Hiouchi Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The Smith River can rise fast during winter storms, and sections of the trail near the riverbank may flood or become unstable — check conditions with the Hiouchi Information Center if you're hiking between November and March.
Poison oak grows aggressively along the trail margins, especially in the sunnier riparian stretches — learn to identify the three-leaf clusters and stick to the center of the path.
Trail Details
- 1
Start from the Hiouchi Information Center trailhead off Highway 199 for the most intuitive routing — the trail connects to the Hatton Loop on the far end, so you can arrange a car shuttle or simply turn around when the river views start repeating.
- 2
Wear shoes with decent grip rather than sandals — the bluff sections above the river have exposed roots and can get slick after rain, and you'll want traction if you scramble down to any gravel bars.
- 3
The best photography light hits the river in late morning when the sun clears the canyon walls but hasn't yet washed out the turquoise color — bring a polarizing filter if you have one to cut the glare and really pull out that signature Smith River green.
