Richardson Grove

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=422 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson_Grove_State_Park Richardson Grove State Park is located at the southernmost border of Humboldt County, 75 miles (121 km) south of Eureka, California, United States, and 200 miles (320 km) north of San Francisco. The year-round park, which has approximately 2,000 acres (8.1 km2), straddles US 101, causing the narrowest point of its entire distance. Said to have the 9th largest tree of all remaining Coast Redwoods, it is known for swimming on the South Fork of the Eel River and day use in addition to 159 campsites. The park is named after Friend Richardson, the 25th Governor of California between 1923 and 1927.

Richardson Grove State Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Historic gateway to the north coast redwoods, these ancient giants have inspired people for centuries. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 247-3318. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information, call (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995 outside the U.S. 711 TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Richardson Grove State Park 1600 U.S. Highway 101, #8 Garberville, CA 95542 (707) 247-3318 Marbled murrelet photo courtesy of Rich MacIntosh © 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) R ichardson Grove State Park — traditional destination of countless vacationing families since the early twentieth century — is one of the north coast’s first redwood state parks. Situated in the majestic redwood forests of southern Humboldt County, “The Grove” began in 1922 with 120 acres and has since grown to approximately 2,000 acres. Located 200 miles north of San Francisco and seven miles south of Garberville, the park is bisected by U.S. Highway 101 and the South Fork of the Eel River. CULTURAL History The first known inhabitants of this region, the Sinkyone people, hunted, fished, gathered food, and lived sustainably among the Grove’s ancient redwoods, which they considered sacred. These Athabascanspeaking people trained their dogs to drive game toward waiting hunters. Both men and women were basket makers. Today’s Sinkyone descendants maintain cultural and spiritual ties to the Grove. The first recorded settler in the area, Kentuckian Ruben Reed, bought the land on the South Fork of Eel River in the late 1860s. His brother and their widowed father homesteaded 160 acres, now part of the park. In the early 1900s Henry Devoy bought Reed’s land; Devoy leased the redwood grove in 1920 to Edwin Freeman, who built a store, a dining room, and cabins at the site of today’s visitor center. In 1922, the Save the Redwoods League, concerned about the potential destruction of the trees by highway construction and logging, Richardson Grove Lodge, ca. 1947 persuaded the State to acquire 120 acres of the redwood grove. Between 1922 and 1932, Freeman operated the new park as a concession and lobbied to name the park for Governor Friend W. Richardson. The Richardson Grove Lodge, which is now the visitor center, was built between 1928 and 1930. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began building campgrounds, picnic facilities, trails, water systems, and restrooms in the main grove. Periodic flooding of the Eel River, particularly during the floods of 1955 and 1964, has damaged CCC-built facilities and trees. In February 1986, the river again overflowed its banks, destroying the campfire center and picnic area. Later, new facilities were built outside of the main grove. Today, only the visitor center remains in the main grove, lessening the human impact on its fragile ecosystem. natural history Plant Communities The most notable natural feature of Richardson Grove is the old-growth redwood forest, which thrives in the area’s mild climate. Many trees in the grove are more than 1,000 years old; several are more than 300 feet tall. Strolling among these towering redwood giants is an unforgettable experience. One can see some of the world’s tallest coast redwoods, a walkthrough tree, and a fallen tree growth-ring exhibit that has drawn visitors to the park since 1933. Redwood sorrel, ferns, Coast redwood and mosses take branch advantage of the deep shade in the heart of the forest. Younger redwoods, Douglas fir, California laurel, various oaks, and madrones compete for sunlight and moisture outside the established groves. Undergrowth includes huckleberry, hazel, Douglas iris, calypso orchids, poison oak, and redwood violets. Wildlife The South Fork of the Eel River — named for the Pacific lamprey — runs through the park. During fall and winter, spawning salmon and steelhead return to the river. Wildlife includes black-tailed deer, gray foxes, and river otters. Occasional visitors include black bears and mountain lions. Native birds include bald eagles, great blue herons, osprey, belted kingfishers, California quail, and acorn and pileated woodpeckers. Endangered marbled murrelet chicks and eggs can fall prey to ravens, crows, and jays if food scraps dropped by visitors attract these corvids. Be sure to ask park staff about Juvenile marbled murrelet the “bat tree” where the Yuma myotis roost. These little brown bats are welcome residents that help

