Big Bar: Rafting, Gold History and the Trinity River

Big Bar combines the Trinity River with a distinctive gold history and a location along Highway 299. This makes the town a starting point for a wide variety of vacation days: you may be interested in rafting and kayaking, exploring quieter stretches of the river, fishing, or learning about the history of the 1849 gold discovery. When searching for a suitable vacation rental, it helps to first determine the pace you want: Should the river be the main focus, or would you like to combine active pursuits with relaxing breaks and historical discoveries?

Water Activities on the Trinity River

The area around Big Bar, Big Flat and Del Loma is known for the five-mile whitewater section called “Pigeon Point Run.” It is classified as Class III and is known among rafters and kayakers. Anyone interested in this section should take the planned activity and its character into account when organizing the day.

Rafting can be experienced in different time formats. Redwoods & Rivers offers half-day, full-day or multi-day tours. Guided and multi-day rafting tours are also offered in Big Bar. This allows you to choose between a single active excursion and a longer river experience when planning your trip, without structuring your entire stay around just one activity.

Away from the whitewater, the Trinity River also offers various opportunities. During the season, anglers in the area around Big Bar, Big Flat and Del Loma fish for trophy steelhead and salmon. Tubing is sometimes practiced on quieter stretches of the river. Sunbathing, swimming, floating and boating are also among the recreational activities on the Trinity River. This creates a varied selection for families with different interests, ranging from activity on the water and observing the river to quieter hours.

Gold History and a Practical Break

Big Bar is also historically interesting: in 1849, a significant gold discovery was made at Big Bar on the Trinity River. This year gives the place a clear historical dimension that can be combined well with a stay that is not intended to consist exclusively of water sports. In the area around Big Bar, Big Flat and Del Loma, people also search for gold along the riverbanks using gold pans.

For a break, the Big Bar Picnic Area serves as a useful point of reference. The site was formerly a campground and is now a picnic area. There are no toilets there. Anyone including this site in their daily plans should take this practical consideration into account before visiting.

Highway 299 as a Reference Point When Searching for Accommodation

Big Bar is located along Highway 299. Highway 299 through Trinity County is entirely part of the Trinity River Scenic Byway. When choosing a vacation rental in Big Bar, the desired combination of excursions and daily schedule is therefore more important than making a general classification of the town. Several activities relate to the area around Big Bar, Big Flat and Del Loma; therefore, check the specified starting area for each planned tour.

If rafting is the main focus, the tour duration and guided format may determine the planning. The Big Bar Picnic Area adds a picnic area to this selection, while Highway 299 provides the broader point of reference in Trinity County.

Other Places for Orientation

Other destinations for orientation: Trinity Center, Weaverville, Coffee Creek, Hayfork.

For the overall travel overview: Trinity County.