Our Mission Armstrong Redwoods The mission of the Department of State Natural Reserve Parks and Recreation is to provide for the Located in the Russian River region 75 health, inspiration and education of the miles north of San Francisco, this 805- people of California by helping to preserve acre park features a magnificent grove the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, of ancient redwoods, self-guided nature protecting its most valued natural and trails and picnic facilities. cultural resources, and creating opportunities As you stroll through this beautiful for high-quality outdoor recreation. old-growth redwood forest, you will see some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. The Parson Jones Tree is about 310 feet high, and the 308-foot Colonel Armstrong Tree is more than 1,400 years old. ®�

California State Parks supports equal access. History Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who During the 1870s, this area was set aside need assistance should contact the park at as a natural park and botanical gardens the phone number below. To receive this by Colonel James B. Armstrong, an early- publication in an alternate format, write to day lumberman who recognized the the Communications Office at the following beauty and natural value of the forests address. he harvested. Today this is the largest remaining ancient-growth redwood forest CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS in Sonoma County. It is a living reminder P. O. Box 942896 of the magnificent primeval redwood Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 forests that covered much of this area For information call: (800) 777-0369 before logging operations began during (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. the 19th century. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov Native Trees Along with the coast redwoods in this grove, there are a number of other tree Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve species, including tanoak, Douglas fir, State Recreation Area California laurel, and big-leaf maple. In 17000 Armstrong Woods Road springtime the forest floor is carpeted Guerneville, CA 95446 with clover-like redwood sorrel, trillium, (707) 869-2015 fairy bells and redwood orchids. In Russian River District (707) 865-2391 winter, mushrooms, mosses, lichens and liverworts exhibit their fantastic shapes © 1998 California State Parks (Revised 7/08) ®� and colors. Printed on Recycled Paper World’s Tallest Living Thing to sit and ponder the beauty of the iris, buttercups, lupines, brodiaeas, The coast redwood (Sequoia surrounding grove. In 2006 the theater California poppies and shooting stars. sempervirens) is the world’s tallest living was again opened for the annual Old thing. In fact, the tallest redwood is 381 Grove Festival to raise funds for park Native Animals interpretive programs. feet high. The coast redwood is also The grasslands, chaparral, conifer, oak Tables and barbecue facilities are one of the world’s oldest living things woodland and riparian habitats of Austin available in the picnic area, which (some survive for as long as 2,000 years). Creek State Recreation Area are home to includes a group picnic site that can They grow naturally only along a narrow a wide range of native animals and birds. be reserved through the Russian coastal belt from southern Oregon to Squirrels, deer, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, River District office. Check with park central California where the moderate skunks, bobcats, black bears and an staff for current information about any climate combines with heavy winter occasional mountain lion are some of interpretive programs that may be rain and frequent summer fog. Coast the native animals seen here. Turkeys scheduled during your visit. redwoods reach their maximum size and feral pigs are among the introduced and height on alluvial flats like the one species commonly seen. beside Fife Creek. Austin Creek Bird life in the park includes the colorful wood duck and the rare spotted Park Interpretive Services State Recreation Area owl. Great blue herons, white-tailed Interpretive facilities designed to help Twenty miles of hiking and equestrian kites, quail, various woodpeckers, park visitors enjoy and learn about this trails invite energetic visitors to explore ravens, hawks and flycatchers are ancient redwood grove include a visitor and enjoy this wild and scenic area. frequently seen. center at the park entrance that is staffed Though Austin Creek State Recreation Aquatic animals in Bullfrog Pond daily 11am-3pm by knowledgeable Area’s 5,683 acres are include sunfish, black bass and bullfrogs. docents, self-guided trails and trailside close to urban Trout, salmon and California displays. Visitors can obtain park development, newts are found in the streams. information and publications and view the park’s rugged Licensed anglers may fish the the center’s natural history exhibits topography gives a pond, but all park streams before beginning their tour of the grove. sense of isolation from are closed to fishing in The self-guided Armstrong Nature the hustle and bustle of order to protect vitally Trail is an easy walk through the grove. civilization. Elevations important spawning Another interpretive feature in the within the park range from White-Tailed Kite habitat. grove, the Discovery Trail, was designed 150 feet above sea level to Austin Creek’s for people who are visually impaired, almost 1,900 feet on Marble historic Pond Farm though it can be enjoyed by all park Mine Ridge. Pottery was the home, visitors. The park’s open forests workshop, and school The Redwood Forest Theater is of and rolling hills offer a of the internationally historic interest.