The Ewing Reservoir Trail System offers a concrete starting point for planning: the family-friendly, four-mile loop around the reservoir is a mountain biking route. Hayfork also offers hiking trails, art venues and local food. Nearby, Natural Bridge is a place with its own natural and historical significance.
Trails at Ewing Reservoir
The Ewing Reservoir Trail System in Hayfork is rated easy to moderate. The four-mile loop around the reservoir is a separate, family-friendly mountain biking route. The length and loop describe this route; the difficulty rating applies to the trail system. This means you can consider the route format and stated difficulty range as separate planning points.
Access and parking for the trail system are at Brady County Road 323 and Ewing Reservoir County Road 361. Hayfork also offers hiking trails. If you’re weighing an outing at the reservoir against other things to do in town, you’ll find a specific loop alongside the more general hiking options.
Landscape and History
The Shasta-Trinity National Forest surrounds Hayfork. The town is also connected to the headwaters of the South Fork Trinity River. The forest and river headwaters provide a landscape reference for planning your trails.
One historical connection in Hayfork is the first Trinity County Fair, which took place in town from September 20 to 22, 1921. Natural Bridge is nearby. The rock arch, about 150 feet long and approximately 30 feet high, was the site of the Bridge Gulch Massacre on April 23, 1852, also called the Hayfork Massacre or the Natural Bridge Massacre. Early settlers of Hayfork Valley often used Natural Bridge as a picnic spot. Here, a tragic historical event and a more everyday use of the site stand side by side.
Art, Markets and Local Food
On Highway 3, the Art Shoppe is shared by fine-art photographer and graphic artist Brian Gossman, glass artist Lisa Howell, and metal and graphic artist Ryan Howell. The disciplines represented range from photography and graphic art to glass and metal. If you plan to visit the Art Shoppe, call ahead to check its opening hours.
Artistry Outpost is an artist’s studio featuring pottery and a selection of locally handcrafted art and crafts. If you’re considering a visit, check the latest opening information separately.
There’s live music every week at the Spring Farmers Market in Hayfork. If the market is a fixed point in your travel plans, check the specific dates for the season ahead of time. This lets you account for the recurring music offering without assuming a particular event date.
The Hayfork Valley Coop offers organically grown and locally sourced products. It brings local producers and consumers together to create a stronger local food system, and promotes education about sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Product availability may vary. For travelers interested in regional food and agriculture, the coop offers another perspective on Hayfork’s local character.
Discover more destinations: Coffee Creek, Big Bar, Trinity Center, Weaverville.
For the broader travel overview: Trinity County.
