Smith, South Fork
Craigs Beach River Access to Forks River Access(South Fork Gorge)
| Difficulty | IV(V) |
| Length | 1.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Smith R Nr Crescent City Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 602 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 20, 2025 |
River Description
The South Fork Gorge is a classic class IV/V run of just under two miles in length but with half a dozen larger rapids and several smaller one rapids. The river runs right along the road and although you can't really see down into the gorge while driving the shuttle, you can get out and spend some time looking at it from above. From Craigs Beach the run begins with the Slalom Course, a fun stretch through a long sequence of boulder garden rapids with multiple routes to choose from and plenty of spots to eddy out.
The entrance to the gorge is marked by a fun double drop down the right side known simply as #1. After a long pool, #2 offers a choice of lines but right is usually preferred. After this drop you will want to catch the eddy on river right to scout #3, aka Good Luck!, one of the bigger drops in the gorge. The preferred line can vary with flow but generally involves avoiding a ledge hole on the right and a large midstream rock towards the bottom of the drop.
After a short pool, another horizon line awaits. An easy scout is available on river left for #4, the Boof. There are actually a few options for a boofs depending upon flow, or no boofs when the river is high.
Two final drops await. On the first of these, #5, the main flow heads down the left with a tricky line through two slots. There's also a fun slot over a rock lip on river right. The next drop, #6, is a steep drop with runout that pushes into the gorge wall on river left. There's a river left line over a ledge and a river right line that takes you down a fast ramp.
The remainder of the gorge is a flatwater paddle out to the Slant Bridge. Take-out on the sandy beach on river right just below the bridge and hike up the trail to the Smith River Forks River Access area. The rope swing under the bridge is definitely worth a go.
Check out Jason Rackley's South Fork Gorge and
...River Features
Craigs Beach River Access
Craigs Beach River Access is along the lower reach of the paved lower South Fork Road and features a parking area for 10-20 vehicles, picnic table, and vault toilet. A 300-foot-long trail connects the parking area to the river bar. Its narrow width makes it a challenging carry for rafts. It serves as the take-out for the Class III run upstream and as the put-in for the Class IV/V South Fork Gorge.
Unnamed Rapid
A Class III rapid that isn't quite enough to be worthy of a name or number. At low flows, there is a fun surf wave here.
#1
This rapid features a constriction formed by a large rock in the center of the river coming out of the pool above. Take the right channel, eddy out in the pocket eddy on the wall if you want, then drop over a small ledge-style drop, and gain speed to punch a larger hole near the bottom. The runout of this rapid will carry you beneath an overhanging cliff wall on the river right.
Forks River Access
The Forks River Access is the most highly developed river access in the Smith River National Recrwation Area and is also the busiest. It serves both the Middle and South forks and as put-ins and take-outs. The river access features a large, paved parking area, vault toilet, trash cans, and some interpretive signage.
While there is drive-down access to the river bar on the Middle Fork, a steep and narrow trail is the only connection between the parking area and the South Fork. Take out on the sandy beach on river right immediately below Slant Bridge (South Fork Road). The trail departs from the beach and climbs through the forest to reach to the downriver end of the paved parking area near the restroom of Forks River Access. The carry is difficult for rafts in particular.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportLow water run of the South Fork Gorge during BoatSmith 2022. At this flow, the gorge slows down and each drop is distinct and separated from others by calm pools. Even at low flow, it is plenty of water for a fun run.