What's the cleanest river in California?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

The Smith River, located in the extreme northwestern corner of California within Del Norte County, is widely celebrated as the cleanest and most pristine free-flowing river in the state. Protected largely within the boundaries of the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National and State Parks, the river features crystal-clear turquoise waters fed by heavy mountain rain and snowmelt, supporting thriving wild salmon and steelhead trout populations completely unpolluted by major industrial agricultural runoff.

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