Route 197 is from Route 199 to Route 101 staying north of the Smith River. [CS&HC Sec. 497]

Road Conditions

Entire route. [CS&HC Sec. 263.1]

Just a mile east of Route 197's end on Route 199 is the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The park is named after the intrepid explorer who explored the interior of northern California. His journey through the coast redwood belt was part of a remarkable two-year trapping expedition which began in 1826. Smith pioneered a trail southwest from the Great Salt Lake across the Mojave Desert through the San Bernadino Mountains into California. Established in 1929, this 10,000 acre predominately old growth coast redwoods park is bisected by the last major free flowing river in California, the Smith River. Almost all of the park land is water shed for the Smith River and Mill Creek, a major tributary. The park has about 20 miles of hiking and nature trails, river access, a visitor center with exhibits and a nature store. For more information, call (707)464-6101 ext. 5112.

Route 101 to Route 199: The KPRA advised for the route is less than 30 feet.

This route is the northern approach to Route 199. Heading west on Route 199, Route 197 splits off northwesterly to northbound Route 101. I have seen maps where this route is erroneously signed as a U.S. Highway.

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