532ritas
We go there every summer to swim, my friends go fishing there all the time. It's beautiful, very long river with lots of tucked away places to canoe and picnic. People river raft down it and kayak too. This is a beautiful super clean and clear river. It goes right by Jed Smith park and a few other state beaches. Worth seeing and my kids love to swim there, but the water is cold!
SharyceBracewell
So beautiful the first spot is the best and most secluded!! Clearest river ever! Go early to get best spot take a picnic or small bbq and stay all day its worth the hour drive, from Grants Pass
LisaTarragona
This river is fantastic for floating, swimming, walking along or just sitting on the banks and enjoying. There are lots of swimming holes and lots of places for both tranquil floats and fast paced rapids. Myrtle beach is gorgeous, but there tend to be a lot of people there.
Epicurrent
the last wild, undammed river in California and one of the best swimming rivers on Earth. go to the south fork via Smith grove enjoy the clean ample water any time of year
piratejani
There is nothing there. You have a pristine river with difficult access and questonable eateries. The atmosphere is questionable.
401DeniseB
Pristine is how I will always remember this river which touts being the cleanest river in the US and I can believe after standing in it and being able to see straight to the bottom! Unparalled in river enjoyment!
CraigB307
The only river on the west coast of America that has no mud. It is a pristine wild and scenic river. A purely granite riverine system, its water is the highest quality you will experience. Beautiful beyond words. Courses through the most extraordinary Redwood forests in the world.
MistyForest
The Smith River is the best river in California, if we can stop the stupid lily farmers from putting so many pesticides on the lily flowers that leach into the Smith River, and if we can keep them from logging many old growth redwoods for larger trucks. Just stop it all, as this Smith River is worth saving while the rest of the planet gets destroyed by progress. Enough is enough. This is pristine old growth forest land and the Smith River is the only river not being sucked to other places. These harmful elements need to be eliminated to keep at least one river from being destroyed. I take this harmful activity personally, as I feel this area belongs to the people of California and Southern Oregon who love the Smith River as much as I do, and to all people who visit from all over the world surely agree it is their river too. The old growth redwoods are everywhere here and so wonderful to behold. I am so missing a visit to Jedediah Smith State Park to swim in the cold and refreshing Smith River and it has been so busy that I have not been able to go up there for a while. Well, enough of this good review, or it will be too crowded with tourists.
cookiebstrd
there be gold in dem der hills if you know how to find it.
rraschio
If your in Southern Oregon traveling south to California and you have some time, Take off through Grants Pass Oregon and head to Cresent City California. You will follow the Smith River. This river is a beautiful emerald green and flows through some rugged canyons. You can play, fish, camp and check out some gold mines along the way. There is one small motel along the route, Pats Acres, and a couple of camp sites. You also have Jedidiyah Smith park and Amelia Erhart park on the drive with some beautiful redwoods.
wimerite
Go in early summer when the snow melt is filling the river. The water is so crystal clear and the most amazing blue water that it looks like someone added coloring to it. Love this area. Great white water if your are and experienced paddler.
sp4301
The Smith River is the clearest, most beautiful scenic river I know of. It is worth the winding drive for the views, fishing and swimming. As a bonus it is only a few miles from the Southern Oregon Coast...even more of natures beauty!
Lisa_and_Brad57
Many great views of the river along this family drive. The Patrick's Creek Restaurant was a great balance of atmosphere, view, food & price. Many times we have order saute`ed mushrooms and a bottle of wine and dined by the creek. I can't recommend spending the night ot the inn.