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Northern California Region
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
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Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park © T Walker
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park © redwoodcoaster / CC BY 2.0
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park © daveynin / CC BY 2.0
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park © daveynin / CC BY 2.0
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GRIZZLY CREEK REDWOODS STATE PARK
GRIZZLY CREEK REDWOODS STATE PARK
16949 California 36
Carlotta, California   95528
(lat:40.4867 lon:-123.9051) map location

Phone: 707-777-3683
Reservations: 707-777-3683
Email: park email button icon
The redwoods in the Grizzly Creek area were what inspired Owen R. Cheatham, founder of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, to preserve this site in perpetuity.

The Cheatham Grove is an exceptional stand of coast redwoods. The park is a quiet place to camp, hike, fish, swim and picnic. The Van Duzen River flows beside the campground.

30 campsites, canoe and kayaking, fishing & swimming in Van Duzen River, group camp &/or picnic area, 4.5 miles of hiking trails, horse shoe pit, environmental camp, visitor center with exhibits and bookstore.

Although Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park covers only a few acres, it is large enough to provide a sense of seclusion, and it receives so few visitors that on a weekday it is possible to be the only person in one of its groves of coast redwoods.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing

Inland/coastal/temperate. Summer 70-80. Winter 40-50. Dress for rain Nov.-May with up to 65" annually.

Adjacent visitor attractions

Victorian village of Ferndale and Ft. Humboldt to the north. Humboldt Redwoods SP with Avenue of the Giants to the south, Ruth Lake to the east.

History of the Area
Located in California, the park was established in 1943. It spans over 430 acres and is home to ancient redwood trees. The land was donated by Owen R Cheatham, founder of Georgia-Pacific Corporation. He intended for it to be a living memorial to his family's love for these towering giants.

The area has been used as filming locations due its scenic beauty; notably "Return of Jedi" from Star Wars series filmed scenes here.

Despite threats like logging activities or budget cuts threatening closure, the park remains open today offering camping and hiking opportunities among majestic Redwoods.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Camping
- Cheatham Grove Campground: Offers 28 campsites, picnic tables, fire rings and restrooms with flush toilets.

- Group Camping Area: Accommodates up to 50 people.

- Day Use Picnic Areas: Available for daytime camping only.


Location
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is located near Eureka, Fortuna

Trails
Memorial, Baird Trails

1.5 miles round trip longer hikes possible

One of the smallest of California's coast redwoods state parks, Grizzly Creek is also farthest from the coast - nearly 30 miles. Its location far from Highway 101/Avenue of The Giants tourist route, means few visitors discover the park's 300-foot redwoods or the six short trails that visit them.

The park is tucked in the Van Duzen River Valley, where Grizzly Creek meets the Van Duzen River. This locale may be remote, but lmmaker George Lucas found one of the park's virgin redwood groves so appealing he used the location in his Star Wars sequel, Return of the Jedi.

The park is located on Highway 36, a remote byway that links such out-of-the-way places as Mad River, Forest Glen, Wildwood and Beegum as it winds through the forest from Highway 101 to Interstate 5. So remote is this road, that it's difcult to believe that until 1918, before the completion of 101, this little road was the major route of travel between San Francisco and Eureka.

Worth a stop is Cheatham Grove, a stand of virgin redwoods located three miles west of the main part of the state park. A short loop trail explores the grove where six wonderful environmental campsites are located. They are more tranquil than those at Grizzly Creek Campground.

The park's fern-lined trails meander among the old-growth and second-growth redwoods. A nature trail interprets local ora.

During summer, the low water level permits installation of a footbridge across the Van Duzen River. The bridge gives access to 1.25 mile long Memorial Trail which loops through the forest. From Devil's Elbow, a bend in the river, hikers get a good view of the river and the park.

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Area Campgrounds
Ancient Redwoods RV Park
28101 Avenue of the Giants
Redcrest, CA
707-722-4396
Redcrest Resort
26459 Avenue of the Giants
Redcrest, CA
707-722-4208
Riverwalk RV Park
2189 Riverwalk Drive
Fortuna, CA
707-725-3359
River's Edge RV Park
620 Davis Street
Rio Dell, CA
707-764-5420
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is 20 miles southeast of Eureka on HWY 101, then 17 miles east of HWY 36. Latitude/Longitude: 40.4842 / -123.9056.

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California
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California State Parks

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