The Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Camping area is near the Van Duzen River in a small but beautiful redwood park. You can camp, fish, swim, and canoe in the river, and then go hiking in the redwoods. There are a few Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park boondocking spots if you wish to stay outside the park.
Facilities – Activities 28 campsites – environmental camp – group camp – hike/bike Campers (Max. Length) 30′ – Trailers (Max. Length) 24′ picnic area, restrooms, shower canoe and kayaking fishing & swimming, try the 4.5 miles of hiking trails visitor center with exhibits and bookstore.
Even though Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is only a few acres, it is big enough to feel private, and it doesn’t get many visitors, so you might be the only one in one of its groves of coast redwoods on a weekday.
Directions: The park is 20 miles southeast of Eureka on Hwy 101, then 17 miles east of Hwy 36. Latitude/Longitude: 40.49980098110898, -123.90612603783487
Owen R. Cheatham, the founder of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, gave money to make the small park. He did this because he wanted to keep the stand of redwoods around forever. The park opened in 1943 and has since grown to cover 430 acres. The Save the Redwoods League worked to add Cheatham Grove to the park in 1983. It is 4 miles (6.4 km) west of the main unit.
Cheatham Grove has a small trail that goes for about a mile. It was one of the places where the Forest Moon of Endor scene from Return of the Jedi was filmed. Along the trail, there is also one redwood tree that is white. This is where a Redwood Edventure Quest takes place.
Reservations can be made online at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling the toll free telephone number at 1-800-444-PARK.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to California?
A lot of great ideas are in these posts!
- 6 Top Pinnacles National Park Boondocking Locations
- 14 Redwood National Park Boondocking (Updated 2022)
- 18 Kings Canyon National Park Boondocking (Updated 2022)
- 15 Yosemite National Park Camping Spots (Updated 2022)
- 5 Death Valley Salt Flats Boondocking (Updated 2022)
- 419 Awesome California Boondocking Campsites And Maps
- Our Top 25 Yosemite Hikes For All Ages
- 5 Best Hiking Trail Bonita Falls Photos Hot Spots
- 8 Places to Visit in Sequoia National Park
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Boondocking Locations
check out our video
Vista Point Rest Area
Address
Scotia, California
GPS: 40.447182, -124.039989
Elevation: 262′
Management – Rest Area (Official)
The road into this spot near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is Paved. Vista Point rest area is open no regular closures. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 8 hours at Vista Point rest area. You can give this a look as a alternative Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Boondocking location.
Amenities
ADA accessible, Pets Welcome
Activities
RV Parking
Small rest area and view point off Sam Helwer Memorial Fwy near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park (Southbound access only) less than a mile east of Stafford. Look for a blue signs that read: VISTA POINT – Ave of the Giants Information Sign, followed by one at the exit: VISTA POINT.
Review
No services or trash cans, but it is completely off the highway with a sign stating a max of 8 hours max for parking allowed. Never did find the Ave of the Giants info sign, but there is a historical plaque describing Sam Helwer on a rock by the handicapped parking space. A fence borders the parking area so your furry ones will stay safe.
Shivley Flat Riverbed
Address
Scotia, California
GPS: 40.44309, -123.98543
Elevation: 115′
Management – State Park (Unofficial)
Review
Tons of room for dispersed camping all along the river bed just north of Avenue of the Giants, also near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. 4WD recommend for the river rock, but not necessarily required. Stayed to the west of the bridge and had no issues. There are so many great Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park boondocking spots here you will be able to stay pretty much all alone.
A couple of cars drove across the bridge up until about 2330 and then it was quiet. Road noise was minimal in the morning was lovely! Remember to be respectful of your surroundings, and keep the noise down in the evening and always leave no trace!
Horse Ridge Lookout
Address
Mad River, California
GPS: 40.356402, -123.388124
Elevation: 4865′
Management – Forest Service (Unofficial)
The road into this Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park spot is Gravel. Beautiful Spot overlooking Ruth Lake. Not easy to get to. Recommended for smaller vehicles or capable motorcycles. No facilities, but an incredible view. There’s an actual campground not too far from here, Pickett Peak, but it wasn’t in very good condition when I went by there.
Review
Wanted to overnight along highway 36 at a place to use for a Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park boondocking spot. (watch out for construction delays) and went to investigate this spot. Didn’t see a lookout point, although didn’t look very hard due to the freezing rain and the dark. Just past the GPS coordinates there is a nice sizable loop road/pullout of sorts, right before the road for Pickett peak campground, and stayed there.
