Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations Questions

Yes. Reservations are now made for specific campsite numbers.  When you make a reservation, you are reserving a specific campsite number.

When you make a reservation through Reserve America, you only pay for the first vehicle. Fees for any additional vehicles are collected at the park when you arrive. There is no extra vehicle fee charged for a legally towed trailer or "tow car."

Reserve America accepts reservations anywhere from 48 hours up to 7 months in advance. If you want to come camping tomorrow, you have to take your chances on getting a site. Although all our campsites are subject to reservation, there are times when it is less busy and every campsite in the campground has not been reserved. This tends to happen more in the early and late season - early May and late September.

Not in the developed campgrounds or environmental camps. We don't hold sites. Often, especially in the off-season when it is not busy, there are sites that are not reserved. However, at any time of year, if you arrive without a reservation, and there is a site available that has not been reserved, we will sell it to you.

Camping Questions

We cannot hold campsites. When you make a reservation, we will hold on to a campsite for you until noon the day after you are due to arrive. If we don't hear from you, we consider you a "no show" and can sell the campsite to someone else. It is best to call the park and let us know if you think you will be arriving later than expected so we will know to keep your site for you.

Most of the campsites will hold one or two vehicles. Some will hold more. There is a fee per night for each vehicle in addition to the first one. (There is no extra fee for legally towed vehicles.) Your reservation pays for the first vehicle only. Extra vehicle fees are paid at the park.

The campsites are all similar, however, those designated for motorhomes or trailers have longer parking areas to accommodate larger vehicles.  The only real difference between sites of different types is the length of the parking area. Motorhomes need the larger area and room to maneuver into the site. If you are staying in a motorhome site, you can still set up tents.

We usually only allow this in the off-season when there are not as many motorhomes who need the sites. It is easy to park a smaller vehicle in a motorhome site, but the motorhomes cannot park in the smaller sites. That's why we usually don't put tent campers in motorhome sites during the busiest times of year. During less busy times, we can be more flexible and tent campers can stay in the motorhome sites.

There are no hot springs in Hidden Springs. The "hidden" springs are actually seeps. In summer, they are mostly dried up. The ones that you see will probably look like just damp places on the ground.

No, none of the campgrounds are directly on the water. This is due to the fluctuation in water level in the winter. Frequent winter flooding makes building campgrounds right next to the water impossible. It is not far to walk to the river from any of our campgrounds. It is also possible to drive to the gravel bars along the river at some locations. Four wheel drive is highly recommended and driving onto the gravel bars is only possible when the gates are open, usually in summer. Driving in the river, or across the river, is not allowed in the state park.

No camping is allowed outside the developed campgrounds anywhere in the park.

The state park does not have cabins for rent, however, there are some private establishments that rent small cabins. Redcrest Resort in the town of Redcrest is one of these. There are also cabins available at the KOA campground in Fortuna. Patrick's Point State Park no longer has a cabin or yurt for rent.

Dog Questions

No, dogs may not be on any trails in the park. They may be on paved roads and in developed campgrounds only.

No. They may be on paved roads and in developed campgrounds only.

Within the state park, dogs are not allowed on trails or in the river. In late summer, the Eel River often gets blooms of blue-green algae, which is poisonous to dogs. For more information about the blue-green algae and its effect on dogs, see the press release from the Humboldt County Environmental Health Division web site. Also see the 2003 press release from the same source.

No, the fire roads are unpaved backcountry access roads and dogs are not allowed on them.

No, dogs must be on a leash and under their owner's control at all times.

Swimming Questions

During the late summer, the water level drops and the water moves slowly. This causes the water temperature to rise. By late July and August, there is usually a large amount of algae growing in the shallower and slower moving water. There are certain areas in the river with deeper "swimming holes" and these are the best places to swim. Swimming in the winter or early spring is NOT advised due to swift currents and high water flows. There are no lifeguards on duty anywhere in the park. Swimming is always at your own risk. Be sure to stay with your group and don't enter deep water if you can't swim. The river has very shallow as well as very deep areas and the changes in depth can be sudden. There are also logs, rocks, and other submerged objects in the water. Never dive or jump into the river.

There are good swimming holes located at the following locations (see park map or get directions at the campground or visitor center):

* California Federation of Women's Clubs Grove (hike-in from parking lot - 2 minute walk)
* Hidden Springs River Trail (hike-in from campground - 10-15 minute walk)
* Williams Grove (hike-in from parking lot - 2 minute walk)
* Burlington River Bar (hike-in from campground - 10 minute walk)
* Leatherwood Bar (walk-in from parking area - 2 minute walk OR 4WD only vehicle access)
* Dyerville River Bar (walk-in from parking area - 5 minute walk OR 4WD only vehicle access)
* Gould Bar (walk-in from parking area - 2 minute walk OR 4WD only vehicle access)

Fishing Questions

Check the Fish and Game web site for current regulations. In general, the regulations on the South Fork Eel River are:

• Barbless hooks only
• Catch-and-release only
• No lures
• Salmon and steelhead must be put back
• No fishing is allowed on the tributaries of the Eel River, including Bull Creek and all its tributaries.

