Smith River National Recreation Area

Crescent City, California · Six Rivers National Forest

Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: river
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $5
SEASON: Best in summer

About Smith River National Recreation Area

The Smith River National Recreation Area, managed by Six Rivers National Forest near Gasquet, California, protects the Smith River, California's only major undammed free-flowing river. The area contains numerous swimming hole access points along the river's main stem and forks, and the cold, exceptionally clear, green-tinted water makes this a prized river to swim in.

The NRA spans forested canyons of the Smith River and its Middle, South, and North Forks near the town of Gasquet, close to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and the California-Oregon border. Access points are strung along Highway 199 and North Bank/South Fork Roads, ranging from paved roadside pulloffs to short trails down rocky embankments to the river.

Swimming at Smith River National Recreation Area

Swimming spots throughout the NRA are known for cold, crystal-clear, green-tinted water in broad calm pools well suited to swimming, floating, and paddleboarding, with several spots (Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge, Myrtle Beach, Craig's Beach) offering deep water and cliff/rock jumping, while others (Middle Fork Gorge) are shallow and better for wading. Popular named holes include Myrtle Beach, The Forks, Craig's Beach, Sandy Beach, and the pool near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park's 'jumping rock.'

How to get to this swimming hole

Access points are reached off Highway 199 and North Bank Road (Highway 197) between Crescent City and Gasquet, and off South Fork Road for the Middle/South Fork holes; e.g. Myrtle Beach parking is at the Highway 199/South Fork Road junction, 7.1 miles east of Highway 101/199 and 7.3 miles west of the Gasquet visitor center, followed by a roughly half-mile trail with about 100 feet of descent.

Parking: Varies by access point: paved lots exist at Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Ruby Van Deventer County Park, Myrtle Beach, and The Forks; some spots (Middle Fork Gorge) require high-clearance/4x4 vehicles; roadside pullouts along Highway 197 offer limited, informal parking.

The hike in

Myrtle Beach Trail (short access trail, one of several NRA access points)

To the water: 0.25 mi one-way (0.5 mi round trip)
Time on foot: about 15-30 minutes round trip

Difficulty: easy, described as 'mostly easy but a bit rocky and slippery in a couple of places'

Trailhead: For Myrtle Beach specifically: large parking lot at the Highway 199 / South Fork Road junction, 7.1 miles east of the Highway 101/199 junction near Crescent City and 7.3 miles west of the Gasquet visitor center.

Short standalone access trail down to the river, not part of a longer through-trail; about 100 ft of elevation loss over the quarter-mile descent.

This is the hike for the Myrtle Beach access point; other access points within the NRA (Sandy Beach, Mary Adams Bridge, The Forks, Craig's Beach) are similarly short walks of a few minutes from their own parking areas rather than true hikes.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Varies by access point within the NRA. Best for kids: Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge (deep proper swimming hole with a pebble beach) and Craig's Beach (shallow water below the main hole good for little ones to play). Middle Fork Gorge is shallow and good for wading. Less suited to young kids: The Forks' right-side jumping-rock area, and Myrtle Beach's steep rocky descent; Craig's Beach also has dangerous rapids just downstream of the swimming area. No lifeguards at any access point.

Parking

Free

Varies by spot: paved lots at Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge, Myrtle Beach (large lot at the Highway 199/South Fork Road junction), The Forks, Craig's Beach, and Sandy Beach (roadside pulloff) are free. Ruby Van Deventer County Park charges $5 day-use. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park charges an $8 vehicle day-use fee. Middle Fork Gorge and the 'Just Over Bridge' spot have informal/limited dirt-road or roadside parking (2-3 cars at some pullouts); Middle Fork Gorge access may require high-clearance/4x4.

Restrooms

Yes

Present at some but not all access points: vault/pit toilets at Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge, The Forks, Craig's Beach, and along the Myrtle Beach trail (about halfway down, on the left); Sandy Beach also has toilets. No restrooms at Middle Fork Gorge or Ruby Van Deventer County Park. Potable water and restroom info are not tracked for the NRA as a whole by the Forest Service page itself.

Water clarity

Clear

Consistently described across sources as cold, crystal-clear, emerald/green-tinted water throughout the NRA's access points, owing to the Smith River being California's only major undammed free-flowing river.

Hours

The NRA itself (national forest land) has no gate or set hours. Gasquet Ranger Station office hours are 8am-4:30pm, seven days a week including federal holidays (707-457-3131). Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park day-use is open year-round, sunrise to sunset, $8 vehicle fee.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboards

US Forest Service lists 'Boating - Non-Motorized' and swimming as designated activities for the NRA. First-hand accounts note paddleboarding and kayaking are common in the calmer, deeper pools: 'Just Over Bridge' has a large rock area popular for launching kayaks/paddleboards, The Forks is well suited to paddleboarding with boat-ramp access allowing paddling up both forks, and tubes/floats are used at Myrtle Beach. No official non-motorized-only or no-wake signage was found in this pass; given the shallow, rocky, rapids-interrupted character of the river through the NRA, motorboat use is not indicated as practical or permitted at these access points.

Smith River National Recreation Area: FAQ

Does Smith River National Recreation Area charge a fee?

Most river access points are free. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park charges a day-use fee (National Parks pass accepted). Ruby Van Deventer County Park charges $5 day-use / $20 camping.

Is Smith River National Recreation Area kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Smith River National Recreation Area?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Smith River National Recreation Area?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Smith River National Recreation Area?

When is the best time to visit Smith River National Recreation Area?

Summer, when water temperatures and low flows make swimming most comfortable; the rainy season runs roughly October through April with heavy rainfall (avg. 92.55 inches/year) and occasional winter snow.

What are the rules at Smith River National Recreation Area?

No river-wide swim ban or lifeguard service found; a sign at Ruby Van Deventer County Park states 'no toilets, no trash, nothing is free.' Cliff/bridge jumping is described as dangerous and illegal from the South Fork Road bridge near Myrtle Beach.

Conditions right now

Checking the forecast…

Live data from the National Weather Service and USGS. Conditions at the water can differ, use your judgment.

Loading map…

Get directions

Managed by

Six Rivers National Forest

Official site · U.S. Forest Service

At a glance

Land access: Open to the public
Facilities: vault or pit toilets (at some access points: Mary Adams Peacock Memorial Bridge, The Forks, Craig's Beach, Myrtle Beach); picnic areas (at some access points); trash service (at some access points); camping nearby (Ruby Van Deventer County Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Panther Flat Campground)
Highlights: Only major undammed, naturally flowing river in California; Exceptionally clear, green-tinted water; Multiple distinct named swimming holes within one recreation area (Myrtle Beach, The Forks, Craig's Beach, Sandy Beach, Ruby Van Deventer); Cliff-jumping rock formations at several holes
Nearby towns: French Hill (3.2mi); Adams Station (4.6mi); Darlingtonia (5.2mi); Gasquet (5.4mi)
Coordinates: 41.7789, -123.8969