Richardson Grove 1600 U.S. Hwy 101 #8 • Garberville, CA 95542 • (707) 247-3318 Richardson Grove State Park contains the state’s southernmost significant old-growth redwood forest. Highlights are the ninth tallest coast redwood, a fallen tree ring study from 1933, and a bat tree. PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. The campsite fee covers one vehicle. There are additional fees for each additional vehicle. OCCUPANCY: Each campsite may have up to eight persons (including children). QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not disturb other campers regardless the time of day. Radios and other sound producing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite. Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may only be parked in assigned campsites. All vehicles must remain on the parking area and may not extend out into the roadway. Two vehicles maximum are allowed per campsite. RVs / TRAILERS: The RV length limit is 30 feet and the trailer length limit is 24 feet. CHECK OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check in time is 2 p.m. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15mph This may be too fast in the camp loops and when children are present; please use good judgment. The Durphy Creek / Tan Oak Springs / Lookout Point Trail is four miles long. These trails start at the Madrone Campground road and make a loop ending around campsite #59. The trail has a strenuous climb, then descends through a dense forest of tan oaks. The Lookout Point Trail offers a vantage point overlooking the South Fork of the Eel River and the Oak Flat campground. The Toumey Trail is 2 miles long and accessible during the summer from the seasonal bridge that crosses the Eel River into the Oak Flat Campground. Three self-guided Nature Trails start at the Visitor Center, including a seven-minute nature walk, the Exhibit trail and the Grove Interpretive trail featuring a bat tree, a fallen tree study with interpretive displays along the way. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center. The Grove Interpretive Trail is relatively level and starts at the bat tree by the Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center the trail goes south through the main Richardson Grove and loops to return to the bat tree. Along the trail are informational displays explaining history and information about these magnificent trees. DOGS must be kept on a leash six feet or less and must be under immediate control at all times. Dogs are not permitted on trails or at interpretive programs. Pets may not be left unattended and must be confined in a vehicle or tent at night. a th K l am r n mo er Sal Riv e Riv FIRES AND FIREWOOD: Fires are allowed only in established metal fire rings or camp stoves and must be attended at all times. Do not gather firewood in the park—the nutrients must be allowed to recycle back into the ecosystem. You may purchase firewood from the camp hosts. Firewood sales provide funds for the Richardson Grove Interpretive Association, which supports interpretive programs in this park. Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP BICYCLES are allowed only on the paved roadways. All riders under eighteen years of age must wear an approved helmet by law. WATER is available throughout the park. Hose bibs may be used for filling water tanks; they may not be used for hookups. DAY USE/HIKING TRAILS The Woodland Loop Trail starts near the ranger station; this mild, 1.6 mile uphill route meanders through the redwoods and a dense tan oak forest. Discover the many states of California.TM CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting (800) 777-0369, 711, TTY relay service. Richardson Grove State Park Woodland Trail 15 9 12 10 13 14 11 8 16 3 Seasonal Bridge 17 4 21 20 23 36 22 24 1 2 35 34 25 Toumey Trail Dawn Redwood 18 19 Seasonal Swimming Hole 7 6 5 33 31 32 eek Day Use Area Oak Flat Campground (77-170) ter pr kT Cree rail Grov e In Durphy r Du r yC ph etiv e 28 Huckleberry Campground (1-36) HIG HW AY 1 0 30 27 =PZP[VY *LU[LY 1 29 Tra il 26 Madrone Campground (37-76) 154 Summer Bridge 44 43 53 54 75 56 57 59 65 ver 80 69 66 Tan Oaks Springs Trail 82 83 LEGEND Accessible Feature Bridge Campfire Center Campground Emergency Phone Group Campground Locked Gate 168 167 170 112 114 79 70 64 Lookout Point Trail 169 78 71 62 67 68 63 163 77 72 160147 145 162 143 161 73 61 149 148 74 58 60 151 157 159 ork E el R i HIGH WAY 101 38 49 39 37 52 76 55 152 150 South F 51 a il 40 47 50 Exhibit Tr 41 46 48 156 158 42 45 153 164 166 165 140 Ranger Station 144 142 132 131 141 138 133 137 134 130 139 111 113 116 115 128 118