Standish-Hickey

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=423 Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area is the southern gateway to the world-famous redwood belt along California’s North Coast. About 10 miles of trails weave through its steep canyon bluffs, second-growth forests, and clusters of old-growth redwoods. The tallest redwood, the 225-foot Captain Miles Standish Tree, is more than 1,200 years old. A two-mile stretch of the South Fork of the Eel River—with riffles, deep holes, and calm shallow areas—is popular with swimmers, kayakers, and anglers.

StandishHickey State Recreation Area 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. South Fork to the Historic The gateway north redwoods, ofcoast the Eel River these ancient giants shimmers against the have inspired people backdrop of a majestic for centuries. redwood forest. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 925-6482. 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 Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area 69350 U.S. Hwy. 101, Box #2 Leggett, CA 95455 (707) 925-6482 © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) G ateway to the tall trees country, In the late 1950s, descendants of Standish-Hickey State Recreation Captain Miles Standish, a Pilgrim Area offers camping, picnicking, who landed on Plymouth Rock in hiking, fishing, and swimming on 1620, donated more than 500 acres. the South Fork of the Eel River The Save the Redwoods League — part of the third-largest river has made subsequent additions system in California. Nearly ten through the years, bringing the miles of trails weave through park’s current size to more than steep canyon bluffs, second1,000 acres. growth forests, and pockets of Much of the land was clear-cut old-growth redwood and Douglasand then burned in a disastrous fire fir. The fast-moving river — with its in 1947. The park is regaining its Edward Ritter rapids, holes of varying depths, calm former beauty. Hickey shallow areas, and cobblestone bed NATURAL HISTORY — is especially popular with both swimmers and anglers. Wildlife Park visitors enjoy warm summer The Eel River is named for its abundant temperatures, varying between 70 and 100 Pacific lamprey. Black-tailed deer, gray degrees. Winter temperatures range from 20 foxes, black bears, mountain lions, and river to 75 degrees. Heavy coastal rainfall averages otters thrive in the park. Eagles, owls, and 70 inches per year. hawks soar the skies, hunting small game. Visitors may see blue heron, osprey, belted PARK HISTORY kingfishers, scrub and Steller’s jays, and Native People acorn woodpeckers. The first known inhabitants of this region, Plants the Sinkyone people, sustained themselves The tallest redwood, the Miles Standish by hunting, fishing, and food gathering in Tree, at 225 feet tall and 13 feet in diameter, the ancient redwoods. These Athabascanis easy to spot from a distance. Estimated speaking people were expert hunters who to be more than 1,200 years old, the Miles used trained dogs to drive game to be Standish Tree bears scars from efforts to caught. Sinkyone men and women both made chop it down and the effects of intricate, useful baskets. the 1947 fire. Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area Among the second-growth redwoods, began as a 40-acre campground donated to Douglas-fir, oaks, laurel, big-leaf maple, alder, the state in 1922 by the Hickey family. The madrones, buckeye, and yew compete for donation honored Edward Ritter Hickey, a sunlight. Lower-elevation growth includes local lumberman’s son who died while caring huckleberry, manzanita, and coyote brush. for victims of the influenza epidemic of 1918. Human Effects on the Park Heavy annual rainfall, combined with the loss of top soil during years of excessive logging, has caused severe erosion. The steep bluffs on the east bank of the South Fork of the Eel River continually erode into the river. Climate change also poses a threat to the park’s plants and animals. Loss of coastal fog and increasing temperatures endanger the coast redwood habitat. The Miles Standish Tree RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Trails — The park’s varied trails offer hikers scenic redwood and river views. • Taber Nature Trail — An easy 1.7-mile, selfguided loop with a 360-degree view of the forested skyline • Big Tree Trail — Moderate 2-mile loop with views of the Eel River • Mill Creek Loop Trail — Strenuous 6-mile loop with a view of Big Tree Meadow Day Use — Picnic tables and parking are available for day-use visitors. Swimming — The South Fork of the Eel River, located at the base of rocky outcrops, creates pools nearly 20 feet deep with sandy bottoms. These pools are popular, sunny places to linger on hot summer days. Visitors will find placid water ideal for relaxation. Fishing — In fall and winter, salmon and steelhead swim upriver at the park on their way to spawn. All anglers aged 16 and over must carry a valid California fishing license. Visit www.wildlife.ca.gov for regulatio

Standish-Hickey State Recreaton Area 69350 Highway 101 • Leggett, CA 95455 • (707) 925-6482 At the “gateway to the tall trees country,” the area offers camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing and swimming on the South Fork of the Eel River, which winds through the park for almost two miles. One of the few virgin redwood stands remaining in this area can be seen on the Grove Trail. PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. The campsite fee covers one vehicle. There are additional fees for extra vehicles. OCCUPANCY: Eight people maximum are allowed per campsite. n mo er Sal Riv e Riv ALCOHOL and glass containers are not allowed beyond your campsite. r CAMPSITES: You may attach lines to your property only. Tents and other equipment must be confined to the space assigned. For information on the campsite limits, please ask a ranger or the camp host. QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, Jedediah Smith please do not disturb other campers regardless Redwoods SP the time of day. Radios and other soundproducing 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. a th K l am VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may be parked only in assigned campsites. All vehicles must remain in the parking area and may not extend out into the roadway. Two vehicles maximum are allowed per campsite. No trailers permitted, and no vehicles over 18 feet long in the Redwood Campground. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians and children are present, even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. DAY USE hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 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. Firewood is available for purchase at the entrance station. CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check-in time is 2 p.m. DOGS must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under your supervision at all times. They are not permitted on the trail (except for service dogs). Please clean up after your pets. Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night. Richardson Grove SP Standish-Hickey SRA 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. Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area Grove Trail 83 70 71 68 82 81 STE 79 67 EP B 78 66 63 57 62 49 52 56 54 55 48 50 51 64 61 53 77 FS LUF 65 P EE T S 47 32 36 29 31 Rock Creek Campground 27 28 25 26 STE EP B LUF 14 FS 23 24 22 20 15 16 17 18 19 21 Seasonal Vehicle Bridge Day Use 58 y Da 59 e Us 113 114 60 115 Seasonal Foot Bridge 117 118 120 108 106 111 157 161 160 159 158 156 155 Paved Road 101 Hiking Trail 153 152 131 130 126 129 128 132 133 134 Parking 148 149 146 147 145 135 136 Hike/Bike Campground 151 150 Redwood Campground 162 127 Entrance Station 154 122 121 124 LEGEND Map not to scale. 100 102 Accessible Feature 119 125 104 110 109 107 105 103 112 116 For Emergencies Dial 9-1-1 34 13 11 9 30 Fork Eel River h t u o S FS UF L B 123 33 12 10 3 35 42 40 38 46 44 37 41 39 45 43 8 7 5 1 Hickey Campground 80 69 2 Service Area Authorized Persons ONLY 88 90 92 93 95 97 99 96 98 87 89 91 94 6 4 Park Entrance 73 72 74 76 84 85 75 86 Authorized Persons ONLY Seasonal Foot Bridge 101 140 138 137 139 Picnic Area 144 143 141 Restroom Showers Emergency Telephone Wood Sales Campfire Center Swim Area © 2009 California State Parks No Dogs Allowed