­ From 1934 to the early striking contrast to the renowned ceramic artist, 1980s, the theater was used for various cool, dark redwood grove Marguerite Wildenhain, who artistic events, after which it was closed in Armstrong Redwoods. settled here after World for habitat restoration efforts. It now Springtime wildflower Great Blue Heron War II. Formerly a student provides visitors with a majestic place displays include Douglas at Germany’s famous Bauhaus school of design, Wildenhain at all. Summertime temperatures Please Remember enjoyed and was inspired by the peace often exceed 100 degrees. Winter and natural beauty of this area. temperatures occasionally drop below All plants and animals are protected. freezing, and the 50 inches of annual rain Please do not disturb the natural features you find in the park. If you see Camping generally includes an occasional snow flurry. a rattlesnake near a campground, please Twenty-four first come, first-served report it to a park ranger. family campsites are located near Stay on designated trails. Soil erosion Bullfrog Pond. Campsites are available Equestrian Recreation and damage to the root systems of throughout the year. Tables, fire rings, All of Austin Creek’s trails are open to the redwoods are the result of off-trail flush toilets and drinkable water are horses, although horse trailers are not walking and riding. provided, but no sinks or showers permitted beyond the picnic area. Check Vehicles are permitted only on paved are available. Vehicle access to the at the visitor center or ranger station roads. The maximum speed limit is 15 campground is by way of a steep, narrow, for up-to-date information about trail miles per hour. All park roads are narrow, winding, two and one-half mile mountain conditions. A horse riding and pack so be prepared for oncoming traffic. road. For safety reasons, vehicles more station concession providing guided Vehicles traveling downhill must yield than 20 feet in length are not allowed on day and overnight trips is located one- to uphill traffic on the mountain roads of this road. Vehicles with trailers or other half mile west of the Armstrong Tree in Austin Creek. towed vehicles are also prohibited. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. Dogs must be kept on a leash during Backcountry trail camps are located the day and in a vehicle or tent at night. at the Tom King and Mannings Flat Bicycle Recreation Dogs are only permitted on paved roads campsites. Each campsite has a table and in developed areas of the park. Bicycles are permitted only on the and fire ring. Pit toilets are located Hunting and the possession of weapons paved and service roads, not on trails. nearby. A year-round stream is nearby, are prohibited anywhere in the park. Conditions for bicyclists in the two parks but the water must be purified Fishing is not permitted in any of the vary significantly. Within Armstrong before drinking. Use of a microfilter is streams. Redwoods, bicycle riders share the flat recommended. The backcountry camps Dead and down wood must be left paved road with both pedestrians and are available on a first-come, first-served undisturbed to replenish the soil and vehicles. The terrain of Austin Creek basis. A backcountry camping permit provide food and shelter for other plants State Recreation Area requires biking is required and can be obtained at the and animals. Firewood can be purchased experience, as the paved and service Armstrong Redwoods ranger station at the park entrance, in the visitor center, roads include 1,000-foot elevation gains. during business hours or at the self-pay or from the park ranger. The paved road to Bullfrog Pond from area at the entrance to Bullfrog Pond Open fires must be confined to the the picnic area is two and one-half miles Campground. Permits for day hiking are stoves provided. Check with the long. Approximately six miles of service not required. visitor center or ranger station on fire roads access the backcountry campsites. Ground fires are prohibited during restrictions. Once you have descended into the East periods of extreme fire danger. However, Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 Austin Creek valley, the terrain becomes camp stoves can still be used for cooking p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Amplified music that relatively flat. in all but the most critical periods of fire can be heard outside your immediate danger, when camping is not permitted area is prohibited at all times. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve UVKVNZVY and Austin Creek State Recreation Area \UH\[OVYPaLKTV[VY]LOPJSLZVUMPYLYVHKZ UV]LOPJSLZKVNZVYIPJ`JSLZ

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Park hours: 8 a.m. to one hour after official sunset

This park is supported in part through a nonprofit organization. For more information and to register for school group visits and docent-led programs contact: Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods P. O. Box 2 Duncan Mills, CA 95430 (707) 869-9177 e-mail: [email protected] www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org