Читать книгу The Northern California Camper - Daniel C Merrill - Страница 6

Rating- 10/10

Campsites- 107, no hookups, RVs to 36 feet, open all year Water- yes Garbage disposal- yes Reservations- yes, (800) 444-7275

Contact- California Department of Parks, (707) 464-9533

Camp host- Park Rangers present Facilities- Each campsite has a picnic table, metal food cupboard and fire ring with grill. The wheelchair accessible restrooms have flush toilets and showers. The campground has a telephone and a dump station.

Richardson’s Grove, in southern Humboldt County, and Jedediah Smith are the two flagships of the California State Park System. Of these two magnificent parks I prefer Jedediah Smith; first, because it is farther from the large metropolitan centers, and thus, apt to be less crowded, and second, because the Smith River is more beautiful than the Eel River. In this respect, the Smith River is the largest undammed river in California; it also has more water than any river in the area other than the Klamath. Furthermore, because of its rock-lined banks, it remains clear during the most ferocious winter storms when rivers like the Eel muddy up.

The campground at Jedediah Smith is located in a forest of old growth redwoods in the middle and west end of the camp and giant Douglas fir in the eastern part of the campground. The campsites are extremely private since they are well separated and surrounded by large trees and beautiful huckleberry brush. Campsites 50 to 59 are located on the banks of the Smith River. These superb campsites have large paved parking pads, which are enclosed by attractive rock fences. Most of these parking areas are doublewide and will accommodate large rigs.

This campground is extremely well maintained and its facilities are modern and very clean. The campground has the usual amphitheater, but its main attraction is the Smith River. Even in late fall this is a sizable stream with several nice swimming holes. In the winter this is an ideal place to fish for Salmon and steelhead. The Smith River has the largest steelhead in all of California. For example, in 30 years of fly-fishing on the Klamath River, the largest steelhead I have landed weighed only 7.5 pounds. On the Smith, where the average steelhead weighs around 12-15 pounds, this would be considered a small fish. Well that’s the good news. The bad news is that this is a very difficult river to fish and the fish are extremely hard to catch. Even if one is lucky enough to hook one of these monsters it is unlikely that he will be able to land it. Once one of these large fish get out in the current they are difficult to turn, to say the least. As a result, most fishermen rely on local guides who fish the lower sections of the river from a boat.

This is a great area for hikers. Several trails begin at the campground and many more are to be found only a short distance from the campground. Maps and other pertinent information regarding the hiking opportunities in the area may be obtained at the visitor’s center and at the Smith River National Recreation Area Visitors Center’s office in Gasquet, about five miles north of the Park. Finally, this is a popular area for kayaking and canoeing in the spring.

Positives- Simply the nicest campground in Northern California

Negatives- none

How to get there- From the junction of Highways 101 and 199, five miles north of Crescent City, take 199 east for four miles to the campground entrance.

Local Attractions- The Smith River Activities- swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing