Home » Travel & Places » United States » California

Any comments about Happy Camp, CA?

A beautiful town to live in.

From the lens Happy Camp, California.

Let me know what you think of Happy Camp!

  • Estelle "Charley" Wharton May 23, 2012 @ 1:25 pm | delete
    I first knew of Happy Camp as a child because of my dad. I was born in Eureka but grew up in Blue Lake leaving in 1956. Dad was a log truck driver mostly hauling out of Orleans, Somes Bar, Hoopa and Willow Creek. He spoke of H.C. and the Hupa's that talked about Sasquatch. Some times he and other loggers would see unusual foot prints near their log sites.

    I've always been fascinated by the town of Happy Camp but not visiting until much later in my life. I made up stories for my kids when they were they were growing up. One was about "Happy Camp Sam". Years later there was a movie call "Harry and the Hendersons" that was similar.

    My very first visit to H.C. was in the early 80's and we camped some where along Elk Creek. Then in the 90's we visited again on our way back to Oregon going over the mountain on Hwy. 48, a fantastic drive. I want to visit again. Something draws me to the place. It's special, an understatement. The pictures and information that you have presented are wonderful. Thank you.
  • goodgreif May 20, 2012 @ 2:11 pm | delete
    Awesome place but what concerns me is the number of residents that are on the megans list. That scared me have not been back since.
  • Tipi May 4, 2012 @ 1:41 pm | delete
    I would love to visit Happy Camp.
    Looks like fun! :)
  • ldwjefe Apr 2, 2012 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    I spent the summer of 1952 in Happy Camp with my father. I have a picture of him standing in front of the Ranger Station Fire Danger sign - Fire Danger High that day. I spent most of the summer fishing at the mouth of Indian Creek or up at the swimming hole where Indian Creek makes a turn to the east. I met a girl named Rowena there whose parents had a restaurant on the east end of town. The other person I remember was a fellow my age named Leland.

    I used to go to the bar on the south side of 2nd street with my father after he got off work. One day one of the regulars brought in a rattlesnake in a glass jug. He would bet the other customers they couldn't keep their hand on the glass since the rattlesnake struck at anything warm that touched the glass. The fellow with the snake won all of the bets.

    I was always amazed that summer that it was still light at 10 PM most of the summer. Some of us kids would hang out on the 2nd Street Bridge until it was too late to see anymore. It was a nice summer in a place I will never forget.
  • Ddaboss65 Mar 27, 2012 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    I think I would like to go there some day. Please check out my lens on Northern California Coast, I will be adding more story and history as your lens has given me some good insight.
  • daria369 Feb 29, 2012 @ 5:31 pm | delete
    Nice place and great lens, very much enjoyed it! :)
  • CountryGirl Feb 13, 2012 @ 10:11 pm | delete
    Happy Camp is a great place! I love it here! I've lived here all my live! I'm really going to miss it here when I go away to college! But I'll always come back to my river <3 Theres no other place I'd rather be then this river :)
  • kileydogg Feb 12, 2012 @ 11:03 pm | delete
    does it not snow in happy camp? why not a ski resort?
  • CountryGirl Feb 13, 2012 @ 10:04 pm | delete
    Theres prolly some Ski Resorts in the world that are bigger then the town of Happy Camp! lol
  • CubScouter94 Jan 25, 2012 @ 2:12 am | delete
    Great Lens and GREAT PHOTOS! Thanks for sharing! :)
  • Frank Henderson Jan 24, 2012 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    When i was a little guy I went to the Heads house for a cub scott meeting and we all got to get in the cement pool. Myself, Roy Sutcliffe and Bobby Head.
  • cffutah Jan 16, 2012 @ 6:54 pm | delete
    great write up on Happy Camp! I'm from California and I enjoyed reading this today.
  • CatJB Dec 22, 2011 @ 7:07 am | delete
    Wow, that was really interesting, thank you!
  • Michey Jun 15, 2011 @ 9:14 am | delete
    Great lens with a lot of history facts, I love it! I'll feature in my Ghost town Body lens
    Regards
  • d-artist Jun 11, 2011 @ 8:25 pm | delete
    I remember years ago when I lived in California driving through Happy Camp...I'm glad it's coming back.
  • mbgphoto Apr 26, 2011 @ 8:18 am | delete
    Interesting lens...blessed
  • HarmonyArtMom Feb 9, 2011 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    Excellent lens about an interesting place. I have seen the signs but never stopped...now I will. :)

