The area known as Yurok Country—the reservation of the Yurok people, the largest Native California tribe—is a wonderland of both natural beauty and rich history, sitting along the Klamath River and sharing some land with the Redwood National & State Parks. It’s easy to make a home base here at Redwood Hotel & Casino, where gaming is just the beginning of fun opportunities. Here are five ways to appreciate all that this remote and scenic area has to offer:
Delve into history and culture
History buffs and shoppers alike will enjoy the Yurok Country Visitor Center in the town of Klamath, about 60 miles north of Eureka. Check out exhibits about tribal history, see traditional art, then shop for Native American jewelry and crafts in the shop. Across the street, the Yurok Discovery Park features a simulated Yurok village constructed from redwood planks and Douglas fir poles. Combine more cultural education and a forest walk at Sue-meg State Park, south of Klamath, which is home to Sitka spruce and a reconstructed Yurok plank-house village.
Paddle the Klamath River
Traditional dugout redwood canoes are extremely rare these days, but you can ride in one with Redwood Yurok Canoe Tours, which offers two- and four-hour excursions. Paddle your way on the Klamath while the guides offer ecological and cultural insights about the river and forest from a tribal perspective.
Fish and see wildlife from a jet boat
For a combination of thrills and cool wildlife sightings, take a 45-mile round-trip outing with Klamath River Jet Boat Tours. The jet boat makes an exhilarating trip upstream, stopping to check out the scenery and possible wildlife sightings—like soaring bald eagles and bears pursuing salmon along the riverbank. Most trips are two hours, though you can also take a one-hour jaunt on the Klamath River estuary. If you want to fish out on the waters, spend a few hours on a jet boat with either Blue Creek Guide Service or Morgan Clayburn’s Guide Service. Both operators are helmed by tribal members and offer excellent access to local chinook salmon.
Glide between the redwoods
Say hello to the 50-foot Paul Bunyan statue as you arrive at Trees of Mystery, a unique attraction in Klamath. Stroll the 0.8-mile interpretive trail and admire the dozens of wooden chainsaw-carved sculptures, then level up your walk—literally. The park’s Redwood Canopy Trail features eight fully netted suspension bridges, 50 to 100 feet off the ground, which connect redwood trees and their own elevated platforms. Or board the park’s SkyTrail gondola and ride it for a third of a mile 130 feet above the ground to an observation deck offering forest and even ocean views. Take the gondola for a return trip or hike your way back on the more challenging Wilderness Trail.
For another creative way to explore the redwood forests, consider a horseback riding tour with the Redwood Creek Buckarettes. This Orick-based operation takes guests deep into the woods to see old-growth redwoods, and they were featured on an episode of the California Now Podcast.
Seek out California condors
These giant land birds—known as prey-go-neesh in the Yurok language—were recently headed toward extinction. Thanks to the efforts of the Yurok Condor Restoration Program, the birds have been on the upswing in these parts since March 2022. Keep an eye out for them while hiking in Redwood National & State Parks or track them from afar on the condor webcam.
