Our Mission The mission of California 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, cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. these acres of redwoods were saved for all time—to inspire, dazzle and awe many California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who future generations of need assistance should contact the park at (707) 777-3683. This publication is available park visitors. in alternate formats by contacting: 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 Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park 16949 Highway 36 Carlotta, CA 95528 (707) 777-3683 © 2011 California State Parks G rizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Hokan and Yukian. Though distinct from Rancheria, offers a sense of seclusion and intimacy one another, they still shared many cultural maintaining that has endeared it to generations of traits. Ethnographers have codified this cultural and visitors. Nearly 30 miles inland from the region as a Northern California culture area. ancestral coast, the lush, green, 393-acre park is Native groups traded with each other; local ties while an unspoiled gem. Towering ancient objects such as ceremonial blades and shell retaining and redwoods guard three separate parcels of beads have been identified as far away as practicing unspoiled riverfront. America’s Deep South and East Coast. their own Athabascan-speaking ceremonies traditions. PARK HISTORY often included multiple groups, and American Settlers California Indians intermarriage between groups was common. In the late 1860s, the Van Duzen River For thousands of years, native California Many local indigenous people spoke or still area—named for New Jersey gold seeker Indians known as Nongatl lived in this area. speak two or more languages. James Van Duzen—was a stagecoach The Nongatl speak Athabascan, a distinct With the coming of Europeans and stopover and resort. When the State of language family whose speakers range from Americans, native lands around the Van California acquired the acreage in 1943, the Arctic Circle, along the North American Duzen River were turned into farms and the river and its banks had long been west coast from Alaska to Humboldt County. ranches. The new settlers insisted that the popular with visitors. Four distinct language families still exist Indians be relocated, so U.S. Army troops in the local region: Athabascan, Algic, from Fort Humboldt took the Nongatl NATURAL RESOURCES people to the Wildlife Round Valley, Hupa Black-tailed deer watch for bobcats or Valley and Smith mountain lions. Tracks of California black River Reservations bears, raccoons and river otters may dot in the 1860s. Many the river’s damp banks on any morning. of these people Beautiful pileated woodpeckers eventually returned hammer at the trees, in the company of to their homelands, dark-eyed juncos, northern spotted owls, and the Rohnerville winter wrens and boisterous Steller’s Rancheria was jays. Great blue herons fish among the established north of river rocks. Fortuna in 1910. Endangered marbled murrelets nest Some descendants in the redwood canopy, but corvids of the Nongatl (jays, crows and ravens) prey upon their belong to the eggs and chicks. Please do not drop food Bear River Band or crumbs. One of many dedicated redwood groves of Rohnerville Habitats Family site reservations may be made Coast redwood trees dominate the at www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444- park. Near the eastern boundary of the 7275. To reserve the group site for up to redwoods’ range, the trees rely on winter 40 people, call (707) 777-3683. Cheatham rains and morning fog for survival. As Grove has five first-come, first-served climate change accelerates, experts fear environmental sites; register at the Grizzly that diminished rain and fog may cause the Creek entrance. loss of some redwoods as well as Boating—The Van Duzen River fluctuates other plants and animals that depend on in depth seasonally, but strong river these forests. currents make rafting and kayaking in Some typical redwood understory plants winter and early spring a Class III adventure. • Do not feed wildlife. Store all food and include three-leaf white trillium, purple Picnicking—open for day use. To scented items in bear-resistant lockers. calypso orchids (lady slippers), fairy reserve a 30-unit group picnic area, • Fires are permitted only in the stoves or lanterns, wild ginger and Douglas irises. call (707) 777-3683. fire rings provided by the park. Douglas-fir, tanoak and big leaf maple Trails—4.5 miles of trails offer scenic views. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES trees grow among various ferns, mosses, Swimming—Grizzly Creek joins the Van wild huckleberries and salal. Duzen River to create a popular swimming The visitor center, two campsites, routes of spot. Use caution in the strong currents; no travel, restrooms and three picnic tables Owen R. Cheatham Grove are accessible. Assistance may be needed. About four miles west of the visitor center, lifeguards are on duty. Fishing—In late fall and early winter, Accessibility in parks is continually the ancient redwoods of Cheatham Grove improving. Visit http://access.parks.ca.gov stand among redwood sorrel. The beauty of steelhead and salmon migrate from the ocean. All anglers aged 16 and over must or call (916) 445-8949 for details this grove—named for Owen R. Cheatham, or updates. founder of what would become the Georgia- carry a valid California fishing license. Pacific Plywood and Lumber Company— INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS NEARBY state parks inspired Cheatham to spare the trees for • Fort Humboldt State Historic Park The visitor center has a schedule of events others to enjoy. 3431 Fort Ave., Eureka 95503 and programs including summer campfire In 1983, thanks to the Save the Redwoods (707) 445-6567 programs, nature walks and the Junior League, California State Parks acquired the • Humboldt Redwoods State Park Ranger program. Take a self-guided tour on Cheatham Grove, one of more than 1,000 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott 95571 the Nature Trail near the campground. dedicated redwood “honor” or memorial (707) 946-2311 groves donated by League benefactors. PLEASE REMEMBER This park receives support in part through the • Dogs must be on a leash no more than RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association six feet long and must be confined to a PO Box 276 • Weott, CA 95571 Camping—Grizzly Creek has 30 family tent or vehicle at night. Except for service sites, a group site and one hike/bike site. (707) 946-2263 animals, pets are not allowed on trails. www.humboldtredwoods.org .