Big French Creek

Big Bar, California

Blocked todayCalifornia
Blocked today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Blocked

for canoeing, today

An agency closure order is in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 17 h ago · oldest 17 h

  • problem: Agency alerts

    20 active alerts in Shasta-Trinity National Forest; most severe: Mud and Ash Creek Area and Road Closure

    USFSPosted May 2, 2025 · checked 17 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clear, high 76°F / low 65°F, 0% precip — 100/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather17 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

11.4 mi run
Flows year-round
113 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
113 cfs
Average current
1.5 ft/s
Gradient
297.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
39 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Big French Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Big French Creek is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Big Bar, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 113 cfs and a gradient of about 297.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: Wilderness.net boundaries; USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Shasta-Trinity National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Hayfork CreekPhoto: U.S. Forest Service, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hayfork Creek

~41 min drive

Hayfork Creek is a 47-mile paddling stretch near Hayfork, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 762 cfs and a gradient of about 71.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Big Flat River Access Parking

~13 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Boise Creek

~36 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Mary Smith Campground

~34 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Big Creek

~10 min drive

Big Creek is a 7.5-mile paddling stretch near Burnt Ranch, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 59 cfs and a gradient of about 374.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pigeon Point Boating Site

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

New River

~15 min drive

New River is a 18-mile paddling stretch near Burnt Ranch, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 715 cfs and a gradient of about 58.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Bagdad

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

East Fork New River

~19 min drive

East Fork New River is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Big Bar, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 121 cfs and a gradient of about 235.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Dump Hole

~37 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Big Baroffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Six Rivers Rafting

Kayaking business nearby (~20 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Kayak Trinidad

Kayaking business nearby (~48 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator