Things to Do in Klamath: A Local’s Guide

Walk Through Old-Growth Redwoods

The number one reason most people come to Klamath is to walk among the ancient coast redwoods, and the best place to do it is Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 10 minutes south of town. Start with the Big Tree Wayside, then add the Cathedral Tree and Revelation Trail loops for an unhurried hour or two in the forest.

If you have half a day, drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway end to end, stopping at four or five pullouts along the way. Each lets you step a few hundred feet into old-growth forest that feels untouched by time.

Roosevelt elk often graze in the meadows along the Parkway, especially in early morning. They are huge and you should not approach them, but watching from a respectful distance is a highlight.

Visit Trees of Mystery

Trees of Mystery is the unmissable roadside stop north of town. Skip any assumption that it is a tourist trap; the SkyTrail gondola is genuinely spectacular and the Redwood Canopy Trail with its suspension bridges is an engineering feat worth the admission alone.

Plan 2 to 3 hours on site. Start with the SkyTrail ride, then walk the Canopy Trail, and finish at the Trail of Mysterious Trees. There is a Native American museum and a gift shop at the end.

Family tip: the 49-foot Paul Bunyan statue out front is a required photo stop. Kids love it; adults pretend not to.

Take a Klamath River Jet Boat Tour

In summer (typically June through September), jet boat tours run daily up the Klamath River. These are the best way to see the river ecosystem from water level, including bald eagles, osprey, river otters, and occasionally black bears on the banks.

Tours run two to six hours depending on the operator. Expect narration about river geography and Yurok cultural history, plus plenty of photo stops.

Book ahead in peak season. Popular sailings sell out by noon the day before.

Explore Fern Canyon

About 25 minutes south of Klamath (and requiring a summer reservation through ReserveCalifornia), Fern Canyon is the canyon of towering green fern-covered walls you might recognize from Jurassic Park 2 and various BBC documentaries.

Plan half a day for the full experience, including the access drive on Davison Road and time to walk the streambed in the canyon. The road has vehicle size restrictions and is subject to closures.

Wear shoes that can get wet. There is no dry route through the canyon in most seasons, and the experience is much better if you stop fighting the water.

Experience Yurok Culture

The Yurok Country Visitor Center is the cultural hub of Klamath. Their programming includes storytelling, dance performances, traditional canoe tours on the river, and demonstrations by local artisans.

If your trip dates overlap with a scheduled event, make time for it. Few other destinations in California offer this depth of Indigenous cultural experience directly from the community itself.

Yurok canoe tours are especially memorable. These are traditional redwood dugout canoes and guided by Yurok paddlers who share history, ecology and storytelling as you glide through the wetlands.

Go Fishing for Salmon or Steelhead

The Klamath River is one of the West Coast’s legendary salmon rivers. Fall Chinook typically run August through October, with steelhead following in winter.

Licenced guides run half- and full-day charters. If you have never fished the Klamath, book a guide for your first trip. Local knowledge of pools, runs and tides pays off immediately.

California fishing licences are required; your guide usually has details and can arrange them.

Stop at the Tour Thru Tree

A classic California roadside ritual lives on in Klamath. The Klamath Tour Thru Tree is a redwood cut with an opening large enough to drive a compact car through (fold in the mirrors).

It is a small roadside attraction with a tiny admission fee. The experience takes five minutes and produces an unforgettable photo.

Vehicle size matters. Full-size SUVs, trucks with trailers and motorhomes will not fit. Park and walk through instead.

Plan a Coast Day

Gold Bluffs Beach, High Bluff Overlook, and Wilson Creek Beach are three very different coastal experiences within a short drive of Klamath. Pack a picnic, layer up, and build in a slow afternoon.

The coastline here is wild. Waves are strong, rip currents real, and beaches often deserted outside peak weekends. Enjoy the space; respect the water.

Sunsets over the Pacific from the Klamath River Overlook are as good as it gets. Aim to be there 45 minutes before official sunset.

You might also find these useful: Best Day Trips from Klamath, Walking Tours in Klamath: Self-Guided Routes, Getting to Klamath: Airport and Transport Guide.

For official planning information, see Visit California – Klamath.

Frequently Asked Questions