Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Richardson Grove State Park
Fifteen miles to the north of Leggett, and bisected by the Eel River, serene
Richardson
Many trees are over 1000 years old and 300ft tall, but there aren't many hiking trails. In
winter, there's good fishing for silver and king salmon. For the last few years, CalTrans has
been considering widening the road through Richardson Grove, which has sparked an in-
tense protest.
The
visitor center
( 707-247-3318; 9am-2pm)
sells books inside a 1930s lodge, which
often has a fire going during cool weather. The park is primarily a
campground
( reser-
vations 800-444-7275;
www.reserveamerica.com
;
tent & RV sites $35)
with three separate areas
with hot showers; some remain open year-round. Summer-only Oak Flat on the east side of
the river is shady and has a sandy beach.
Benbow Lake
On the Eel River, 2 miles south of Garberville, the 1200-acre
Benbow Lake State Recre-
ation Area
( summer 707-923-3238, winter 707-923-3318; per car $8)
exists when a seasonal
dam forms the 26-acre Benbow Lake, mid-June to mid-September. In mid-August, avoid
swimming in the lake or river until two weeks after the
Reggae on the River
festival, when
25,000 people use the river as a bathtub. The water is cleanest in early summer. You can
avoid the day use fee by parking near the bridge and walking down to the river. According
to a ranger, you can float from here all the way through the redwood groves along the Aven-
ue of the Giants.
Sleeping
Campground
CAMPGROUND
( reservations 800-444- 7275;
www.reserveamerica.com
;
tent & RV sites $35)
The year-round riverside campground is subject to wintertime bridge closures due to flood-
ing. This part of the Eel has wide banks and is also excellent for swimming and sunbathing.
