REDWOODS BY RIVER

PADDLE A CLEAR TURQUOISE RIVER THROUGH ANCIENT REDWOODS

This incredibly scenic, easy float is perfect for everyone! Families, couples, first-time kayakers, school groups and old-timers will all love floating through the redwoods and marveling at their full 300+-foot grandeur, while gliding across the sparkling water of the Smith, one of the world’s cleanest rivers.

Choose a half-day float and leave at the morning or afternoon departure times, or spend the whole day on the river for the full-day float leaving at the morning departure time! River rafting northern California is a great way to spend a day out in nature!

HALF-DAY ADVENTURE

#1 – The upper section float (9 a.m. 10 a.m) shows paddlers the high-walled gorge of the Middle Fork Smith, the transition to the redwood forest and a half-mile side hike to Stout Grove, the world’s most scenic redwood grove.

#2 – The lower section float (1 p.m. 2 p.m.) is more remote and has a few more rapids while still passing through ancient redwoods.

To see both sections and enjoy a catered riverside picnic lunch, book a full-day trip!

FULL-DAY ADVENTURE

9:30 a.m. departure: Spend an entire day paddling through old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, which includes some of the largest trees in the world and some of the most scenic parts of Redwood National Park.

The full-day tour starts on the Middle Fork Smith and quickly enters a high-walled gorge before meeting the confluence with the South Fork Smith, doubling the river in size. Meandering down the first mile of the river, you pass a covered bridge and watch the forest slowly transition from rocky serpentine soils to old-growth redwoods. Breaking from paddling, we take a fantastic half-mile side-hike to Stout Grove, dubbed “the world’s most scenic stand of redwoods.”

Below the grove, more scenic redwood paddling takes kayakers past Jed Smith campground, the halfway point of our trip. We’ll relax on a sunny beach and enjoy our organic picnic lunch. Then we’ll paddle into forested seclusion to finish off the day with some whitewater on a fun stretch of beautiful pools and small rapids.