Myrtle Beach - Smith River National Wild and Scenic River

Leaving the Stout Memorial Grove on our August 2013 visit to Redwood National and State Parks in northwest California, we continued east on Howland Hill Road.  The road name changes to Douglas Park Road about 50 yards before it leaves the park and it widens to a proper two-lane road.  Continuing east on Douglas Park Road, we found a covered bridge over Sheep Pen Creek.

Looking northeast at the Douglas Park Road covered bridge over Sheep Pen Creek

Looking southwest at the covered bridge

Another view of the covered bridge

Sheep Pen Creek is still flowing even in late August

A closer view of Sheep Pen Creek

Looking upstream at the Smith River near the covered bridge on Douglas Park Road

One and one-quarter miles after leaving the park, Douglas Park Road becomes South Fork Road at a junction just west of the bridge over South Fork Smith River.  Keep left at the junction and cross the bridge to continue toward US 199, Redwood Highway.  Along the way, an opening in the trees reveals the US 199 bridge over Myrtle Creek on the opposite side of the river.  One half mile beyond the junction with South Fork Road, the road ends at US 199.  There is a gravel parking area to the left of the intersection and a path that leads down to Myrtle Creek and the Smith River.  Much of the Smith River and its tributaries have been designated a National Wild and Scenic River and this section is also a National Recreation Area managed by the US Forest Service.

US 199 concrete arch bridge over Myrtle Creek from across the Smith River

A closer view of the bridge near the parking area

A different perspective of the US 199 bridge over Myrtle Creek

A small pool on Myrtle Creek

The small rapids that drain the pool

A flowing section of Myrtle Creek below the small rapids

A large gravel bar on the Smith River

A deep pool on the Smith River above the gravel bar

Another view of the pool

The clear water provides views of the canyon walls below the surface

Below the South Fork Road bridge, the river widens out into a beautiful pool

The South Fork Road bridge was built across the narrowest part of the river
(note the bridge shadow at the upper left)

The channel is very deep along this section

A twin-girder steel bridge carries South Fork Road over the Smith River

There is no access fee to visit Myrtle Creek or the Smith River at this location. Campground fees depend on the services provided.

The National Wild and Scenic River website is http://www.rivers.gov/rivers/smith.php.

The Six Rivers National Forest website is http://www.fs.usda.gov/srnf/.