Length: 2.2 miles
Total ascent: 200 feet
Elevations: 450 – 580 feet
Type: 0% loop
Land Management: County of Humboldt; Willow Creek Community Services District
Fee: $2 if you park in the Kimtu beach lot
Access Constraints: Veterans Park closes from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Dogs: yes
Bicycles: yes
Horses: no
Restrooms: Veterans Park and Kimtu beach day use area
Description: The walk to Veterans Park and Camp Kimtu follows the normally quiet Kimtu Road past the pleasant park before dropping down to a popular summertime beach and swimming area along the Trinity River. With the option of walking over the terrace on the much busier Country Club Road (sufficient shoulder is present on the north side), this walk can easily be extended into commercial Willow Creek.
Directions: This walk can begin at either end. Roadside parking is available on Country Club Drive, which involves a left turn from eastbound CA 299 one block east of the intersection with CA 96. Alternatively, utilize the Camp Kimtu beach parking area ($2 charge) or at Veterans Park at the north end of the walk.
The route: Kimtu and Veterans Park. Walk northeast on the marked north shoulder of Country Club Drive as it quickly climbs the crest of the terrace (0.2) continuing on to the intersection with Kimtu Road (0.4). This road experiences considerable traffic that tends to move along rapidly so care must be taken. There is a reasonable shoulder. At the junction with Kimtu Road, cross over and continue along quieter Kimtu Road. You will pass Veterans Park (0.7) with its picnic area, bathroom, baseball fields, and children’s playground, and continue as the road bends right and begins to descend. The road forks (1.1) with the right branch headed to Camp Kimtu and the left branch dropping to the beach. A bathroom is located in the beach parking area. This is very popular swimming and wading area (1.2). Return the way you came.
WORD OF CAUTION – Swimming in the Trinity River always requires caution as the water is cold, the current is very strong, and it is easy to overestimate your swimming ability. Few summers pass without a drowning along the Trinity River.