Vista Point
Address
Blue Lake, California
GPS: 40.901726, -123.780921
Elevation: 2674′
Management- Rest Area (Unofficial)
Beautiful spot for boondocking. No rest rooms, though.
Review
We stayed here at the end of October 2022 and it was a good place for Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park boondocking. It gave us a good spot to visit the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. We ended up staying a bit longer than the 8 hour rule but no one bothered us. It has some great views of the mountains and valleys below. As others have said it is a good spot to watch sunsets so it is busy with cars around that time.
Also remember you are on the top of a mountain so it was WINDY!!!! If you park right next to the fenced off camera/weather station it will block most of the wind and wont bother you too much. But park more out in the lot and you will feel it for sure.
Paid Camping Near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Hells Gate Campground
Address
FSR 29N58 – Rattlesnake RG
Forest Glen, California
GPS: 40.370703, -123.313599
Management – Forest Service (Official)
There are 16-29 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 15 feet, it offers easy access to the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park as well. Campground offers 17 camping units that can accommodate up to a 16 foot trailer. There is beach access, swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Good area to use as a Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park boondocking jump off point.
Directions
Take Hwy 3 south from Hayfork to Hwy 36. Travel 11 miles west.
Amenities
Drinking Water, Near Water, Pets Welcome, Picnic Tables, Restrooms,
Activities:
RV Parking, Tent Camping, Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
Mad River
Address
Lower Mad River Road
Mad River, California
GPS: 40.402165, -123.466687
Elevation: 2543′
Management – Forest Service
Mad River is open May-Sep and is near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. The maximum RV length at Mad River is 30 feet. Mad River Campground is located on banks of its namesake river, about two miles south of Ruth Lake in the thickly forested mountains of northern California.
Natural Features: The campground is situated on a bluff overlooking the river among a forested area of oak trees and evergreen shrubs. Portions of the campground are capped with tall Douglas fir trees, providing ample shade.
Amenities
Drinking Water, Restrooms
Activities
Hiking
Mattole Beach Campground
Address
Petrolia, California
GPS: 40.28973, -124.35585
Elevation: 28′
Management – Bureau of Land Management (Official)
The road into this are near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is Gravel and 3 miles from a paved road. There are 6-15 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 at Mattole Beach Campground. Beach campground near mouth of the Mattole river.
Take Lighthouse Road from Petrolia Road, campground is on right with day-use and restrooms on left. $8/night, 14 day/year limit applies for all campgrounds in this BLM district.
North end of the 25-mile lost coast trail. Seasonal catch-and-release fishing in portions of the river, see signs.
Camping permit fee envelopes are available at the kiosk located at the entrance of the campground. Permits are self-service, with an iron ranger (metal drop box) located at the kiosk to pay your fee (Cash or check only). Campers will pay an $8 fee in the envelope and keep the permit stub on display in the windshield of their vehicle or attached to their tent if they have left the area.
Amenities
Drinking Water, Fire Ring, Near Water, Picnic Tables, Restrooms,
Activities
Fishing, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
Honeydew Creek CG
Address
Honeydew, California
GPS: 40.23131, -124.11424
Elevation: 417′
Management – Bureau of Land Management (Official)
Honeydew Creek CG is open Year-round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 Nights at Honeydew Creek CG. $8/night Reservations: no Description: Five campsites in a woodland of California buckeyes & oaks offering a mix of sun & shade but still close to the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Honeydew Creek with its clear tumbling waters, flows adjacent to the campground.
Directions: U.S. 101 at South/Fork Honeydew exit. Follow signs to Honeydew, turn south onto Wilder Ridge Road toward Ettersburg for 1 mile. Notes: Honeydew Creek is an important salmon spawning area. Please do not use soap or other potential contaminants in or near the creek. Camping stay 14 days maximum per year, all sites included. Pets only allowed on leash.
Amenities:
Fire Ring, Near Water, Picnic Tables, Restrooms
Activities
Hiking, Horse Trails, Wildlife Viewing
4. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Camping
California Government Site has been down for days. Will update the campground in the park information when available. Call (707) 777-3683 for reservation information and questions.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Campground is located along Highway 36 and the Van Duzen River in Humboldt County. The campground is 17 miles east of Highway 101 at Alton. Visitors here enjoy a quieter setting for viewing the redwoods and for camping. Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of the Giants are a half-hour’s drive away.