    Adding to my favorites and adding a blessing.
    ***Blessed by an Angel***
  • jeanwolf50 Jan 27, 2011 @ 11:57 pm | delete
    I had a friend that moved to Happy Camp when I was in 5th grade. I never knew where it was. What a great place.
  • paperfacets Nov 17, 2010 @ 1:39 pm | delete
    This area of CA is so wild. I love it. So much like wilderness, Not like old Pasadena. is it?
  • MarkUpshaw Nov 9, 2010 @ 1:29 am | delete
    Great job on this lens. I enjoyed reading it.
  • Lisa-Marie-Mary Oct 4, 2010 @ 11:26 am | delete
    I really, really enjoyed walking through your town with you! Thank you for taking me along with you!!! :-D
  • kiwisoutback Oct 1, 2010 @ 9:10 am | delete
    I think I've seen this town on the map when I was travelling in the Redwoods area of Northern California. It sounds very familiar. I'm lensrolling this to my Idyllwild, CA lens (which is much further south near the Coachella Valley).
  • SeanToly Sep 14, 2010 @ 7:55 pm | delete
    That was an amazing trip down memory lane.. Thank you very much. I lived in Happy Camp from 1972 to 1984. My mom worked at the Forest Service. Those pictures brought a bit of a tear to my eye, I had such fun times with my friends on our bikes, or inner-tubing, or just plain hanging out. The square concrete spa we used to call it has been there forever, I remember it since 2nd grade, I think we all thought it was some sort of spa. however it was so porous and looked like an old pigeon stoop, no one was willing to fill it with water to see if it held and then sit in it., It was kind of gross. and if you wanted to go swimming Indian creek was right there. There where so many great swimming holes in Happy Camp.
    It is amazing to see my friend Andreas Goldau's family business gone, and my other buddy, John Anderson, his building is right next to the old Red Barn, It used to be called Fishings my Thing. I went to school with Rick Boren who's dad ran that automotive shop. We lived in the house behind the Hall's market that burned down. Across the street from the Liquor store. Amazing changes, thanks again for such a great display. I will keep checking back to see the new high school updating,. Wow back in the day, Mr Clark was the principle, and the teachers Hokanson, Trestrail, Sullivan, Fogle, and Kuffman, , big smiles here, great memories.
    I also remember that truck, there are several around town, including the one that used to sit in the alley behind the burnt Halls market.
    For all of the other class of 84 alumni that are reading this comment and have seen these photos, remember Hokanson used to make us run that 3 mile loop ( we recognize in your pictures ) during PE, who'd a given a thought then that it would help shape who we are now. I used to think he was torturing us slightly,.. Props to Happy Camp High.
    Then after school we would hang out at the hamburger place where my friend Anthony's mom worked, we spent many a quarters on space invaders and playing pool or snooker.
    It seems amazing I would reflect on those moments as the best of times, they sure where.
  • SeanToly Sep 14, 2010 @ 7:53 pm | delete
    That was an amazing trip down memory lane.. Thank you very much. I lived in Happy Camp from 1972 to 1984. My mom worked at the Forest Service. Those pictures brought a bit of a tear to my eye, I had such fun times with my friends on our bikes, or inner-tubing, or just plain hanging out. The square concrete spa we used to call it has been there forever, I remember it since 2nd grade, I think we all thought it was some sort of spa. however it was so porous and looked like an old pigeon stoop, no one was willing to fill it with water to see if it held and then sit in it., It was kind of gross. and if you wanted to go swimming Indian creek was right there. There where so many great swimming holes in Happy Camp.
    It is amazing to see my friend Andreas Goldau's family business gone, and my other buddy, John Anderson, his building is right next to the old Red Barn, It used to be called Fishings my Thing. I went to school with Rick Boren who's dad ran that automotive shop. We lived in the house behind the Hall's market that burned down. Across the street from the Liquor store. Amazing changes, thanks again for such a great display. I will keep checking back to see the new high school updating,. Wow back in the day, Mr Clark was the principle, and the teachers Hokanson, Trestrail, Sullivan, Fogle, and Kuffman, , big smiles here, great memories.
    I also remember that truck, there are several around town, including the one that used to sit in the alley behind the burnt Halls market.
    For all of the other class of 84 alumni that are reading this comment and have seen these photos, remember Hokanson used to make us run that 3 mile loop ( we recognize in your pictures ) during PE, who'd a given a thought then that it would help shape who we are now. I used to think he was torturing us slightly,.. Props to Happy Camp High.
    Then after school we would hang out at the hamburger place where my friend Anthony's mom worked, we spent many a quarters on space invaders and playing pool or snooker.
    It seems amazing I would reflect on those moments as the best of times, they sure where.
  • RitaKing Apr 27, 2010 @ 12:00 pm | delete
    Congratulations on this piece it is really well done!
    The old truck was moved to the corner of Indian Creek and Davis Road by a group of community volunteers. The truck is the base for Cheryl Wainwright's newest sculpture. The project has taken two years . We are very close to erecting the first phase. Volunteers have been collecting metal items used in the lumber industry, saw blades, chainsaw bars, and huge chains to create this sculpture. The theme of her creation will be "Happy Camp Renewal." The piece will be a huge welcome sign greeting our visitors from the Oregon side. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information about the "Welcome to Happy Camp" project. Please contact Rita King , Bigfoot RV Park and Cabins 530-493-2884. Again, Linda Thank you so much for creating this site.
  • mstacy Jan 14, 2010 @ 8:50 am | delete
    the thing you asked what is this well at one time thay used it for hold water then it become the Head kids swimming pool when thay were little the Head family kids where friends of mine Tommy more then Bobby
  • jlstacy420 Jan 13, 2010 @ 3:47 pm | delete
    I really enjoyed seeing Happy Camp, the last time I saw it was when I was there back in 1999, and before that was when we moved away in 1997, Can't believe how much it has changed over the years and thanks for the great tour brought back loads of good memories of me growing up there.
  • Jewelsofawe Jan 12, 2010 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    Wow! Great lens and pictures! Blessed by an angel!
  • flowergardener Jan 11, 2010 @ 11:38 pm | delete
    Lovely! Your pictures brought back many happy memories of camping and hunting each year in the Siskiyou mountains.

    Oh yea, I think that cement thing looks like a fish breeding/keeping tub. I recently saw a show on tv about Koi farmers in southern calif, and they had many many 'bins' like that holding the different fish.
  • poutine Oct 7, 2009 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    I really enjoyed this virtual trip to Happy Camp, California.

    Poutine
  • saritajain86 Sep 24, 2009 @ 2:31 am | delete
    Fantastic lens...
  • LindaJM Sep 21, 2009 @ 12:05 am | delete
    Barb, the best seasons here are spring and fall. Try to avoid heatwaves and snow.
  • BarbRad Sep 3, 2009 @ 5:49 am | delete
    I'm glad you mentioned Dear Mad'm. I loved it when I read it several years ago. It was my introduction to Happy Camp. It sounds like somewhere I'd want to spend a vacation. Maybe I will -- if I ever have time for a vacation. When is the best season to visit? I don't think I'd choose fire season.
  • clouda9 Aug 17, 2009 @ 1:53 am | delete
    I love small town America! You have done Happy Camp much justice here! Kudos and thanks for the tour.
  • ArtByLinda Aug 2, 2009 @ 10:01 pm | delete
    This is wonderful, we just drove by happy camp! You pictures all look familiar to me. That area is so beautiful! Nice lens!
  • LaraineRose Jul 29, 2009 @ 5:35 am | delete
    What a fabulous lens. We have relatives in Clear Lake, Ca is Happy Camp anywhere near there? I grew up in a small town in B.C. Life really speeds up when you move to a city. I sort of like small towns and I really loved this lens! If it was in my power to give you a purple star, you'd have it. 5*s instead.
  • LindaJM Jul 21, 2009 @ 2:15 am | in reply to kimmanleyort | delete
    I've never seen any kind of owl here as long as I've lived here! However I have seen mountain lions... once on my front porch! And I've seen a huge bear walk past my kitchen window at night. Once when I was out walking a bear walked across the highway about 50 yards in front of me. That's why I prefer to take my walks in town unless I have company.
  • Tanya Armstrong Apr 10, 2012 @ 2:04 pm | delete
    Hey, Linda. There are definitely owls living here, but you only see (or hear) them at night. They go into hiding during the day.

