Smith River National Recreation Area

Smith River National Recreation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location	Del Norte County, California, United States
Nearest city	Crescent City, California
Coordinates	41°55′00″N 123°52′00″W / 41.91667°N 123.86667°W / 41.91667; -123.86667Coordinates: 41°55′00″N 123°52′00″W / 41.91667°N 123.86667°W / 41.91667; -123.86667
Area	305,169 acres (1,235 km2)
Established	November 16, 1990
Governing body	United States Forest Service
Website	Smith River National Recreation Area

Smith River National Recreation Area is located northwestern California, United States. The Smith River National Recreation Area is in Six Rivers National Forest and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Created by Congress in 1990, Smith River National Recreation Area forms a northern border to Redwood National and State Parks.

The Coast Ranges and the Smith River, the longest National Wild and Scenic River in the U.S., offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Smith River National Recreation Area has five campgrounds located near major streams and along the Smith River. The recreation area is considered one of the best fishing regions in the U.S. and Rafting is available. Most hiking trails are accessible year-round, but all activities may be greatly affected by heavy rain that swells creeks and rivers.

The region receives over 90 in (2,300 mm) of rainfall annually, with the greatest amounts in the winter. Summers may be foggy as moisture laden clouds rise up the Coast Range mountains from the Pacific Ocean.

Trophy sized steelhead, chinook salmon and other game fish species have led to this area being considered one of the best fishing regions in the United States. Port Orford cedars are native to this area as the tree’s range extends about 50 miles (80 km) inland from the coast around Coos Bay, Oregon, to the mouth of the Mad River near Arcata. To prevent the spread of a root disease caused by the pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis, forest roads and campgrounds may be closed during the rainy season when there is the most opportunities for contaminated soil to be spread around. The spores that live in water and wet soil can be introduced by vehicles, animals and people traveling from infected areas.