Klamath River Overlook

After a journey of more than 250 miles the Klamath River reaches the ocean.

NPS Photo / Steven Krause

Quick Facts

Location:

Klamath River mouth, northwest of Klamath.

Significance:

Whale watching, sunsets.

Designation:

National Park

Amenities

6 listed

Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Toilet - Vault/Composting

Klamath River Overlook

Redwood National Park

The Klamath River Overlook offers magnificent views of the mouth of the Klamath River and the Pacific Ocean.

Bring your binoculars! This is a great place to observe a variety of birds and marine life anytime of year. You might even catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales in the spring or fall. Seals will often be seen and heard as they rest on the sandspit at the mouth of the Klamath River. The overlook has picnic tables and it offers incredible sunset views if not hidden by fog. 

Interpretive signs talk about this area's human history and wildlife. Since time immemorial, the mouth of the Klamath River has been a source of food, trade and cultural traditions for Northern California people like the Yurok. To this day, the river mouth remains a special and scared place.

This site also has the trailhead for the "Klamath Section" of the California Coastal Trail which goes north to the Lagoon Creek Day Use Area. For the adventurous looking to get closer to the action in the surf, after 1/2 mile this steep trail leads to a great ocean overlook below. 

Road access is not suitable for larger recreational vehicles or trailers.