Smith River   



Humboldt County's first residents hailed from the Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, Chilula, Whilkut and Hupa tribes, among others. They settled on the coast and along the banks of the Trinity and Klamath rivers. The county was created in May 1853 and derives its name from Humboldt Bay, which was "discovered" by a sea otter hunting party in 1806 and rediscovered in 1849. Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay in 1850 and named it in honor of naturalist and explorer Baron Alexander von Humboldt.

Del Norte County has been home to the Yurok and Tolowa peoples for thousands of years. Legendary explorer Jedediah Smith is credited with being the first non-native to enter the region, in 1828. Gold strikes on the Klamath and Smith Rivers in the 1850s led to the settlement of the county, which was created in March 1857. Its name, meaning "the north" is derived from its position in the northwest corner of the state.

Statistics
Population: 2,000

Government
The town of Smith River is an unincorporated area of Del Norte County and does not have a mayor or city council. As such, it is governed by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors. Information on local services can be obtained through the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce
1001 Front St.
Crescent City, 95531
464-3174
visit site

Del Norte County
Board of Supervisors
981 H St. Suite 200    
Crescent City, 95531
(707) 464-7204
The Smith River area is wild with salmon, clear water and redwoods.
  The stunning bright blue-green waters of the Smith River grab nature-loving tourists along the North Coast. Around 2,000 people call Smith River home and some of them are direct descendants of the area’s founding families.
  Just north of Crescent City and 13 miles south of the Oregon border, this coastal community has the best of both worlds, with nearby ocean cooling patterns and the summer warmth that rarely graces the beaches. This has helped Smith River become the Easter lily capital of the world. In fact, the Del Norte bulb farms represent one of the county’s largest employment opportunities.
  The Smith River is the last Californian river that has been left completely undammed. This has created fantastic fishing spots, and the Smith has been federally designated as a “wild and scenic river.”
  Visit during the Aleutian Goose Festival in March and take advantage of a guided-river tour with a professional nature interpreter. The nearby Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is also a great place to visit as it has year-round camping opportunities along the river, with great bike trails, fishing, guided tours, horseback trails and hiking trails.
  The Smith River Rancheria is located next to the mouth of the Smith River, 3 miles south of the Oregon border. The American Indian rancheria has operated the Lucky 7 Casino in Smith River since 1996 and offers gaming tables and machines, bingo and a full-service restaurant and bar.