California whitewater, Smith River - South Fork Del Norte county, Big Flat Campground to confluence with Middle Fork section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-V     13 miles   If you have paddled the Smith yet do it. The South Fork Gorge is a great class 4 section that's about a mile. It's committing and hard to road scout. If you boat this stretch for the first time without someone who is familiar with the run I suggest scouting at least the 3 major horizon line. There is a macking hole on river right and at certain flows a great boof on the left. Says Nor-cal boater If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking     outside California you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so keep in mind that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. The Big Flat Campground to confluence with Middle Fork stretch of Smith River - South Fork in California is 13 miles long and is a class III-V section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Crescent City North, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. The nature scenery of Del Norte County and the cool fresh water are reasons enough to come here and paddle. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but   you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Great exercise and spending some quality time in nature have people coming from far and near. There are plenty of other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking there are not so many other good spots for that around here. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. This stretch has enough mileage for an overnight trip, so why not pack your camp stove too. The Coast Ranges scenery is wonderful. Briefly about the general area: Hiking along the Paradise Trail is glorious fun, and nothing beats kicking back at Wilson Creek Beach. Smith River - South Fork, Big Flat Campground to confluence with Middle Fork road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Smith River - South Fork.   Whitewater Near Smith River - South Fork: Smith River - South Fork, Del Norte County, 5 miles away       Class III-V - 13 miles long (Big Flat Campground to confluence with Middle Fork) Goose Creek, Del Norte County, 8 miles away       Class V - 5.6 miles long (Saddle Road to South Fork Smith confluence) Hurdygurdy Creek, Del Norte County, 11 miles away       Class V - 7.7 miles long (Bear Basin Road to Big Flat Road) Smith River - North Fork, Del Norte County, 12 miles away       Class III-V - 13 miles long (Low Divide Road to Gasquet) Smith River - Middle Fork, Del Norte County, 18 miles away       Class II-V - 22 miles long (6 Miles Above Patrick Creek to South Fork Road) Trace Creek, Siskiyou County, 26 miles away       Class IV-V - 7 miles long (Bear Pen Creek to Klamath River)   Ski Areas Near Smith River - South Fork: Mt. Ashland, Oregon , 90 miles away, 1195 foot drop, 4 lifts, 23 runs   Marinas Near Smith River - South Fork: Crescent City Harbor District, Crescent City , 13 miles away   Beaches Near Smith River - South Fork: Wilson Creek Beach, Del Norte , 10 miles away Crescent Beach, Del Norte , 11 miles away Pebble Beach, Del Norte , 16 miles away Kellogg Road Beach, Del Norte , 17 miles away Gold Bluffs Beach, Humboldt , 19 miles away   Hotels Near Smith River - South Fork: Holiday Inn Express KLAMATH - REDWOOD NTL PK AREA, Klamath , 11 miles away Super 8 Crescent City, Crescent City , 13 miles away Ocean View Inn And Suites, Crescent City , 13 miles away Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn, Crescent City , 13 miles away Quality Inn & Suites Redwood Coast, Crescent City , 13 miles away   Campgrounds Near Smith River - South Fork: Redwood National Park - Little Bald Hills Horse Camp, Crescent City, 4 miles away Hiouchi Hamlet RV Resort, Crescent City, 6 miles away Big Flat Campground, Del Norte County, 6 miles away   Trails Near Smith River - South Fork: Paradise Trail, Del Norte , 0 miles away, 7.6 hiking miles, 1561 feet elevation difference French Hill Trail, Del Norte , 5 miles away, 2.2 hiking miles, 2021 feet elevation difference Elk Camp Ridge Trail, Del Norte , 12 miles away, 8.7 hiking miles, 2616 feet elevation difference Summit Valley Trail, Del Norte , 13 miles away,  14.8 hiking miles, 3955 feet elevation difference Packsaddle Trail, Curry , 15 miles away, 2.4 hiking miles, 1548 feet elevation difference Hope Creek Trail, Humboldt , 16 miles away, 2.6 hiking miles, 500 feet elevation difference Crea Trail, Humboldt , 18 miles away, 3.1 hiking miles, 688 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Smith River - South Fork: Redwood National and State Parks, Crescent City - CA , 12 miles away Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction - OR , 33 miles away Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California , 8 miles away Six Rivers National Forest, California , 9 miles away Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, California , 10 miles away   Golf Courses Near Smith River - South Fork: Del Norte Golf Course, Crescent City , 9 miles away Kings Valley Golf Course, Crescent City , 11 miles away Elk Valley Rancheria, Crescent City , 14 miles away   Lakes Near Smith River - South Fork Dry Lake, Del Norte , 8 miles away