area and has some of the largest parking aprons. Some sites
are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  
  
Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible
flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers and drinking water are provided. The
Visitor Center at the Gasquet Ranger Station provides free maps and brochures
of the area.

## Natural Features

Set in a mature forest of Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific madrone trees, the
campground is a short walk from the pristine Smith River. The river boasts up
to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is also
freckled with huckleberry shrubs.  
  
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California,
stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the
famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The
Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.

## Nearby Attractions

California's Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are within 20 miles
of the campground.  
  
Annual events include Gasquet Raft Race in July and Del Norte County Fair in
August.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Panther Flat Campground sits in the vast Six Rivers National Forest in northern California. This shady, secluded campground is just steps from the Smith River, which is famous for its bright blue waters and scenic pathway through the forest.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, rafting and fishing in the Smith River. Anglers enjoy healthy fishing populations of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.<br/> <br/>
Visitors also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking in the area. There are no trailheads in the campground, but Elk Camp Ridge, High Dome and French Hill trailheads are all within 10 miles of the site.  A Botanical trail to a unique Darlingtonia bog is just a mile away.
<h2>Facilities</h2>
The campground offers multiple single-family sites and at least one double site, available for tent and RV camping. It is one of the most modern campgrounds in the area and has some of the largest parking aprons. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
<br/> <br/>
Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers and drinking water are provided. The Visitor Center at the Gasquet Ranger Station provides free maps and brochures of the area.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Set in a mature forest of Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific madrone trees, the campground is a short walk from the pristine Smith River. The river boasts up to Class 5 whitewater rapids. The region, thick with vegetation, is also freckled with huckleberry shrubs.
<br/><br/>
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
California's Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are within 20 miles of the campground. 
<br/> <br/>
Annual events include Gasquet Raft Race in July and Del Norte County Fair in August.

Smith River

PANTHER FLAT CAMPGROUND

Smith River and rocky surroundings

Panther Flat Campground

## Overview

On a high, narrow mountain ridge at 5,280 feet, Bear Basin Lookout and Pierson
Cabin offer visitors an awe-inspiring experience and a quiet haven away from
crowds. Excellent views of the Siskiyou Wilderness to the east and the Pacific
Ocean to the west are why visitors love staying in the heart of the Six Rivers
National Forest of northern California.  
  
The current lookout building was previously situated at Camp Six, where it was
used to spot forest fires. That structure was moved from Camp Six to Bear
Basin Butte in 1996. The original Bear Basin Butte lookout existed in the
1930s.  
  
During the summer and early fall months (July 1 - September 30), the rental
includes both the lookout tower and a modern 1930s-style cabin built in the
1990s.  
  
This is a remote location. Access to the cabin is variable and the road is not
maintained for winter use. High-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are
recommended, and guests are also advised to carry chains and a shovel. Guests
should note that even during the summer, the paved portion of the road (South
Fork Road) frequently has numerous rocks and debris. The last half mile of the
access is on a steep gravel road. Quality tires and high-clearance vehicles
are recommended. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and
safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

## Recreation

Bird watching is available, as well as great hiking opportunities in the
nearby Siskiyou Wilderness. Please don't forget to pick up a Siskiyou
Wilderness Map at your nearest Forest Service Visitor Center or local outdoor
store before venturing into the wilderness. Horseback riding trails may be
accessed nearby, and wildlife viewers may catch a glimpse of deer or bears,
which make their home in the area.

## Facilities

The lookout and cabin can accommodate up to eight guests, but up to 12 guests
are permitted for an extra fee. The cabin has an entry room with a countertop
suitable for organizing supplies and preparing food. Three double beds are
provided (one of which is a bunk above the other) in the cabin and a futon in
the lookout. The cabin also has a four-seat dining table, three chairs, a
bench, a book case, and a wood-burning stove (firewood is provided).  
  
Board games and various books may be available for use. A vault toilet, picnic
tables and a campfire ring are outside. No water or electricity is available.
Guests should bring plenty of water, food, bedding, flashlights and other
basic camp gear (click here for more cabin details).

## Nearby Attractions

The Smith River National Recreation Area Visitor Center is about 21 miles, or
roughly one hour by vehicle, from the lookout.  
  
Doe Flat and Island Lake Trailheads, which access the Siskiyou Wilderness, are
within three miles of the lookout.

<h2>Overview</h2>
On a high, narrow mountain ridge at 5,280 feet, Bear Basin Lookout and Pierson Cabin offer visitors an awe-inspiring experience and a quiet haven away from crowds. Excellent views of the Siskiyou Wilderness to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west are why visitors love staying in the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest of northern California. 
<br/><br/>
The current lookout building was previously situated at Camp Six, where it was used to spot forest fires. That structure was moved from Camp Six to Bear Basin Butte in 1996. The original Bear Basin Butte lookout existed in the 1930s. 
<br/><br/>
During the summer and early fall months (July 1 - September 30), the rental includes both the lookout tower and a modern 1930s-style cabin built in the 1990s. 
<br/><br/>
This is a remote location. Access to the cabin is variable and the road is not maintained for winter use. High-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, and guests are also advised to carry chains and a shovel. Guests should note that even during the summer, the paved portion of the road (South Fork Road) frequently has numerous rocks and debris. The last half mile of the access is on a steep gravel road. Quality tires and high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Bird watching is available, as well as great hiking opportunities in the nearby Siskiyou Wilderness. Please don't forget to pick up a Siskiyou Wilderness Map at your nearest Forest Service Visitor Center or local outdoor store before venturing into the wilderness. Horseback riding trails may be accessed nearby, and wildlife viewers may catch a glimpse of deer or bears, which make their home in the area.<h2>Facilities</h2>
The lookout and cabin can accommodate up to eight guests, but up to 12 guests are permitted for an extra fee. The cabin has an entry room with a countertop suitable for organizing supplies and preparing food. Three double beds are provided (one of which is a bunk above the other) in the cabin and a futon in the lookout. The cabin also has a four-seat dining table, three chairs, a bench, a book case, and a wood-burning stove (firewood is provided).
<br/><br/>
Board games and various books may be available for use. A vault toilet, picnic tables and a campfire ring are outside. No water or electricity is available. Guests should bring plenty of water, food, bedding, flashlights and other basic camp gear (<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/srnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=11447&actid=101" rel="nofollow">click here for more cabin details</a>).
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The Smith River National Recreation Area Visitor Center is about 21 miles, or roughly one hour by vehicle, from the lookout. 
<br/><br/>
Doe Flat and Island Lake Trailheads, which access the Siskiyou Wilderness, are within three miles of the lookout.

Reservations must be made at least 3 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made
up to 6 Month(s) in advance. The lookout and cabin, rented as a pair, may be
reserved for one to four nights between July 1 and September 30. The rental
rate is $75 per night for one to eight people and $5 per night for each
additional person, up to a maximum of 12 people.

North Fork Campground

Directions

Reviews

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Grassy Flat Campground

Patrick Creek Campground

Panther Flat Campground

Bear Basin Lookout And Cabin