Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

Bigfoot Trail: Bluff Creek Section

Six Rivers National Forest, California · 3 min read

Distance
7 mi
Elevation Gain
800 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
May through October
Dog Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
None
Parking
No Lot
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
Nearby
Camping
Developed
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Bluff Creek: location of the famous 1967 Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film
  • Wild and Scenic River tributary of the Klamath in a remote canyon
  • Old-growth Douglas fir and Port Orford cedar forest along the creek
  • Excellent steelhead and salmon fishing in the creek
  • Remote canyon character rarely visited by hikers

Overview

Bluff Creek is the most storied location in Six Rivers National Forest: a remote, canyon-bottom tributary of the Klamath River that carries both excellent fishing and the most famous piece of Bigfoot lore in American popular culture. The 7-mile out-and-back follows the creek through old-growth Douglas fir and Port Orford cedar forest, passing the sandbar location where the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film was shot and continuing upstream into an increasingly remote and beautiful canyon.

No permit required. High-clearance vehicle recommended for the access road.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.5: Film site area and lower creek. From the Bluff Creek Campground, the trail heads downstream briefly to the Patterson-Gimlin film site sandbar, then reverses to head upstream. The sandbar is recognizable from the film's background features and is marked by informal signage. The creek flows clear and cold over cobblestones and gravel bars.

Miles 1.5 to 3.5: Old-growth corridor. The trail follows the east bank upstream through increasingly large Douglas fir and old-growth Port Orford cedar. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides. The forest is dark and quiet, the creek audible throughout. Salmon and steelhead runs are visible from the bank in fall: schools of large fish holding in the deeper pools are one of the more dramatic wildlife experiences in the forest.

Miles 3.5 to 3.5: Turnaround. The trail reaches a point where a second creek crossing would be required to continue. Most hikers use this as the turnaround and retrace the route.

When to Hike

May through June for spring wildflowers and high-water canyon character. September through November for fall salmon and steelhead runs.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 1.5 to 2 liters of water. Creek water is available but requires treatment. Fishing gear for anglers. Waterproof footwear for the creek crossings.

Trailhead Access

Forest Road 12N13 from State Route 96 northwest of Willow Creek. High-clearance vehicle required.

Practical Details

No permit is required for day hiking on this trail. Dogs are welcome on leash. No restroom facilities are at the trailhead; plan accordingly. Water sources are present along the trail but require treatment before drinking. No cell service is available in this area; download offline maps before leaving the main road.

The recommended season for this trail is May through October. Conditions outside this window may include challenging weather, trail closures, or reduced accessibility. Always verify current conditions with the Six Rivers National Forest ranger district before visiting, particularly at the beginning and end of the recommended season when conditions are most variable.

Before any visit, review the Leave No Trace seven principles and our checking conditions guide for current fire restrictions, trail closures, and ranger district advisories. The America the Beautiful pass covers day use fees at developed recreation areas where applicable. Veterans and active military have additional access options covered in our veteran benefits guide.

Nearby

The Grizzly Creek Trail near Willow Creek provides a more accessible alternative. The main Six Rivers National Forest guide has full context on the Wild and Scenic River system. Follow Leave No Trace principles along the creek corridor and review checking conditions for road status.

Trailhead Parking

Bluff Creek Campground parking area on Forest Road 12N13, north of Willow Creek. Gravel road with creek crossings, high-clearance required in early season. Small campground lot. No fee.

← Back to Six Rivers National Forest

More Trails in Six Rivers National Forest

moderateout-and-back

Buck Creek Trail

5.5 mi1,400 ft gain
May through October

A 5.5-mile out-and-back into the southern Six Rivers National Forest approaching the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness boundary, through mixed conifer forest with ridge views.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Grizzly Creek Trail

4.5 mi400 ft gain
April through October

A 4.5-mile out-and-back along Grizzly Creek near Willow Creek in Six Rivers National Forest, through Douglas fir and alder forest with swimming holes and reliable trout fishing.

3 min read

easyout-and-back

Pearch Creek Trail

3.5 mi200 ft gain
April through October

A 3.5-mile out-and-back along Pearch Creek near Orleans in Six Rivers National Forest, through a lower Klamath tributary canyon with swimming holes and easy terrain.

3 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Red Cap Lake Trail

8.5 mi2,200 ft gain
July through September

An 8.5-mile out-and-back to a remote backcountry lake in the interior of Six Rivers National Forest, through old-growth Douglas fir and mixed conifer forest in the Siskiyou Mountains.

3 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Smith River National Recreation Trail

6 mi300 ft gain
May through October

A 6-mile out-and-back along the wild Smith River in the northern Six Rivers National Forest, the only major undammed river in California, through old-growth forest with emerald pools and excellent fishing.

3 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

South Fork Mountain Trail

8 mi1,500 ft gain
June through October

An 8-mile out-and-back along the South Fork Mountain ridgeline in Six Rivers National Forest, with panoramic views of the Trinity and Eel watersheds from a remote, windswept crest.

3 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Twin Sisters Trail

6.5 mi2,500 ft gain
July through September

A strenuous 6.5-mile out-and-back to the Twin Sisters peaks in the Siskiyou Wilderness of Six Rivers National Forest, with views across the Klamath Mountains and rare botanical terrain.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this really where the Bigfoot film was made?
Yes. The Patterson-Gimlin film of October 1967 was shot on Bluff Creek, specifically at a sandbar downstream from the current campground. The exact film site has been identified and is accessible from the trail. Whether or not you believe the film depicts an actual unknown primate, Bluff Creek is a genuinely remote and atmospheric canyon that has contributed more to Pacific Northwest mythology than any other single location. The Willow Creek Bigfoot Museum in town is worth a stop before or after the hike.
Is Bluff Creek good for fishing?
Yes. Bluff Creek is a tributary of the Klamath River and carries fall Chinook salmon and winter steelhead runs. The upper creek above the Klamath confluence holds resident rainbow trout year-round. California DFW regulations apply throughout; check current seasons and special regulations for the Klamath system before fishing (as of 2026). The remote access keeps fishing pressure modest compared to the main Klamath.
How difficult is the Bluff Creek access road?
The Forest Road 12N13 to Bluff Creek Campground crosses the creek multiple times before the campground and requires a high-clearance vehicle in early season when water is high. By midsummer the crossings are shallower and a standard SUV can manage. In spring and after storms, the road can be impassable. Check with the Six Rivers National Forest headquarters in Eureka for current road conditions.