Available at Brown's Sporting Goods in Garberville (26 miles south), or Grundman's in Rio Dell (22 miles north).

Hazards Questions

West Nile was recently confirmed in a raven in the county. See the press release from the Humboldt County Environmental Health Division web site.

The park is home to various species, including mountain lions, black bears, scorpions, rattlesnakes, wasps and hornets, and black widow spiders. Although these animals are rarely seen or encountered by visitors, it is always wise to take any precautions normally taken when visiting the homes of these animals. For tips and photos, see the flora and fauna page.

No. There are a few places where there are exposed rocks during low flows. The Eel River is fed by springwater runoff in the summer and there are very few places where there is swift water. The water flow slows down greatly in summer and there are many shallow areas. During late summer, canoeing or kayaking on the river is not practical due to the extreme low flow.

The park is home to poison oak, which can cause a rash if contact is made with the plant. Poison hemlock, which is extremely toxic, is also found growing in some areas. During the winter months, many mushrooms and fungi grow. Berries of many different species are found in the park during summer, but not all are edible varieties. Deadly nightshade is one of the varieties found here. All plants in the park are protected, so no foraging is allowed. Nor is it recommended that anyone sample wild edibles in the park. For photos of some of these plants, see the flora and fauna page.

Wildlife Questions

A partial list includes mountain lion, bobcat, black bear, gray fox, coyote, porcupine, otter, opossum, mink, striped skunk, spotted skunk, weasel, various bats, various owl species, Steller's jay, scrub jay, raven, chipmunk, gray squirrel, Douglas squirrel, ground squirrel, black-tailed deer, wild pig (non-native), wild turkey (non-native), salmon, steelhead, pikeminnow, various newts and salamanders, banana slugs, and many more. For more about the park's wildlife, visit the flora and fauna page.

No, hunting is not allowed anywhere in the state park. Firearms of any kind are also not allowed, even if they are unloaded.

Boating Questions

You can bring canoes or kayaks or inflatable rafts. The best time to do canoeing or kayaking is in the spring when there is still high enough water flow to make longer paddle trips possible. In summer, the water flow is low and the river is very shallow in many places, making portaging your craft frequently necessary.

No camping is allowed outside the developed campgrounds in the park. If you are planning an overnight boat trip, it is best to plan to take out near one of the campgrounds and stay there at night. Burlington and Hidden Springs are not too far from the river, although Burlington would be the better choice as far as level of difficulty to carry boats up from the shore. Contact the park or visitor center if you plan such a trip and we may be able to give better advice over the phone or via email to help you plan.

Tree Questions

There are three "Drive Thru" trees located in the general area. The closest one to the park is located in the town of Myers Flat, about one mile north of Hidden Springs Campground, and four miles south of Burlington Campground and the Visitor Center (on the Avenue of the Giants).

This tree was located in Yosemite National Park and fell in 1969. It was widely known and many photos of it are still around.

The biggest trees in the park are located in the Rockefeller Forest area. It contains approximately 40 of the world's tallest trees.

368.9 feet tall

The Stratosphere Giant, located in Rockefeller Forest, is the tallest tree in the park. There is no trail to this tree. It is a relatively recent discovery.

The largest and tallest trees in the park are located primarily in the Rockefeller Forest, which is 10,000 acres of ancient redwoods. The park contains over 17,000 acres of ancient old growth redwoods, or approximately 32 percent of the area encompassed by the entire park.

Park Location Questions

All three of the developed campgrounds in the park are within walking distance of either the South Fork Eel River or Bull Creek. Albee Creek Campground is about a five minute walk from Bull Creek. From Burlington Campground, it is about a ten minute walk to the river. From Hidden Springs, the walk is about ten to fifteen minutes.

No, it is located inland.

Driving distance to the ocean is approximately 40 miles. The closest ocean access point would be at Centerville Beach County Park, near Ferndale.

It is about 275 miles from San Francisco and can take five hours or more.

From the Visitor Center, it is about 45 miles to Eureka.

From the Visitor Center, it is about 30 miles to Fortuna.

Services Questions

There are very few restaurants on the Avenue of the Giants, and many of them are only open seasonally. If you visit during winter or early spring, these establishments may still be closed for the season. Peak season of operation is summer.

Some of the restaurants are located in the following communities:
 

• Redcrest
• Myers Flat
• Miranda
• Phillipsville

There is a gas station in Miranda, and gas pumps in Phillipsville and Redcrest.

Miscellaneous Questions

The Avenue of the Giants is 33 miles long from the northern end near Pepperwood to the southern end near Sylvandale.

There have been alleged reports over the years of sightings of this legendary creature. Does Bigfoot live here? That question remains to be answered. :)