Happy Camp California still has active gold claims today, imagine the amount of gold in 1900 !! We access happy camp from the Oregon side.
Forest Highway 48, known locally as the Grayback road, is clear of snow and open for travel just in time for the busy summer season. The road crosses the Siskiyou Mountains and links the small river communities along the Klamath River in California with those in Oregon.
Forest Highway 48 is paved and motor home-friendly. Numerous campgrounds, lakes, creeks, and lookouts are well marked on this road. There is a popular Sno-Park and rest area on the Oregon side of the summit; the rest area is now open year-round. Maps of the forest are available at Forest Service offices, including local ranger stations in Cave Junction, OR and Happy Camp, CA. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, fishing, gold panning, ‘Bigfoot’-chasing, and a host of other possibilities.
The road is open in time for the June 2-4 “Art and Treasures” event in Happy Camp; a weekend long festival with art shows, crafts and sales. The Happy Camp Ranger District will have a special display of children’s art. With the opening of the pass, Californians are now able to access the Oregon Caves and the Rogue River Valley via this historic and scenic short cut. It is a beautiful and scenic way to get to the coast, Grants Pass, and Medford.
The pass is part of the “State of Jefferson Scenic Byway” – one of the most scenic and diverse roads you’ll travel. The byway begins at Interstate 5 – just north of Yreka, CA and travels 70 miles east along the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Klamath River. At Happy Camp, CA the byway leaves the Klamath River and travels up over the Siskiyou Mountains to Cave Junction, Oregon – home of the Oregon Caves National Monument.
Visitors will find that Happy Camp and the surrounding area are home to some of Northern California’s most popular outdoor recreation opportunities. Every day people begin their whitewater rafting trips from Happy Camp, CA on the class 2 & 3 sections of the Klamath River. Over 30 commercial rafting companies hold and operate permits to raft on the Klamath River and rafts and kayaks are available to rent for self-guided trips on the slower sections (class 1 & 2) of the river. Most services are available in Happy Camp including gas, restaurants, lodging, health clinic, shops, art gallery, and others. Happy Camp is home to the Karuk Tribe which has a “People Center” open to the public housing a museum, cultural center, and gift shop.
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