Major city · United States
Mad River
One day is enough: drive from nearby towns, see the river and surrounding forest, then return.
Mad River is a tiny community in Trinity County, California, best reached by car on Highway 36. Its attractions are limited to the river, nearby trails and the local eatery, so a single day visit from a nearby base (Hayfork or Redding) is sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible road closures)
- Airports
- RDD · ACV · SMF
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mad River911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mad River, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; main risks are remote location, limited cell coverage and winter road conditions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRDD Redding Regional Airport (Nearest commercial airport; about 1 h 15 min by car via Highway 36 and I-5 (check)).
- Getting aroundCar is essential; Highway 36 connects US‑101 (west) and I‑5 (east).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedMotel in Hayfork, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel in Hayfork, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel in Hayfork, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RDD Redding Regional Airport (Nearest commercial airport; about 1 h 15 min by car via Highway 36 and I-5 (check)) · ACV California Redwood Coast–Humboldt County Airport, Arcata (About 2 h by car via US-101 and Highway 36 (check)) · SMF Sacramento International Airport (About 3 h 30 min by car via I-5 and Highway 36 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mad River: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; Highway 36 connects US‑101 (west) and I‑5 (east). No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hayfork
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Drive west on Highway 36, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Drive west on Highway 36, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Base for accommodation and supplies.
Red Bluff
cautionDoor to door: ≈35 min
Drive east on Highway 36 to I‑5, then south, about 30 km (19 mi)Drive east on Highway 36 to I‑5, then south, about 19 mi (30 km)
Check road conditions in winter.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hayfork
Closest town with motels and B&Bs, about 5 km (3.1 mi) east on Highway 36 (check availability).Closest town with motels and B&Bs, about 3.1 mi (5 km) east on Highway 36 (check availability).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel in Hayfork1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$70 | US$140 |
| Gas for the drive in and out2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Meal at The Burger Bar2 × US$25 · Call in your order before you arrive. | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$30 |
| Trip total≈ US$165 per person per day, bed included | US$330 |
About 5 km east on Highway 36; book ahead in summer.
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at The Burger BarCall in your order before you arrive or expect a wait. | $20–30 |
| Gas (per gallon)2026 estimate; Trinity County stations run above the state average. | $4.50–5.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be icy in winter; check conditions before travel.
- Limited services in Mad River; bring food and water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mad RiverMad River
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates here; the nearest are in San Francisco. US travellers: 911 for emergencies.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hayfork → Mad River (car): about 5 km (3.1 mi), roughly $5–7 of fuelabout 3.1 mi (5 km), roughly $5–7 of fuel
Say or show
- Where is the river? — Where is the river?
- How much is a meal? — How much is a meal?
Cell coverage is patchy along Highway 36; download offline maps before you drive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mad River. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible road closures) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a campsite option near the river (check local regulations).
- Link to Trinity County outdoor recreation pages.
Sources
Ask about Mad River
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