The Northern California Camper. Daniel C. Merrill

that grow in this area. These are among the largest fir trees in the world and a magnificent stand of these ancient firs lie along the sides of the trail that circles Fish Lake. Finally, we go to Fish Lake to pick huckleberries. This is one of the prime areas for huckleberries in the world!

      While Fish Lake is only 7 miles from Highway 96 and the Klamath River, you enter a different world when you come to Fish Lake! In part, this is because of the elevation of this campground, its isolation from the highway and the fact that no one lives in this area. The campground has few visitors because most people who come to Bigfoot Country want to be closer to the great fishing that can be found in the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. Fishing, however, also is pretty good in Fish Lake. The lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout between April and October and Perch and Small Mouth Bass also inhabit the lake.

      Unfortunately, lily pads are taking over the lake and one cannot fish it from the shore. Therefore, bring a small boat or rubber raft if you plan to fish. Fish Lake is a small campground with only 24 campsites. Most of the campsites do not face the lake; rather the campsites are situated in the wooded areas, which surround the northern end of the lake. For the most part the campsites are completely isolated from each other; thus, even if the camp were full, it would not seem crowded. In any case, in all the years we have been coming to Fish Lake there has never been more than a few campers in the campground; thus, those who chose to visit Fish Lake will have this very special piece of paradise literally “all to themselves”.

      I would advice RVers and campers to park at the camp entrance and walk around the campground before choosing a campsite. The campsites are all a little different and it will be worth the effort to survey each one before settling in for the night. At present the only drinking water available is from the two facets located at the main entrance to the campground.

      Positives- unbelievably serene, never crowded, good fishing, beautiful isolated campsites Negatives- Limited water faucets How to get there- Drive north on Highway 96 from Weitchpec for 5.8 miles. Make a left on Fish Lake road and drive 7 miles to the lake. Fish Lake road is a one lane paved road. Except for several short rough areas the road is in excellent condition and wide enough that passing is not a problem. In any case, the road is little traveled and you are unlikely to meet a car.

      Local Attractions- None close to the campground Activities- fishing, hiking, huckleberry picking Do not miss this one!

      15 Jedediah Smith (from the Redwood Empire section)

      Rating- 10/10

      Campsites- 107, no hookups, RVs to 36 feet, open all year Water- yes Garbage disposal- yes Reservations- yes, [phone]

      Contact- California Department of Parks, [phone]

      Camp host- Park Rangers present Facilities- Each campsite has a picnic table, metal food cupboard and fire ring with grill. The wheelchair accessible restrooms have flush toilets and showers. The campground has a telephone and a dump station.

      Richardson’s Grove, in southern Humboldt County, and Jedediah Smith are the two flagships of the California State Park System. Of these two magnificent parks I prefer Jedediah Smith; first, because it is farther from the large metropolitan centers, and thus, apt to be less crowded, and second, because the Smith River is more beautiful than the Eel River. In this respect, the Smith River is the largest undammed river in California; it also has more water than any river in the area other than the Klamath. Furthermore, because of its rock-lined banks, it remains clear during the most ferocious winter storms when rivers like the Eel muddy up.

      The campground at Jedediah Smith is located in a forest of old growth redwoods in the middle and west end of the camp and giant Douglas fir in the eastern part of the campground. The campsites are extremely private since they are well separated and surrounded by large trees and beautiful huckleberry brush. Campsites 50 to 59 are located on the banks of the Smith River. These superb campsites have large paved parking pads, which are enclosed by attractive rock fences. Most of these parking areas are doublewide and will accommodate large rigs.

      This campground is extremely well maintained and its facilities are modern and very clean. The campground has the usual amphitheater, but its main attraction is the Smith River. Even in late fall this is a sizable stream with several nice swimming holes. In the winter this is an ideal place to fish for Salmon and steelhead. The Smith River has the largest steelhead in all of California. For example, in 30 years of fly-fishing on the Klamath River, the largest steelhead I have landed weighed only 7.5 pounds. On the Smith, where the average steelhead weighs around 12-15 pounds, this would be considered a small fish. Well that’s the good news. The bad news is that this is a very difficult river to fish and the fish are extremely hard to catch. Even if one is lucky enough to hook one of these monsters it is unlikely that he will be able to land it. Once one of these large fish get out in the current they are difficult to turn, to say the least. As a result, most fishermen rely on local guides who fish the lower sections of the river from a boat.

      This is a great area for hikers. Several trails begin at the campground and many more are to be found only a short distance from the campground. Maps and other pertinent information regarding the hiking opportunities in the area may be obtained at the visitor’s center and at the Smith River National Recreation Area Visitors Center’s office in Gasquet, about five miles north of the Park. Finally, this is a popular area for kayaking and canoeing in the spring.

      Positives- Simply the nicest campground in Northern California

      Negatives- none

      How to get there- From the junction of Highways 101 and 199, five miles north of Crescent City, take 199 east for four miles to the campground entrance.

      Local Attractions- The Smith River Activities- swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing

      15 Russian Gulch State Park (from the Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino section)

      Rating- 9/10

      Camp sites- 30, no hookups, RVs to 24 feet, open mid March to October

      Water- yes

      Garbage disposal- yes

      Reservations- yes, California department of Parks 1 [phone] or www.parks.ca.gov.

      Contact- Russian Gulch State Park [phone]

      Camp host- Yes, during summer, the campground is closed during the winter.

      Facilities- Each campsite has a picnic table, food cupboard and fire ring with grill. The restrooms have flush toilets and one has showers.

      This is a very popular campground and it is usually full during the busy summer months; thus, it would be wise to make a reservation if you plan to visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The campsites are situated on either side of Russian Gulch Creek and are reasonably well separated from each other; thus, the camp does not feel crowded even when full. The creek runs into the sandy beach of a beautiful sheltered cove. This is an ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking and abalone diving; however, the ocean water is cold along the Northern California coast at all times of the year and one should bring a wet suit if he plans to spend time in the water. There is much to do at Russian Gulch. During the summer one can catch perch along the beach and rock fishing is reasonably good from the ocean bluffs west of the campground. At low tide muscles, which provide the best bait for rockfish and perch, are plentiful below the bluffs.