Welcome to Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

To keep up to date on events happening in north coast parks, visit the North Coast Redwoods Facebook and Instagram pages.

Fifteen miles east of Highway 101, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is off the beaten tourist track. It's small—less than one square mile, with only five miles of trails. those who come earn big rewards: a sublime redwood forest full of big trees and few people.

Families prize Grizzly Creek's rustic amenities. In summer, kids can ride their bikes around a paved campground loop with only 28 sites, some bordering the Van Duzen River. Visitors can have close and safe encounters with park wildlife, including bears, mountain lions, moles, and steelhead trout, via a taxidermy and skeleton display at the visitor center. On weekends, campers can gather for campfire programs, one of the few old-fashioned park experiences left.

The park was established in 1943. Its finest old-growth redwood grove, four miles down the road from the visitor center, was added in 1984. The grove was named for Owen R. Cheatham, former chairman of the board of Georgia Pacific Lumber, which spared and donated the trees.  

Cheatham Grove provided a backdrop for the scooter chase scene in Return of the Jedi. Star Wars fans still make pilgrimages to this grove.

District Contact Information
NoCoastRedwoodsInfo@parks.ca.gov
District Office: (707) 445-6547
District Fax: (707) 441-5737
3431 Fort Ave.
Eureka, CA 95503

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM

Food Storage Information - IMPORTANT AND REQUIRED  

Please ensure you are always storing the following scented items in the provided bear proof locker or your enclosed vehicle at all times, unless actively cooking or eating: 

• Food 
• Food containers 
• Drinks (including beer, sodas, coffee, etc.) 
• Icechests (see below for information about bear-proof coolers) 
• Cooking implements or tools 
• Dirty dishes, utensils or drinkware 
• Scented personal hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) 
• Trash (NO hanging trash bags in campsite - use provided trash receptacles) 

Non-compliance may result in eviction from the park or other law enforcement action. 

Bear-Proof Cooler Owners  BEAR-PROOF COOLERS (Yeti, Pelican, Yukon etc.) MUST be secured with locks per manufacturer instructions in order to meet Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) standards. Failure to do so may result in a Food Storage Citation and up to a $1000 Fine Title XIV CCR 4323(b).  It is recommended that a cable lock is also used to attach the bear cooler to a non moveable item. Bears are known to take off with and/or toss coolers around to try to open them.  

What you know and do can prevent injury to bears and property—even to you, your family and friends! Once accustomed to sources of human food, bears will seek them out, creating conflicts with humans. The bear’s behavior cannot be easily corrected. For yours and the bears safety, the park has strict regulations in place. 

More information available in our Black Bear Brochure.