Our Mission The mission of State Parks is Grizzly Creek to provide for the health, inspiration and hanks to lumberman education of the people of California by helping T to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Redwoods diversity, protecting its most valued natural and Owen R. Cheatham, these cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. acres of redwoods were saved for all time — to inspire, dazzle, and awe many future generations California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who of park visitors. need assistance should contact the park at (707) 777-3683. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

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

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park 16949 Highway 36 Carlotta, CA 95528 (707) 777-3683

© 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2019) G rizzly Creek Redwoods State Park offers Four distinct language families still exist a sense of seclusion and intimacy that has in the local region: Athabascan, Algic, endeared it to generations of visitors. Nearly Hokan, and Yukian. Although distinct from 30 miles inland from the coast, the lush, one another, they still shared many cultural green, 393-acre park is an unspoiled gem. traits. Ethnographers have codified this Towering ancient redwoods guard three region as a culture area. separate parcels of pristine riverfront. Native groups traded with each other; local objects such as ceremonial blades and shell PARK HISTORY beads have been identified as far away as California Indians America’s Deep South and East Coast. For thousands of years, California Indians Athabascan-speaking ceremonies known as Nongatl lived in this area. The often included multiple groups, and Euro-American Settlers Nongatl speak Athabascan, a distinct intermarriage between groups was common. In the late 1860s, the Van Duzen language family whose speakers come from Many local indigenous people spoke or still River area — named for New Jersey the Arctic Circle along the North American speak two or more languages. gold-seeker James Van Duzen — was West Coast from Alaska to Humboldt County. With the coming of Euro-American a stagecoach stopover and resort. When settlers, native lands around the the State of California acquired the were turned acreage in 1943, the river and into farms and ranches. The new its banks had long been popular settlers insisted that the Indians be with visitors. relocated, so U.S. Army troops from Fort Humboldt took the Nongatl NATURAL RESOURCES people to the Round Valley, Wildlife Valley, and Smith River Reservations Black-tailed deer watch for bobcats or in the 1860s. Many of these people mountain lions. Tracks of California black eventually returned to their bears, raccoons, elk, and river otters homelands, and the Rohnerville may dot the river’s damp banks on Rancheria was established north of any morning. Fortuna in 1910. Beautiful pileated woodpeckers hammer Some descendants of the at the trees in the company of dark-eyed Nongatl belong to the Bear River juncos, northern spotted owls, winter Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, wrens, and boisterous Steller’s jays. Great maintaining cultural and ancestral blue herons fish among the river rocks. ties while retaining and practicing Endangered marbled murrelets nest in their own traditions. the redwood canopy, but corvids (jays, One of many dedicated redwood groves crows, and ravens) prey upon their RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES eggs and chicks. Please do not drop Camping — Grizzly Creek has 26 family food or crumbs. sites, a group site, and one hike / bike site. Habitats Family site reservations may be made at Coast redwood trees dominate the park. www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444-7275. Near the eastern boundary of the redwoods’ Trails — 4.5 miles of trails offer scenic views. range, the trees rely on winter rains and Picnicking — Open for day use. To reserve a morning fog for survival. As climate change 40-unit group picnic area, call (707) 777-3683. accelerates, experts fear that diminished Boating — The Van Duzen River fluctuates rain and fog may cause the loss of some in depth seasonally, but strong river currents redwoods as well as other plants and make rafting and kayaking in winter and animals that depend on these forests. early spring a Class III adventure. • Fires are permitted only in the stoves or Some typical redwood understory plants Swimming — Grizzly Creek joins the Van fire rings provided by the park. Duzen River to create a popular swimming include three-leaf white trillium, purple ACCESSIBLE FEATURES calypso orchids (lady slippers), fairy spot. Use caution in the strong currents; no Within the campground, two campsites lanterns, wild ginger, and Douglas irises. lifeguards are on duty. and a shower/toilet room are generally Douglas-fir, tanoak, and big leaf maple Fishing — In late fall and early winter, accessible. The picnic area is usable, but trees grow among various ferns, mosses, wild steelhead and salmon migrate from the assistance may be needed. huckleberries, and salal. ocean. All anglers aged 16 and over must carry a valid California fishing license. Visit Accessibility in parks is continually Owen R. Cheatham Grove www.wildlife.ca.gov for more information. improving. Visit http://access.parks.ca.gov Four miles west of the visitor center, the for details or updates. ancient redwoods of Cheatham Grove stand INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS among redwood sorrel. The beauty of this The visitor center has a schedule of events NEARBY STATE PARKS grove — named for Owen R. Cheatham, and programs during the summer, including • Fort Humboldt State Historic Park founder of what would become the Georgia- campfire programs, nature walks, and 3431 Fort Ave., Eureka 95503 Pacific Plywood and Lumber Company — the Junior Ranger program. There are two (707) 445-6547 inspired Cheatham to spare the trees for Redwood EdVentures programs available. • Humboldt Redwoods State Park others to enjoy. 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott 95571 PLEASE REMEMBER In 1983, thanks to the Save the Redwoods (707) 946-2409 League and the Nature Conservancy, • Do not feed wildlife. Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant lockers. California State Parks acquired Cheatham This park receives support in part through the Grove, one of more than 1,000 dedicated • Dogs must be on a leash no more than six- Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association redwood “honor” or memorial groves feet long and must be confined to a tent or P.O. Box 276 • Weott, CA 95571 donated by League benefactors. vehicle at night. Except for service animals, (707) 946-2263 pets are not allowed on trails. www.humboldtredwoods.org Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park erCe s’r Tr ylzzirG k kiHe ail Tr ail

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