State Park

Richardson Grove State Park

Garberville, Humboldt CountyManaged by California State Parks · North Coast Redwoods District

40.0171, -123.7928

Nearest town: Garberville
Map status: Verified pin
Visit conditions: 1 update
Research reviewed: Aug 17, 2026

Conditions

Check before visiting

Currently closed: Oak Flat Campground, per the May 2026 park infosheet

Field guide

Know before you go

Size: About 2,000 acres per the 2026 infosheet and brochure; the park page says 1,800
Location: Highway 101, 7 miles south of Garberville; the highway bisects the park
Hours: Day use sunrise to sunset
Fee: $8 per vehicle per day. California Explorer, Golden Poppy, Disabled Discount, Distinguished Veteran, Golden Bear, Senior Golden Bear and California State Library passes accepted
Visitor center: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Friday–Monday, 10am–4pm, in the 1928–1930 Richardson Grove Lodge
Trails: 9 miles. Grove Nature Trail (0.5 mi accessible loop), Redwood Exhibit Trail (0.22 mi accessible, passes under Highway 101), Settlers Trail Loop (0.7 mi), Woodland Loop (1.6 mi, 500 ft gain), Lookout Point Loop (2.4 mi, 340 ft gain), the combined 4-mile loop, Toumey Trail (3.8 mi round trip)
Campgrounds: Huckleberry (36 sites, year-round), Madrone (40, year-round), Oak Flat (94, summer only), Dawn Redwood group site (9–40 people). About 169 family sites total
Off-season camping: Madrone only, first come first served, Labor Day to Memorial Day
Reservations: ReserveCalifornia, (800) 444-7275. Up to six months ahead; 15-night maximum per calendar year
Vehicle limits: Motorhomes to 30 feet, trailers to 24 feet
Seasonal bridge: The bridge to Oak Flat is removed each rainy season, closing the Toumey and Settlers trail routes
Swimming: June and July are the best months; main holes near Dawn Redwood Group Campground. Harmful algae blooms possible in late summer. No diving or jumping, no lifeguards
Accessibility: Three accessible campsites in Huckleberry (#14, #23, #33); two accessible trails; accessible parking at the visitor center. The brochure claims six accessible sites across Huckleberry and Madrone — the Accessible Features page lists only the three
Dogs: Six-foot maximum leash at all times and physically under control. State Parks publishes no trail-specific pet rule for this park — confirm with the park at (707) 247-3318
Wildlife: Black-tailed deer, gray foxes, river otters, occasional black bears and mountain lions; bald eagles, great blue herons, osprey, marbled murrelets
Phone: Park (707) 247-3318; district office (707) 445-6547

The place

About Richardson Grove State Park

A 1.1-mile stretch of U.S. 101 runs through this park, and it's the last place on the entire highway that turns back industry-standard trucks. Curves through the old growth are too tight for them. STAA trucks are barred north of Leggett because of it.

Caltrans has been trying to realign that segment since 2007. On April 1, 2026 the First District Court of Appeal upheld a Humboldt County judgment finding the project complied with CEQA, ending more than 15 years of litigation. Caltrans said construction was anticipated to begin in late May or early June 2026; as of mid-August its project page still lists the start date as undetermined. Check Caltrans for current traffic control rather than assuming the road is torn up.

Camping availability has shifted too. Of roughly 169 family sites across four campgrounds, 94 are at Oak Flat, which the May 2026 info sheet lists as currently closed. Oak Flat sits across the South Fork Eel, reached by a bridge State Parks pulls every rainy season. That bridge also carries the Toumey and Settlers trails, so both are summer routes. Off season, Madrone is the only campground taking walk-ups.

June and July are the swimming months, and State Parks says so for a reason: harmful algae blooms may appear in the river in late summer, and ingesting algae can hurt young children and pets. Main swimming holes sit near the Dawn Redwood Group Campground. No diving or jumping, no lifeguards.

Sinkyone people lived among these redwoods first and held them sacred. The park began in 1922 with 120 acres and has grown to about 2,000. Richardson Grove Lodge, built between 1928 and 1930, is now the visitor center, open Friday through Monday, 10am to 4pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Three self-guided nature trails start there. The Grove Interpretive Trail begins at the bat tree.

Same area

Explore nearby

Open the map

State Recreation AreaBenbow State Recreation Area Garberville · 3 mi Tourist AttractionParadise Royale Mountain Bike Trail System Shelter Cove · 14 mi National Conservation AreaKing Range National Conservation Area Shelter Cove · 15 mi National Conservation AreaBlack Sands Beach Shelter Cove · 15 mi

Local planning questions

Frequently asked

Is Oak Flat Campground open at Richardson Grove?

No. The park's May 2026 info sheet lists Oak Flat as currently closed. That removes 94 of the park's roughly 169 family sites, so book early at Huckleberry, Madrone or the Dawn Redwood group site through ReserveCalifornia. Oak Flat is a summer-only campground in any case, reached by a bridge that comes out each rainy season.

Is Highway 101 under construction through Richardson Grove?

A court of appeal cleared the realignment project on April 1, 2026 after more than 15 years of litigation, and Caltrans said work was anticipated to start in late May or early June 2026. Caltrans hasn't published confirmation that construction began, and its project page still shows the start date as undetermined. Check Caltrans District 1 for current traffic control before you drive it.

Can you swim at Richardson Grove?

Yes, in the South Fork Eel River. State Parks names June and July as the best months because harmful algae blooms may appear in the river later in summer, and ingesting algae can be harmful to young children and pets. The main swimming holes are near the Dawn Redwood Group Campground. Diving and jumping are not permitted and no lifeguards are on duty.

How much does Richardson Grove State Park cost?

Day use is $8 per vehicle. The park accepts California Explorer, Golden Poppy, Disabled Discount, Distinguished Veteran, Golden Bear, Senior Golden Bear and California State Library Parks passes. Camping rates aren't published on the park's pages — check ReserveCalifornia or call (707) 247-3318.

Are dogs allowed at Richardson Grove?

Dogs are allowed in the park on a leash no longer than six feet, at all times and physically under control. Unlike some nearby state parks, Richardson Grove's official materials don't state a trail ban, but they don't grant trail access either — call the park at (707) 247-3318 before planning a hike with a dog.

Official and supporting sources

Research reconciled 2026-08-17. Closures, fees, permits and hours can change.