The route begins at a junction with
State Route 299, the Trinity Highway, in
Willow Creek. It heads north, following the Trinity River downstream through
Hoopa, and exiting the
Trinity National Forest near its confluence with the
Klamath River at
Weitchpec. At Weitchpec, the route intersects
State Route 169 and turns northeast into the
Six Rivers National Forest. The highway passes through
Orleans and turns more northerly after intersecting Salmon River Road. Passing through
Happy Camp, SR 96 enters the
Klamath National Forest. After passing through
Gottsville, the route exits the national forest. It intersects
State Route 263, which heads south toward
Yreka. SR 96 then turns north. Passing the Randolf Collier Safety Roadside Rest Area, the route meets its terminus at
Interstate 5. SR 96 is not part of the
National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the
Federal Highway Administration. SR 96 is eligible for the
State Scenic Highway System, but it is not officially designated as a scenic highway by the
California Department of Transportation. The segment of SR 96 from Willow Creek to Happy Camp is designated as the Bigfoot Scenic Byway, a
National Forest Scenic Byway that goes through a region boasting the most sightings of
Bigfoot in the United States. ==Major intersections==