From National Park Service

There are 13 miles of the North Fork Smith River in Oregon. Designated as wild and scenic in 1988, the two "wild" sections extend from the headwaters to Horse Creek and from Baldface Creek to the Oregon/California state line. The portion between Horse Creek and Baldface Creek is designated "scenic."

The North Fork Smith River is a relatively low-gradient river, dropping approximately 1800 feet from an elevation of 2900 feet in its headwaters in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness to 1100 feet at the Oregon/California border. The North Fork flows south from the flank of Chetco Peak in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness to its confluence with the Smith River in California, creating one of the best protected river systems in the National System.

The North Fork Smith River is influenced by both the moist coastal climate and the dry interior climate. Average annual precipitation is approximately 120 inches. Most of the precipitation falls during the months of October through March, with some precipitation falling as snow primarily in the higher elevations. Temperatures generally range from winter lows in the 20's to summer highs near the 100's.

The river has three outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs), which qualified it for designation into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: fisheries, water quality, and scenic quality.

Fisheries. The North Fork Smith River's fishery, typical of Pacific coastal systems, is dominated by trout and salmon. Winter steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout are the predominant anadromous species on the North Fork. Some populations of coho, chinook (both fall and spring run), and summer steelhead are found in the lower reaches of the river, primarily in California. The North Fork provides seven miles of near-pristine steelhead spawning and rearing habitat and is a significant source of the high-quality water on which the anadromous fishery of the Smith River depends.

Water Quality. The North Fork Smith River is known for its outstanding water quality and for its ability to clear quickly following storms. Low turbidity and lack of pollutants contribute to the river's excellent habitat and high fisheries value. Some of the North Fork's tributaries, most notably Baldface and Chrome Creeks, flow through, and are heavily influenced by, the area's geology (ultramafic rock bodies which lie both east and west of the river). The contribution of both dissolved minerals and suspended sediments from these streams influences the mainstem of the North Fork, seasonally affecting its color, clarity and nutrient supply.

Scenic Quality. The scenic quality in the river corridor is a result of a combination of the color, geology, water, and vegetation features. Factors contributing to site-specific scenic diversity include: large rocks, deep pools, exposed outcrops of peridotite (or serpentinite), a variety of soil types and colors, a variety of plant life (including old growth Douglas-fir), anadromous fisheries, wildlife, and emerald-colored water.