Benbow State Recreation Area
🌲 Gateway to the Redwoods — Where the South Fork Eel River Runs Free Through Ancient Forests — Benbow State Recreation Area in Humboldt County, California, along U.S. Highway 101 near Garberville, South Fork Eel River (Wild & Scenic River), natural gravel swimming beaches, seasonal campground in redwood and oak groves, gateway to Avenue of the Giants, near Richardson Grove, Benbow Historic Inn (1926), salmon and steelhead habitat — Humboldt County, CA
Drive north on Highway 101, past the last strip malls and fast food, past the vineyards and the dry hills of Mendocino County. The road enters a valley of redwoods and oaks, and the South Fork of the Eel River appears — wide, clear, running over gravel bars. This is Benbow. The beginning of Redwood Country.
Until 2017, they used to dam the river here every summer to create “Benbow Lake.” They tore the dam out for the salmon. What’s left is better — a natural river with gravel beaches, swimming holes carved by the current, and a campground in the shade of old oaks and young redwoods. The Avenue of the Giants starts just upstream.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Natural gravel beaches on the South Fork Eel River. Swimming holes in summer when the water drops. No lifeguards. The river is cold, clear, and free-flowing — the way it was before the dam |
| Camping | Seasonal campground (Memorial Day–Labor Day) in a mix of oak and redwood groves. Tent and RV sites. Shaded. The river is a short walk away |
| Fishing | Catch-and-release fishing for steelhead and salmon. The dam removal restored fish passage — steelhead now run freely through the park. Check California DFW for regulations and seasonal closures |
| Day Use | Picnic area open year-round (sunrise–sunset). River access. Shade under the oaks. A perfect stop on the 101 corridor |
| Gateway | The park sits at the southern end of the Avenue of the Giants — the 31-mile drive through some of the largest old-growth redwoods on Earth. Richardson Grove is 5 miles south |
The Dam That Came Down
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1926 | The Benbow Inn opens — a mock-Tudor resort hotel that becomes a destination for Hollywood elite. The South Fork Eel River is dammed each summer to create a swimming lake |
| 1960s–2000s | The summer dam becomes a tradition — “Benbow Lake” draws swimmers and sunbathers. But the dam blocks salmon and steelhead migration. Fish populations decline |
| 2017 | The summer dam is permanently removed to restore fish passage. Salmon and steelhead can now migrate freely through the park. The “lake” is gone; the river is back |
| Present | The South Fork Eel runs free. Gravel beaches replace the impoundment. Steelhead return. The river is healthier than it’s been in decades |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ River swimming at its best. Low, warm water. Campground open. Gravel beaches. Long sunny days in the valley |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Quieter. River still swimmable early fall. Salmon beginning their run. Avenue of the Giants in autumn light |
| Spring (Mar–May) | River running high and cold. Wildflowers. Redwoods greening. Day use only — campground not yet open |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Steelhead fishing season. Rain — lots of rain. The Eel River in full flood. Dramatic but wet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still a lake?
No — the summer dam was permanently removed in 2017. “Benbow Lake” no longer exists. The South Fork Eel River now runs freely through the park. There are natural swimming holes and gravel beaches, but no impounded lake.
Is the Benbow Inn part of the park?
No — the Benbow Historic Inn is a separate, privately owned hotel adjacent to the state recreation area. Built in 1926, it’s a Tudor-style resort that’s a destination in its own right.
🌲 They Tore Down the Dam. The Salmon Came Back.
For 90 years, they dammed the Eel River for a summer swimming hole. In 2017, they chose the fish over the lake. Now steelhead run free, gravel beaches replace the impoundment, and the Avenue of the Giants starts just upstream.
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