    In 2002 or 2003, there was a family of small owls (don't know which species) being raised in my fireplace chimney. For 2-3 months in the spring, we could hear the cheep-cheep-cheep of the chicks, asking the mommy-owl to be the next one to get fed beak-to-beak.

    There are also really large barn owls here. A couple of times since I moved here, I've gone out onto the deck at night and an owl with a 3' wing span, that had been sitting on the edge of the roof, swooped off the roof, right over my head, and flew into the night. Scared the you-know-what out of me!

    I, too, have seen many, many bears, several mountain lions, bobcats, fisher martens, elk and otters while living here. A very large blue heron just flew by my window, just behind the monitor! I feel very privileged to be living in my own private nature preserve. How many people can do that these days?

    I want to compliment you on this site, very readable and informative; just saw it for the first time. I never knew that Karuk means upriver and Yurok means downriver. Keep up the good work. Hope you got your taxes in on time.
  • JustBon-Crochet-Designs Jul 21, 2009 @ 1:27 am | delete
    Really enjoyed my virtual tour of Happy Camp! Beautiful lens :)
  • Tanya Armstrong Apr 10, 2012 @ 1:44 pm | delete
    Hi. I live 10 miles from Happy Camp. Been here since 2000. I too am a mad crocheter, selling at local crafts fairs in the fall and online around the world. A new crafts group has been formed that will meet every Wednesday evening in the old log cabin school, now called the Senior Center. I missed the first one because I just heard about it, but I plan on going from now on, to have company while creating garments or freehand artistic sculptures. Do you have such a crafty group where you live? Keep up the good work!
  • Ramkitten Jul 20, 2009 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    Wow, what a walk! Love the layout and photos, especially that one of your son on the old, overgrown truck. Too bad it was moved. And I've heard of the Klamath River but never the town of Happy Camp. Looks like a place I'd love to see, so if or when we're on a road trip and pass through northern California, I'm stopping by. I made a note of it in our road atlas.
  • JaguarJulie Jul 20, 2009 @ 3:58 pm | delete
    Wow! This is ONE humdinger of a lens and a walk -- I see you decided to take that walk on my birthday too! Nicely done my dear!
  • Val_Bonney Jul 20, 2009 @ 10:03 am | delete
    A virtual trip to Happy Camp is always a pleasure, Linda ... this one is exceptional, thank you! xx
  • kimmanleyort Jul 19, 2009 @ 7:23 pm | delete
    This is a spectacular lens! Great idea to take us on a walk. The photos really made me feel like I was there. Any spotted owls?
  • bdkz Jul 19, 2009 @ 7:01 pm | delete
    Beautiful!
  • capriliz Jul 19, 2009 @ 2:13 pm | delete
    I just love your lens. And your bigfoot and grasshopper just make it all the better. I know now that I have to update my home travel lens. I see that I can add lots more to improve the lens itself.
  • lakeerieartists Jul 19, 2009 @ 1:59 pm | delete
    Hi Linda, this is a really interesting lens about a place I didn't know anything about. I like how you transposed the beauty with the boarded up buildings. There are so many places like this in the U.S. that with a little work could be brought back to life. You are lucky to have so many gorgeous views from your home. Blessed by an Angel.

by

LindaJM

Loving Happy Camp!
Bigfoot Sightings more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags