For Labor Day weekend, we decided to add a few miles on the truck and traveled approximately 5 hours to Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP. Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP is a small park, only covering a few acres. Along the campground lies the Van Duzen River, which provides a home to fish and a lot of frogs. Word on the street is the park is scheduled to close soon due to budgetary cuts. After spending one night at the park…we quickly understood why.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP – September 2011
Rating: 1 out of 5
Location: Located 20 miles southeast of Eureka off of Hwy 36.
Amenities: Flushing toilets and showers
Pets: Allowed at no additional charge
Sites: 22 and 23
Pros: The campground is small so there are only a few sites available for campers. The campground is located off of Hwy 36, which is is fairly close to Hwy 101. From 101, you can easily drive to Fortuna, Ferndale, and beyond. Ferndale is a quaint Victorian town with a few antique stores. Fun way to spend an hour. Further north is Eureka and Patrick’s Point. We didn’t make it all the way to Patrick’s Point but we stopped at the Trinidad State Beach where dogs are allowed. After a small hike down steep steps, an amazing secluded beach can be found.
Cons: Campsites are extremely close together and there are no barriers (trees, bushes, etc) between the sites. The park is literally right off Hwy 36 so throughout the night, streaming cars can be heard. The locals love to honk their horns while passing the campground too, which is quite annoying. The restrooms were quaint so don’t bother blow-drying your hair. Expect the “plumbing” to be backed up because there isn’t much privacy. The stall doors are so short…even I can see over the top! The “river” is more like a murky pond of moss and algae. Save your money and go further north to Patrick’s Point!