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Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/30 Established in 1929, this 10,000 acre predominately old growth coast redwoods park is bisected by the last major free flowing river in California Smith River. This is a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Almost all of the park land is water shed for the Smith River and Mill Creek, a major tributary. Conifers other than redwoods include western hemlock, Sitka spruce, grand and Douglas fir, as well as the less common Port Orford cedar. Primary examples of the understory include tanoak, madrone, red alder, big l and vine maple, and California bay. Ground cover is dense with a wide range of species and varieties of shrubs, bushes, flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens common to the coast redwood environment. Wildlife of the park is both abundant and varied including such animals as black bear, deer, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, skunks, fox, beaver, river otter, squirrels, chipmunks and many others. Some of the rare or uncommon examples of bird life identified include the bald eagle, spotted owl, pileat woodpecker and marbled murrelet. The Smith River and Mill Creek are especially known for the king salmon and steelhead trout runs in the fall an winter. Mill Creek is a spawning ground for these fish. The park is named after the intrepid explorer, Jedediah Stong Smith who was the first white man to explore the interior of northern California. His journey through the coast redwood belt was part of a remarkable two- year trapping expedition which began in 1826. Smith pioneered a trail southwest from the Great Salt Lake across the Mojave Desert through the San Bernadino Mountains into California. Discovery of gold along the Sacramento and Trinity Rivers in the mid- 1800's drew many thousands to northern California. The need for a supply route to remote mining camps initiated a spurt of exploration that motivated settlement of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Check the State Parks website for additional information on the weather, suggested day hikes, or to see the park brochure, campground map, park photos, video, and more. Information available will vary from park to park. Click here Park Kiosk Hours: Hi Season: 8am - 10pm Lo Season: Varies |
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Discount Pass must be presented at the time of check in. Your DMV Disabled Placard/License Plate does not automatically give you a discount on your campsite. You will need to obtain a CA State park-issued Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veterans Pass (DVP). Individual campsites - Maximum allowable stay is thirty (30) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than fifteen (15) of these nights permitted during the summer season (May 1 through September 30). Group and Environmental campsites - Maximum allowable stay is fourteen (14) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than seven (7) nights of consecutive use per visit. After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached, no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours). Jedediah Smith is site specific you will select your site at the time you make your reservation. Fees include entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle or trailer, additional vehicles will be charged per night at the park. Although your site may hold 2 or more vehicles, your reservation only covers 1 vehicle (except for group or specialty sites). Family sites maximum 8 people, 2 vehicles. Maximum RV for campground = 36 feet. Family Sites: Reservations available May 15 through September 30; 1st-1st when not on reservations Cabins: Reservations available All Year |