Humboldt Redwoods State Park

How to get there: 45 miles south of Eureka and 20 miles north of Garberville - a majority of the park is accessed along Avenue of the Giants. For information call (707) 946-2409.

The Sinkyone Indians who lived in this region for thousands of years, had relatively little impact on the redwood forest. They were hunters and gatherers for whom salmon and tanoak acorns were staples. Redwood planks were used for housing. Redwood root fibers were used for basket making. Redwood logs were used to make canoes. As elsewhere in California, the gold rush changed their way of life forever.

Beginning in 1850, many non-native people began to pass through and settle in the area. They established homesteads, built railroads, and developed large-scale logging operations to harvest the trees.

In 1917, the organizers of the Save-the-Redwoods League visited the area and saw that the magnificent redwood forests of this area would be lost within a few years unless something was done to save them. Their concern and foresight led to the creation of the League in 1918. Through their efforts, the first acres were purchased, legislation was established that led to the development of a statewide system of parks, and the first state park bond act provided $6 million in matching funds for the acquisition of additional redwood forest lands.

Today, Humboldt Redwoods State Park includes more than 52,000 acres offering magnificent groves of old growth coast redwoods. The park offers: more than 100 miles of hiking trails; fishing canoeing and swimming in the Eel River; family, group, horse, bicycle and backpack camps; a visitor center with exhibits and bookstore; scenic drives; and seasonal interpretive programs such as campfires, nature walks, and Junior Ranger programs.

There are three campgrounds offering 250 campsites that can accommodate tents and up to 24 foot trailers and 33 foot motor homes. Burlington Campground is open year round - reservable May-September. Albee Creek and Hidden Springs Campgrounds are open mid-May through mid-September. There are no hookups in any of the campgrounds. Reservations can be made by calling Destinet at (800) 444-7275.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park in a nutshell:

Visitation: 750,000/year.
Location/Directions: 45 miles south of Eureka along the Avenue of the Giants.
Address: P.O. Box 100, Weott CA 95571
Telephone: (707) 946-2409
Operating hours/seasons: Open all year. Day use-sunrise to sunset.
Climate/recommended clothing: Inland/coastal/temperate. Summer 80-90. Winter 40-50. Dress for rain Nov.-May with up to 65 inches annually.
Travel Directions: 45 miles south of Eureka and 20 miles north of Garberville.
Fees/costs/rates: Car campsites - off season $14, on season $16. Showers need quarters. Backpack, horse, environmental camps $11/night - on season, $9/night - off season, bicycle camps $3/person. Day-use $5/car. Senior citizens receive $2 discount on camping and $1 discount on day use.
Facilities: 100+ miles of hiking, horse, nature and bicycle trails. Visitor center with exhibits and bookstore, auto tour, picnic areas, Avenue of the Giants, fishing, canoeing and swimming in the Eel River.
Reservations/permits: Recommended for family and group car camps during summer season. Not available during rest of year. Backpack, horse, environmental and bicycle camps are first come-first serve all year.
Basic visit recommendations: Stop in the visitor center for exhibits, books and directions. Visit Founders Grove and drive along the Avenue of the Giants.
Special events/programs: Marathons in May and October, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, nature walks, campfire programs, Junior Ranger programs daily in summer season.
Visitor impacts: Avenue of Giants heavily used in July and August. Rest of park lighter use.
Adjacent visitor attractions: Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, Richardson Grove State Park to the south. Victorian village of Ferndale, Fort Humboldt State Park and Pacific Lumber Co. mill tour at Scotia to the north.

Additional North Coast Redwoods District State Parks links:

[Azalea State Reserve]
[Benbow Lake State Recreation Area]
[Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park]
[Fort Humboldt State Historic Park]
[Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Standish - Hickey State Recreation Area]
[Humboldt Redwoods State Park]
[Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park]
[Humboldt Lagoons State Park]
[Lake Earl State Park]
[Patrick's Point State Park]
[Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Richardson Grove State Park]
[Sinkyone Wilderness State Park]
[Trinidad State Beach]

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