How To Spend A Day In Happy Camp

Dear Madam Mining Claim

Long before the Red Hat Society was in existence, eighty year old, San Francisco native Stella Patterson moved to Happy Camp for adventure.   A respected member of San Francisco society, she had won critical acclaim as an author.  She penned the classic “Dear Mad’m” about her new life in Happy Camp.  This is a pretty spot and great for picnicking. Bring a book.  Recommend reading: “Dear Mad’m”.

Kelly Lake                  T18N R6W S33

Kelly Lake is 40 minutes from Happy Camp.  It is a gorgeous lake located up Indian Creek Road.  Easy access, a perfect spot for elders or young children, bring a fishing pole; trout are really biting before 10 a.m.  The lake is stocked every spring.

Break out the camera. This spot is a beautiful backdrop for this year’s Christmas card.  A picnic table and a fire ring are at each end of the lake.  From the back of Kelly Lake, an easy 3-mile trail leads to a big beautiful meadow near Poker Flat and an overnight camping trail around the lake.  In June there is a Fishing Derby for Children. 

Other great lakes in the vicinity are Bolin Lake and Tannin Lake and information can be obtained at the U.S.F.S. Visitors Center in Happy Camp.

Poker Flat is a mountain meadow, and a great site for larger gatherings.

Sulfur Springs

Sulfur Springs is the winter calving grounds for the magnificent Roosevelt Elk.  Temperate Sulfur Springs is where Karuk Elders, for thousands of years, have soaked away their aches and pains.  Local lore has it, that the sulfur cures poison oak.  While you’re there, check out the mysterious white algae in the springs.

Slater Butte

Picnic at the top of Slater Butte, and enjoy breath-taking 360-degree panoramic vistas at this lookout area. There is easy access for disabled and elderly.  The Forest Ranger welcomes visitors.  Well-behaved kids can climb the stairs and have an awesome view of Mt. Shasta.  The road is paved all the way.

Bird Watching   Happy Camp, surrounded by dense forest and steep mountainous terrain is rich with bird life.  Access along Hwy 96 allows many views of the Klamath River where Common Mergansers and Osprey can often be seen.  Watch for Osprey building nests between mid-March through April and Ruffed Grouse along creeks.  Watch Chestnut-backed Chickadee along the “ Short River Viewing” trail at the Happy Camp River Park.

Just a bit east, along Highway 96 in the Seiad Valley is another great bird viewing area.  Nature reclaimed this area after extensive gold dredging more than 100 years ago.  Now the valley is dominated by willow, alder and blackberries making it a rich area for many bird species including Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Hummingbirds, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Bald Eagle and many Warblers and Vireos.

Gold Panning and Gold mining

For those interested in small-scale gold prospecting and mining, Happy Camp is perfect. Not as accessible as mining areas in the Mother Lode, this area has not been as heavily worked.  It is also an area where gold deposits are laid down in flood times in the many gravel bars, in layers—sometimes in a layer only a foot, or 18 inches below the surface of the material. Many of these gold deposits are very accessible, and have proven to be quite rewarding for people working with gold pans, sluices and motorized sluicing gear. These types of mining are done all along the Klamath River from I-5 to many miles below the town of Happy Camp.

Fishing Derby for kids

The United States Forest Service hosts the Fishing Derby for all kids in June.  This day trip is at picturesque Kelly Lake.  This is a day of fun and fish that the kids will remember for a lifetime.  The fishing derby is usually the second week in June. The happycampchamber.com website Calendar will have current schedule for activity dates.

Swimming Holes

 Happy Campers spend their summer in the creeks.  Clear Creek is a hidden jewel located approximately 15 miles south of town.  There is a trek of approximately a half-mile from the parking area to the creek along variable terrain.. Absolutely a treasure!

Local holes can be on private land.  Be sure to and check and see.  Be polite and ASK.  Locals are happy to clue visitors in on the choice spots.

Old-fashion Christmas Tree Cutting Weekend

Make memories with a great family get away that’s easy on the wallet.  The U.S. Forest Service Station Visitor Center is the location to get a tree-cutting permit and pick up maps.  Hike and find the perfect tree.  Shop for homemade Christmas gifts at the Happy Camp Grange’s Craft Faire the first weekend in December. The Visitor Center at the U.S. Forest Service  is open Monday through Friday during business hours.

Summertime Community Dinners

Day Hikes

Sulfur Springs Trailhead                                 T46N R8W S29

Elk Creek – The trail leaves Sulfur Springs Campground 15 miles south of Happy Camp.  A cool, shady walk with nice views of Elk Creek awaits hikers on this trail.  A 2 mile hike up the trail leads to a small, designated picnic area by the creek.  For a longer trip, hikers can continue a pleasant walk along the creek towards the northern border of the Marble Mountain Wilderness.

Grider Creek Trailhead                                 T46N R12W S27

Grider Creek and Pacific Crest Trail – From Grider Creek Campground, hikers will find a pleasant and easy 3 mile hike along Grider Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail.  This cool, shady trail is in great shape.

Elbow Springs Trailhead                                T15N R5E S26

Bear Lake – This lake rests in the southeastern portion of the Siskiyou Wilderness, 3 miles from the trailhead.  The moderately difficult trail passes by Bear Peak and through Little Bear Valley.  Hikers can reach Lower Bear Lake by traveling a quarter mile farther to the north.

White Water Rafting Along The Klamath

For a truly awesome summer experience you’ve got to spend some time on the Klamath River.  White water rafting is a popular activity on the river.  There are many guides that provide commercial white-water guiding services along the Klamath. 

A complete list of U.S.F.S. permitted outfitters can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service Visitor’s Center on Hwy 96 in Happy Camp.

Party in Happy Camp

Why is the town named Happy Camp? We know how to throw a party!  The local festivals include:

The Bigfoot Jamboree,

The Happy Camp River Run,

Pumpkin Festival,

The Dog Show and

The Karuk Tribal Reunion

...just to name a few fun weekend activities. Check the happycampchamber.com website before you plan your next vacation.