At Grizzly Creek campers find a nice Visitor Center with exhibits, short trails, and plenty of towering redwoods. Fishing in the river is catch-and-release with barbless hooks.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Campground has 28 campsites. Ten of the sites are tent-only. The others can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents; but many have small parking areas. The larger sites can fit RVs or trailers up to 24 feet. The campground also includes a Group Site and a Hike & Bike site.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Primitive Campsites
There are no primitive campsites available in the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Group Camping Sites
There are group sites available in the park. Call (707) 777-3683 for updated information.
History Of the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Things to do at Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Inside the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park you will find canoe and kayaking, fishing & swimming, 4.5 miles of hiking trails 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.
There are three hiking trails inside the park. See details below for each park.
Cheatham Grove Trail
Check out this loop trail that goes around 0.8 miles near Carlotta, California. Most people think of it as an easy route, and it takes an average of 16 minutes to finish. This trail is a great place to walk, hike, and watch birds, and you probably won’t see many other people while you’re exploring. Dogs can’t go on this trail, so you’ll have to leave them at home.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Length: 0.8 mi
Elevation gain: 42 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Forest, Wildflowers, Wildlife, No dogs
Review
Look closely for the small sign. Even though the lot is small, there were cars there. We only saw one family hiking, but we heard voices near the river, so there must be a way to get to the river there. This looks like a great place for a smash-and-grab, so don’t leave your valuables behind.
No one probably checks to see if you paid the park fee, so I guess you can do whatever you want. Cheatham Grove is a loop trail that goes for.8 miles and is not very well marked. There are many side trails that go in all directions. We went hiking and saw what we came for. It’s a nice trail, but not outstanding. Maybe it would be better to go in the spring.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods Memorial Trail
This 1.3-mile loop trail is close to the town of Carlotta, California. Most people think of it as a moderately hard route, and it takes an average of 53 minutes to finish. This trail is great for hiking, and you probably won’t see many other people while you’re out there. Dogs can’t go on this trail, so you’ll have to leave them at home.
Difficulty: A Bit Difficult
Length: 1.3 mi
Elevation gain: 485 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Forest, River, Views, Rocky, Fee, No dogs
Review
Nice short hike through ancient redwood s. Some vertical but east path. Creek crossing and start of trail is further down stream than trail depiction.
This 1.3-mile loop trail is close to the town of Carlotta, California. Most people think of it as a moderately hard route, and it only takes an average of 43 minutes to finish. This trail is great for camping and hiking, and you probably won’t see many other people while you’re there. The trail is beautiful and can be used at any time of year. Dogs can’t go on this trail, so you’ll have to leave them at home.
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 1.3 mi
Elevation gain: 334 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Camping, Hiking, Forest, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Blowdown
Review
You never get away from the noise of the highway, which detracts from the ambiance in my opinion and the Trail itself is nothing particularly unique.
Restaurants Near the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Wildwood Waffles
770 Wildwood Ave Rio Dell, CA 95562
Review
Small waffle shop inside a hydro store. Did not disappoint. Got one savory and one sweet waffle to get the full experience. The blackberry jam was delicious. Coffee is legit. The girls were kind with service. Definitely worth the stop if you’re in the area and enjoy hidden gems.
The Patron Kitchen
70 B Wildwood Ave Rio Dell, CA 95562
Review
Stopped here for lunch on the way home from a road trip up north. Excellent food and very friendly service! Reasonable prices and convenient location as well. Interior is very humble which may turn off some but didn’t bother me. Killer spot!
Main and Mill Kitchen
100 Main St Scotia, CA 95565
Main & Mill Kitchen and Bar serves breakfast from 8am to Noon Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Lunch everyday from 11am to 4pm and dinner everyday until 9pm. We offer fast casual style dining.
Review
We had the Social Burger! Delicious beef patty cooked to order topped with pulled pork. There was also lettuce, fresh tomato and house made pickles. We also ordered a side of beer battered fries. The entire meal was delicious!!! They have a bar with great bloody Mary’s using their house made mix. The wine selection is small but had some tasty selections. Overall a great experience in a beautiful hotel!!!!
You May Want to Join Our Boondocking Group on Facebook For More Information
You May Want to Join Our Campfire Recipes Group on Facebook For More Information
