Our Mission Armstrong Redwoods The mission of California State Parks is State Natural Reserve to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping The cathedral-like to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Austin Creek diversity, protecting its most valued natural and trees of Armstrong cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Recreation Area for high-quality outdoor recreation. Redwoods State Natural Reserve complement the rolling, tree-studded California State Parks supports equal access. hills of neighboring Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at Austin Creek State (707) 869-2015. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249. Recreation Area. 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 Discover the many states of California.™

SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Austin Creek State Recreation Area 17000 Armstrong Woods Road Guerneville, CA 95446 (707) 869-2015 or (707) 865-2391 District Office

© 2011 California State Parks A rmstrong Redwoods State Natural agricultural laborers—many of whom lived Reserve and Austin Creek State around the fort or in nearby villages. Some Recreation Area share a boundary, but are Kashaya women intermarried with the quite different from each other. Serene, Russian immigrants. 805-acre Armstrong Redwoods—shaded by Today Kashaya Pomo and other native ancient coast redwoods—has been a cool groups still live in or visit the area to gather summer escape for generations of park leaves, roots and other natural ingredients visitors. The nearly 6,000 tree-studded needed to make some of the world’s finest, acres of Austin Creek provide a bright, most sought-after Native American baskets. sunny place best experienced in spring Colonel James B. Armstrong and fall; summer temperatures here can Ohio native Colonel James B. Armstrong reach 100 degrees. was one of the very few 19th-century lumber PARK HISTORY barons who appreciated both the intrinsic beauty and the commercial uses of the Native People redwood groves. Before the early 1800s, the Kashaya In 1874 Armstrong moved to Sonoma Pomo people lived along the coast and County with his wife and family. They what is now called the Russian River. The built their home in Cloverdale, where he ocean and the river’s plentiful resources invested in orchards and real estate there sustained the Kashaya people. and in Santa Rosa. Working with crop plants, With the construction of nearby Fort Colonel Armstrong became a lifelong friend Ross in 1812, the lives of the Kashaya were of agricultural pioneer Luther Burbank. abruptly altered. Fur trappers from the Upon his arrival in Sonoma County, Russian-American Fur Company arrived Colonel Armstrong Tree Armstrong began to purchase at the fort seeking land in the dense redwood the ancient forest to his daughter Kate, sea otter pelts forest two miles north of with plans for an arboretum and natural and a place to Guerneville. He saw that park. The Armstrong family allowed the grow food for thousands of acres of public to visit and enjoy the beauty of their Alaskan seemingly inexhaustible the peaceful redwoods. outpost. For redwoods were being Armstrong later bought the Big nearly 30 years, reduced to clear-cut tree Bottom Sawmill and cut and processed the Russians stumps (thus inspiring millions of feet of redwood lumber. employed Guerneville’s original name, The redwoods he had deeded to numerous “Stumptown”). To preserve Kate remained intact; 400 of those Kashaya Pomo some of his land from this acres eventually became Armstrong people as Colonel James Armstrong Elizabeth Armstrong fate, he deeded 600 acres of Redwoods State Natural Reserve (SNR). in 1883 Jones, ca. 1900 Armstrong’s other daughter Elizabeth acquiring the land (Lizzie) and her husband, Reverend which now comprises William Ladd Jones, dedicated the Colonel Austin Creek State Armstrong Tree. This “monarch of the Recreation Area (SRA) forest,” chosen before his death in 1900, to provide camping commemorates Armstrong’s vision of saving and recreational ancient redwoods. facilities and preserve The State of California acquired the grove important wildlife in 1934; by 1936 Armstrong Redwoods State corridors. Park was open to the public. Armstrong Redwoods became a reserve NATURAL HISTORY in 1964, after insight into its ecological The remaining coast importance suggested that this vital redwoods (Sequoia resource should be more effectively sempervirens), the The Redwood Forest Theater, built in 1934, is a serene place to “tree watch.” managed. That same year, the State began tallest living trees on planet Earth, grow naturally only along a Habitats and Wildlife narrow coastal belt from southern Oregon The two parks’ distinct habitats shelter a wide to central California. The wet fog that range of native wildlife. shrouds this ancient, temperate rainforest Redwood—Coast redwoods shade forest helps maintain the moist conditions that floor plants such as redwood sorrel, trillium, the trees—and the wildlife that depend on calypso orchids, and sword and bracken ferns. them—need to exist. Today, scientists are Look for banana slugs, myotis bats and black- concerned that climate change threatens tailed mule deer. the fog vital to the redwoods’ survival. Mixed Evergreen/Douglas-Fir—Along ridges and slopes grow a mix of Douglas-fir, Pacific madrone, tanoak and California bay laurel. These trees shelter northern spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers and tree voles. Hound’s tongue and common madia make seasonal displays in the sparse understory, which is also home to wood rats and alligator lizards. Oak Woodland—This habitat includes California buckeye, manzanita, Oregon white oak and California black oak. Band-tailed pigeons, alligator