Scenic Driving

Three scenic byways run through the Klamath National Forest. The Bigfoot Scenic Byway runs along the Klamath River on Hwy 96 from Happy Camp to Orleans. The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway also follows Hwy 96 from Pioneer Bridge to Happy Camp and then over Greyback Road to O'Brien, OR at US Hwy 199. Take a virtual tour of both these byways courtesy of the Siskiyou County Visitor's Bureau. The Volcanic Legacy National Scenic Byway runs through portions of the Goosenest Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest. Mount Shasta's fascinating Volcanic Geology and Cultural History is described below, as posted at the Volcanic Legacy's Mount Shasta Vista Point on Highway 97.

VOLCANIC LEGACY NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

MOUNT SHASTA’s Geology and History

As described on interpretive panels at the CalTrans “Mount Shasta Vista Point” on the Volcanic Legacy National Scenic Byway/Hwy 97 (12 miles North of Mount Shasta)

Volcanic Legacy National Scenic Byway Intrepretive Panels

Two Geologic Panels describe Mount Shasta’s 500,000 years of active volcanism that continues to this day, along with its place within the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, its parts remaining from major eruptive episodes, its prominent glaciers, hot springs, and evidence of it creating the largest terrestrial landslide in history.

Geologic Panel 1 Geologic Panel 2

Two Cultural Panels tell human stories of inspiration and reverence for Mount Shasta, first by Native American tribes who celebrate its presence and bounty with traditional ceremonies of song, dance, healing, meditation and vision quest. Mount Shasta’s impressions on westward explorers, miners and settlers are also told through historic accounts and trail diaries.

Native Panel Emigrant Panel

Scenic Driving Areas

Goosenest Ranger District
Summer or winter the Goosenest Ranger District provides opportunities for many types of recreation. Deer Mountain and Four Corners snowmobile parks provide 135 miles of groomed snowmobile trails which are part of a 250 mile network the reaches into the western half of the Modoc National Forest and the northern part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Juniper Flat OHV Area provides 48 acres of open riding terrain.
Orr Lake Campground
Shafter Campground
Shafter Picnic Site
Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District
Happy Camp lies at the heart of recreation in northern California. River rafting, gold panning, wilderness hiking and scenic driving are all popular activities in the summer. Spring and fall offer the best weather and lower fire danger. Winter snowshoeing and cross country skiing can provide opportunities unmatched for solitude.
Curly Jack Campground
Fort Goff Campground
Sarah Totten Campground
Tree of Heaven Campground
West Branch Campground
Klamath National Wild & Scenic River
The Klamath River was designated a Recreational River within the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1981. The Klamath River enters California from Oregon just north of the Goosenest Ranger District. As it heads west it is impounded by two dams which form Copco Lake and Iron Gate Reservoir. Nine miles further west it turns south and follows Interstate 5 for a few miles before again turning west and entering the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District. The next 85 miles provide many opportunities for recreation and scenic vistas before the river enters the Six Rivers National Forest. This is a high-use recreation zone. Human waste must be packed out. A scat machine is available in Happy Camp for disposing of collected human waste.

Our interactive river map will help you plan your river trip. It includes information on put-ins and take-puts, rapids, and potential camping sites. You will need to download Google Earth to view the map. You can also book a river trip with one of our permitted outfitters.

Before you start your river trip please complete a trip documentation card. Trip cards are available at river access sites, and may be turned in at the Happy Camp Ranger District office or dropped into one of the trip card boxes available at put-ins. The trip cards help Forest Service staff estimate river use, help us focus our limited staff resources on busier river sections, and help us know if boaters are on a river section if the need for an emergency evacuation arises.

Sections of the Klamath River downstream from Happy Camp are subject to temporary river use restrictions during the summer in observance of Karuk Tribal ceremonies. Please refer to the current schedule for information on the current year's river access restrictions.
A. Ash Creek River Access
B. Cayuse River Access
C. Skeahan Bar River Access
D. Gottville River Access
E. Brown Bear River Access
F. Blue Heron River Access
G. Rocky Point River Access
H. Sluice Box River Access
I. Portuguese Creek River Access
J. Savage Rapids River Access
K. Seattle Creek River Access
L. China Point River Access
M. Gordons Ferry River Access
N. Indian Creek River Access
O. Chambers Flat River Access
P. Wingate Bar River Access
Q. Ferry Point River Access
R. Independence Rest Area /River Access
S. Coon Creek River Access
T. Elliott Creek River Access
U. Dillon Creek River Access
V.. Blue Nose River Access
W. Persido Bar River Access
X. Ti Bar River Access
Y. Rock Creek River Access
Z. Stuarts Bar River Access
Zz. Green Riffle River Access/Mandatory Take Out

Scenic Driving

Scenic Driving Areas

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities