Drives California The Far North
Highway 96: Willow Creek to Somes Bar
CA 96, Bigfoot Scenic Byway · Willow Creek → Somes Bar
The drive
Highway 96 is the Bigfoot Scenic Byway, named for a region that claims more Bigfoot sightings than anywhere in the country. It starts in Willow Creek, on the Trinity River and Highway 299, a town with its own Bigfoot Museum, and runs north down the Trinity through the Hoopa Valley.
At Weitchpec the Trinity meets the Klamath, and the road turns upriver along the Klamath into the Six Rivers National Forest, through Orleans to Somes Bar, on the Salmon River. Most of the way it runs through the lands of the Hoopa Valley, Yurok and Karuk tribes. Highway 96 carries on up the Klamath to Happy Camp; this drive stops at Somes Bar.
Along the way
- Willow Creek (Highway 299)
- Hoopa
- Weitchpec
- Orleans
- Somes Bar
Good to know
- Much of the route is on the Hoopa Valley, Yurok and Karuk reservations; respect posted rules and private land.
- Caltrans sometimes runs weekday one-way traffic control for construction near the Highway 299 end; check before you go.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans: Highway 96 conditions.
Questions about this drive
How long does Highway 96 from Willow Creek to Somes Bar take?
Highway 96 from Willow Creek to Somes Bar is about 45 miles and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes without stops.
Why is Highway 96 called the Bigfoot Scenic Byway?
Highway 96 from Willow Creek to Happy Camp is promoted as the region with the most Bigfoot sightings in the country, and the Patterson-Gimlin film was made about 50 miles north of Willow Creek.
What rivers does Highway 96 follow?
From Willow Creek, Highway 96 follows the Trinity River through the Hoopa Valley to Weitchpec, then the Klamath River past Orleans to Somes Bar, at the Salmon River.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.