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| Home > California > Humbug |
Humbug OHV Area
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Other Names | Klamath National Forest, Oak Knoll Ranger District, Humbug Creek, Kennebec Gulch |
| Last Known Status | Temporarily Closed (due to McKinney and Yeti Fires Forest Order) |
This offroad area opened to the public around 2013 and offers 14 miles ATV trails, level parking with primitive camping, vault toilets and a youth training area. We took a spin through the area during summer 2018 and found most of the amenities in good condition but it's clear that this spot doesn't receive much use. The main staging area was graveled and fenced in but the youth training area and loading ramps were overgrown with tall grass and weeds. The staging area had two primitive campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring that still looked fairly new.
There is a short hill to climb from the staging area but as you go up in elevation the trails become lined with mostly pine trees and blackberry bushes. Most of the trails are bordered with nice wooden fencing and are marked and rated. The terrain is mostly hard packed with the occasional rut and loose chunk rock, but nothing too challenging.
The drive in is a little longer than you'd expect and while the main entrance road is wide and maintained, there are a couple sharp hairpin turns to get through. The drive is easy, just know that GPS and cell phone coverage is weak to non-existent as you head up into the mountains, so go over or print out the driving directions before heading out.
***ANNOUNCEMENTS***
Respect Private Property and Local Residents
A local resident has reported that visitors sometimes use Georgia St, North St or Humbug Road within the city limits to access the Humbug OHV Area. This is not the correct access route. Please trailer in your machines and stage at the designated staging area. Be considerate of home owners and stay off city streets and obey all traffic laws. Vehicles not equipped for highway use are prohibited on city streets and violators will be ticketed.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) call and check for fire restrictions |
| Night Riding | Unknown | Not Recommended |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | keep vehicle on trail |
| Rule Enforcement | None |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 2,560 acres (4 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 14 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 2800 to 3500 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  None | |
| Mud | None | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Many | |
| Steep Hills |  Few | |
| Water Crossings | None | |
| Small Jumps | Few | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms |  Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Few | |
| Roads | None | |
| Intersections | Few | |
| Rider Traffic | None | |
| Shade | Some | |
| Ranges/Gunfire | Few | |
| Hazards | None | |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SE) | USA Gas (530) 842-6539 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (SE) | USA Gas (530) 842-6539 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Yreka RV Park (530) 841-0100 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Yreka RV Park (530) 841-0100 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Yreka RV Park (530) 841-0100 |
| Campground | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Tree of Heaven Campground (530) 842-6131 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SE) | USA Gas (530) 842-6539 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Pros | free, nice staging area, quiet |
| Cons | long way in, no cell or internet, GPS signal sketchy |
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Yreka, CA | ||
| Address | Humbug Creek Road, Yreka, CA 96097 | ||
| From: Yreka, CA
1) Take CA-263 North about 1 mile 2) Turn left (north-west) onto Hawkinsville Humbug Road, continue 2.2 miles 3) Veer right at fork to stay on Hawkinsville Humbug Road (should see sign for Humbug OHV Area), continue 3.7 miles (first sharp uphill turn after sign) 4) After crossing bridge turn left (west) onto Humbug Creek Road, continue 2.6 miles 5) Veer right (west) to stay on Humbug Creek Road (you will see a sign for Hawkinsville/Klamath River), continue .2 miles 6) Staging area is on the right (north). **Note: The main entrance road is wide and maintained but has a few sharp switchbacks. Wide trailers are not not recommended. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Klamath National Forest - Oak Knoll Ranger District 63822 Highway 96 Happy Camp, CA 96039-0377 (530) 493-2243 klamathinfo@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov |
Humbug Trail Photo
The staging area has gravel parking, vault toilets, informational kiosk, loading ramps and two designated campsites.
Humbug Trail Photo
This is a good place to bring the dirt bikes for some decent woods riding.
Humbug Trail Photo
This area has 14 miles of designated ATV trails that form several loops through a mixed pine tree forest.
Humbug Trail Photo
A picnic table is located near the youth training area.
Humbug Trail Photo
The is the main entrance sign off Humbug Road. Turn here.
Humbug Trail Photo
There are some decent mountain views to be found.
Humbug Trail Photo
During the summer months the trails can get a little dusty.
Humbug Trail Photo
A scenic view taken a few miles in off Humbug Road.
Humbug Trail Photo
There is plenty of room to park at the staging area.
Humbug Trail Photo
This is the shallow creek that you will pass over when crossing the short bridge. After the bridge turn left (west) at the intersection.
Humbug Trail Photo
There are several picnic tables scattered throughout the area.
Humbug Trail Photo
The trails are in decent condition and appear to be regularly maintained.
Humbug Trail Photo
Another view of the loading ramps.
Humbug Trail Photo
The loading ramps were a little overgrown with weeds and tall grass during the summer of 2018.
Humbug Trail Photo
There are several short but narrow hill climbs near the staging area.
Humbug Trail Photo
A view of of the vault toilet from one of the trails.
Humbug Trail Photo
One of the short but rugged hill climbs near the campground.
Humbug Trail Photo
Another view of an ATV trail winding through a mixed pine tree forest.
Humbug Trail Photo
A view of an ATV trail winding through some pine trees and a section of blackberry bushes.
Humbug Trail Photo
The two campsites each have a picnic table and fire ring. There is some shade here provided by the pine trees.
Humbug Trail Photo
Most of the area is fenced in and marked with brown carsonite trail markers.
Humbug Trail Photo
Most of the trails are hard packed and windy.
Humbug Trail Photo
Brown carsonite markers can be found throughout the trail system. The trails here are open to machines less then 50 inches wide.
Humbug Trail Photo
The staging area and campground are surrounded by wooden fencing.
Humbug Trail Photo
There are several short but rugged hill climbs to tackle.
Humbug Trail Photo
A view inside the vault toilet at Humbug OHV Area.
Humbug Trail Photo
The youth training area is fenced off but was a little overgrown with tall grass and weeds when we visited.
Humbug Trail Photo
One of the short but narrow hill climbs.
Humbug Trail Photo
This is a good view of the type of terrain that you will find here.
Humbug Trail Photo
Another view of the ATV trails. There are some light to moderate elevation changes for all skill levels.
Humbug Trail Photo
Most of the trails have shade due to the various mature pine trees.
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS