Happy Camp, CA Chamber Of Commerce

Welcome to this official website of the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce in Happy Camp, California. 

Come see our  "Visitor Information Center" and Chamber of Commerce Office at 35 Davis Road, Happy Camp.

Watch Happy Camp, CA videos at our
Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce
YouTube Account!

Our Mission Statement:   To promote and encourage business, commerce, and quality of life for the citizens of Happy Camp and the Highway 96, Klamath River Corridor.

Happy Camp History

Happy Camp is located at the top of California in Siskiyou County deep in the heart of the Klamath National Forest and on the banks of the Klamath River at the confluence of Indian and Elk Creeks.

The people of the Karuk Tribe, meaning “upriver” people, have lived here since before history. In July 1851 a group of prospectors arrived from downriver, prospecting as they came and made camp here. They named the camp “Happy Camp” and that became the name of the town that grew up here. Many other sites of gold discovery became ghost towns, but Happy Camp endured.

Miners at Thompson Creek area saw a large, ape-like creature which scared the Chinese miners, so that they wouldn’t go back to work for days. Today modern “Bigfoot” teams camp out and look for the legendary creature with modern technology. If no large apes are found, they’ve at least had a great time camping in the forest.

When mining declined, the lumber industry became the chief occupation. The Klamath National Forest, Happy Camp District, was founded here in 1905. Happy Camp was well known as the "Steelhead Capital of the World!" Fishing and hunting as well as the natural beauty brought visitors, and when the road was completed in 1928 travel became easier

The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway is a memorial to a movement to carve a new state from Oregon and California. Due to the lack of state maintenance of roads and services, a movement to secede from California and Oregon and become the” State of Jefferson” was begun in the 1940’s.This “revolt” was every Thursday but ceased December 7, 1941 with Pearl Harbor when we rejoined our “united” country to help win a war. Mines from the area provided needed resources and the roads were improved to bring them out for the war effort.

When the last large lumber mill, Stone Forest Mill, closed in 1995, the community diversified in small business and recreation opportunities. Visitors and new residents come to escape the congestion of the city for the natural peace of the country life. The government of the Karuk Tribe remains here and provides a great deal of help to all the people of the area. Panning for gold, rafting or kayaking down the Klamath, hiking, biking, backpacking or camping draw many visitors each summer. Viewing wildlife, rock hounding, especially for Happy Camp jade, and a vast array of outdoor family recreation are available. The community is surrounded by wilderness areas: Red Buttes to the east, Siskiyou to the west, Marble Mountains to the south, and Kalmiopsis wilderness by the Oregon Caves to the North in Oregon.

Volunteers from many service and social organizations have a big impact on the community. Hometown festivals, like the Bigfoot Jamboree each Labor Day weekend, provide parades, fun, food and celebrate community values. It’s a friendly little town!

Come and visit, we’d be glad to have you!

The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce Advertising Committee is working on a new Happy Camp Town Map brochure.  It will be posted as a PDF here on the website as soon as it is printed.  All Chamber members will be listed free. Additional advertising spaces are available surrounding the map for only $75.  Please contact the Advertising Committee to reserve your advertising space.

Do you need more information about Happy Camp?

Phone: 530-493-2900

Visit our office at 35 Davis Road - next to the Post Office in Happy Camp

Office Hours: Mon to Sat 10am to 5pm

Mailing Address: PO Box 1188, Happy Camp, CA 96039-1188