Klamath National Forest

Straddling the Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains of Northern California near the Oregon border, Klamath National Forest protects 1.7 million acres of one of the most botanically diverse regions in North America, where the ranges of Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and California flora overlap. The Marble Mountain Wilderness, the forest's crown jewel at 241,744 acres, features glacier-carved marble and granite peaks rising above 80 alpine lakes and meadows rich with wildflowers. The Russian Wilderness and a portion of the Trinity Alps Wilderness add to over 300,000 acres of protected backcountry within the forest. Gold rush history runs deep here, with the Scott River and Salmon River valleys dotted with remnants of hydraulic mining operations from the 1850s, while the Klamath and Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers offer outstanding whitewater rafting and world-class steelhead and salmon fishing. The forest's ecological significance extends to its role as a critical corridor for wildlife movement between the Cascades and Coast Range, supporting black bear, mountain lion, Pacific fisher, and the northern spotted owl. Remote and lightly visited compared to Sierra forests, Klamath offers exceptional solitude for backpackers, hunters, and anglers seeking a true wilderness experience.