Day Three in Del Norte County
On our third morning in Del Norte County, we got up early, packed up the car, and headed out. The drive home to Portland was about six hours. But before leaving Del Norte County, we had one last adventure scheduled with Redwood Rides.
Redwood Rides
We’d signed up for the Redwoods by River half day tour. This is the most popular tour offered by Redwood Rides. It’s a scenic float down the Smith River that’s appropriate for all ages (kids must at least 3-years-old to participate).
We met up at a gas station in Hiouchi and followed the Redwood Rides van to a parking lot by the river. We left our cars there, then boarded a van that took us to the drop spot upriver. We met our guide, donned our life vests and climbed aboard the raft.
The Smith River is stunning, it’s one of the world’s cleanest rivers. The gorgeous, sunny day made the river sparkle. The water was crystal clear, we could see fish swimming around us and the beautiful boulder gardens underwater. The section we floated was mild, with just a few small rapids. We journeyed through the high canyon walls of the Middle Fork Smith before stopping at Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.
Our guide paddled the raft to shore, and pulled us out of the water. We climbed out and headed into the woods, not just any woods, the redwoods. It’s stunning to stand amidst trees that are hundreds of feet tall, and hundreds of years old. These ancient giants are magnificent. We did an easy half-mile loop through the scenic Stout Grove, stopping along the way to admire the beauty and take a few photos. The kids enjoyed climbing the downed trees as if it were a giant natural playground.
KidTripster Tip: The Stout Grove is also accessible by car. If visiting in the summer, park at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground and pay the $8 day use fee. From the campground, you’ll head to the river, crossing a hikers’ bridge that will take you to the Stout Grove trail. There’s a beach here, too, for day-use visitors. It’s a rock (not sand) beach where you can set up camp for the day and play in the water.
We arrived back at the raft to resume our float, but not before the kids took a quick swim in the Smith. It was almost midday, with the sun bearing down, it was a perfect way to cool off. We spent another hour or so on the water. Our guide grew up in this river and had lots of knowledge to share about the plants and wildlife. In all, our journey lasted about three and a half hours between meet up and drop off.
We highly recommend this adventure for families, given that it includes both rafting and hiking. Nothing was too strenuous, making it suitable for all ages.
KidTripster Tip: Prior to your adventure, Redwood Rides will email you with specific instructions about where to meet, what to wear, etc. You’ll want to bring water and sunscreen, and perhaps a few portable snacks in case the kids get whiny with hunger (like mine did). Wear water shoes. These will work for the short hike into the redwoods. Flip flops aren’t recommended. We didn’t get too wet on the raft, although you can take a swim if you like. We’d recommend wearing a swimsuit under your clothing, especially in the summer. There is a shared dry bag on the raft to store items that you don’t want to get wet.
The half day cost is $84 per adult and $69 per child, or the full day cost is $129 for adults and $99 per kids. A catered picnic lunch is included in the full day float.
After finishing up our adventure with Redwood Rides, it was time to head home. We dried off and cleaned up, then reluctantly got into the car. But with so much to see and do in Del Norte County, we knew we’d be back soon.
Getting to Del Norte County
Del Norte County is located on the Pacific coast, in the northwestern tip of California. It’s about a six hour drive from Portland, San Francisco or Sacramento.
You’ll find lots of accommodations in Crescent City. There are several hotels as well as vacation rentals. We rented a 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom home through VRBO. Renting a house provided everyone their own space to wind down in the evenings. Our unit had a full kitchen, garage, and outdoor seating area. You’ll also find rental options along the Smith River.
KidTripster Tip: If driving in from Portland, consider stopping at Wildlife Safari (1790 Safari Road) in Winston, Oregon. It’s the midway point during the drive. You can stop at the Wildlife Safari Village for free. There are some animals on display, a petting zoo as well as restrooms and snacks. The Wildlife Safari Drive-Thru is pretty cool. It’s well worth the price of admission as it takes about 60-90 minutes to drive through the 600 acres. As you follow the path, you’ll see a variety of animals including elephants, bears, rhinos, giraffes and zebras. You’ll be able to stop to look at animals and take photos. In one section of the drive, you can buy a bag of food and feed animals out the window. Warning, you’ll get mobbed by the hungry ostrich and deer! Admission is $21.95 for adults and $15.95 per kids.
The author received complimentary activities for the purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