lizards, king snakes and gray foxes nest here. Checker lilies are found among the oaks. Bullfrog Pond Bullfrog Pond Campground Riparian— Chaparral—Chamise, manzanita and Autumn is mild, with slow-moving creeks and Along rivers, sticky monkeyflower make up this habitat. blazing colors among the big leaf maples. streams Deep in tangles and thorns, white-footed Winter rain turns everything green. and other mice, California quail and other small Camping—At Austin Creek, camping is not waterways, prey hide from gray foxes. Bobcats can be available year round. Call (707) 869-2015 to wood ferns, spotted hunting in chaparral and grassland check on campground status. Campsites are bracken areas bordered by a mixed conifer forest. available first-come, first-served. Family sites ferns and Grasslands— Native purple needle have tables and fire rings with nearby flush Banana slug maidenhair grass and California oatgrass grow wild. toilets (but no showers) and drinkable water. ferns thrive. Soap plant, clarkia, globe lily and other Backcountry (Primitive) Camping—The first- White and red alder, chain fern, giant wildflowers help feed and shelter black- come, first-served Tom King and Mannings horsetail, western azaleas and various mosses tailed jackrabbits, Oregon juncos, Western Flat campsites require backcountry camping shelter California newts, Pacific tree frogs, fence lizards, and gopher and garter snakes. permits. Sites have tables, fire rings and American dippers and belted kingfishers. In nearby pit toilets. Water from the year-round streams, great blue herons fish for coho and RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES stream must be purified before drinking. steelhead salmon or red-legged frogs as river Temperatures are mild, with some fog year When camping is available, register for otters play nearby. round. Summer brings heavier fog that all Austin Creek camping and get a permit Closed Cone Cypress—Stands of Sargent’s usually burns off by midday. Carry plenty at the entry kiosk at Armstrong Redwoods cypress grow on serpentine rock outcrops. of water at Austin Creek, where summer SNR. In the absence of park staff, follow temperatures can be very warm. posted instructions to self-register at the Bullfrog Pond campground entrance at Austin Creek. Pond Farm Pottery: Equestrians—Park trails are open Shortly after World War seasonally to horses; horse trailers are not II, internationally known allowed beyond the picnic area. For trail ceramic artist Marguerite condition information, call (707) 869-2015. Wildenhain accepted an A horse riding and pack-station concession invitation from Gordon at Armstrong Redwoods provides guided and Jane Herr to move day trips. to their art colony (now Bicycles—Ride bicycles only on paved and part of Austin Creek SRA) near Guerneville. service roads, not on trails. At Armstrong Wildenhain lived, Redwoods, riders must share the flat, worked, and taught at paved road with pedestrians and vehicles. Pond Farm until her At Austin Creek, the paved and service death in 1985. roads gain 1,000 feet of elevation. waterfall is close by. Amenities include picnic tables, a barbecue pit, grills and This park is supported in part through nearby restrooms. For group picnic area a nonprofit organization. For more reservations, call (707) 865-2394. information contact: Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods ACCESSIBLE FEATURES P.O. Box 2, Duncans Mills, CA 95430 Armstrong Redwoods (707) 869-9177 Picnic Area—Accessible picnic sites are www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org near the trailhead at Pool Ridge Trail. Parking—Narrow designated spaces are available. Routes of travel from parking area PLEASE REMEMBER to accessible sites are paved, but help may • All park features are protected by law be needed with slopes. and may not be disturbed in any way. Exhibits/Programs—The visitor center is • Stay on designated trails. Off-trail accessible; wheelchair users may need help walking and riding cause soil erosion, with ramp and path slopes. damage redwood root systems, and Austin Creek expose visitors to ticks, snakes and Currently there are no accessible features poison oak. at this park. Accessibility is continually • Vehicles are permitted only on paved improving. For updates, call (916) 445-8949 roads. When meeting oncoming traffic at The accessible Discovery Trail or visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Austin Creek, vehicles traveling downhill must yield to uphill traffic. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Vehicles more than 20 feet long and Trails—The Armstrong Pioneer Nature Trail • Fort Ross State Historic Park vehicles towing trailers or other vehicles is a self-guided walk through the redwoods. 19005 Coast Highway One, may not use the narrow, steep park road. Discovery Trail is an accessible trail designed Jenner, CA 95450 • Except for service animals, dogs are for people with visual impairments. (707) 847-3286 permitted only on paved roads in both Facilities—The reserve has a visitor center, • Sonoma Coast State Park areas of the park. Dogs must be on leash. outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature 3095 Highway 1 • Hunting and the possession of weapons trails, picnic facilities and about nine miles Bodega Bay, CA 94923 are prohibited anywhere in the parks. of hiking trails. The visitor center (nature (707) 875-3483 or • Fishing is available only in Bullfrog store) has interpretive displays and sells a (707) 865-2391 Pond. All streams are closed to fishing to variety of educational items. protect vital spawning habitat. Two picnic areas in the redwoods are 3/4 mile from the park entrance. Nearby Fife Creek runs swiftly in winter and slows or dries in spring, summer and fall. A small