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NOTICE: This facility will be closed until further notice.

BENBOW LAKE SRA, CA

Description

Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15

A popular destination, Benbow Lake SRA was first established in 1958. Prior to that, the area was used by settlers, ranchers and loggers until 1922 when the Benbow family purchased much of the land in the valley Some of the land was subdivided and sold for home sites. The Benbow Hotel, as it was originally named, was build in 1925 and opened for business in 1926.

To provide power for the new development in the valley , a concrete dam was constructed across the south fork of the Eel River in 1928. The dam not only provided power but also created Benbow Lake.

The Benbow family, interested in preserving the natural scene around the Hotel and along the river, made efforts to place the land under State protection. In 1956 funds were approved for the Benbow Project and the first 207 acres were purchased in 1958.

Today the park consists of about 1,200 acres with 75 campsites and a large day-use picnic area. The campground is open year round and reservations can be made from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Hiking, swimming, picnicking and camping are popular summer time activities, while salmon and steelhead fishing are popular in the winter.

Park Kiosk Hours:

  • Hi Season: 8am-10pm
  • Lo Season: Varies

Services & Amenities:

Within Facility
  • ADA Access
  • Boating
  • Comfort Station
  • Disabled Access Site
  • Dump Station
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing
  • Hiking Trails
  • Parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Ranger Station
  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Swimming
  • Telephone
Alerts and Important Information
Due to service reductions, Benbow Lake SRA is closed.

Please note that the Dam will not be going in this year. For more information please go to www.parks.ca.gov!and then to Benbow Lake SRA and click on Lake and Dam FAQs link. Discount Pass must be presented at the time of check in.

Your DMV Disabled Placard/License Plate does not automatically give you a discount on your campsite. You will need to obtain a CA State park-issued Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veterans Pass (DVP).

  • Camping fees include entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle or trailer, additional vehicles will be charged per night at the park. The park staff will collect any extra vehicle fees upon entry.
  • Closed to camping when not on reservations.
  • The campground entrance has a low water crossing over the South Fork of the Eel River, which may not be accessible during high river flow. Individual campsites-Maximum allowable stay is thirty (30) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than fifteen (15) of these nights permitted during the summer season (May 1 through September 30).
    Group and Environmental campsites-Maximum allowable stay is fourteen (14) nights per calendar year per park, with no more than seven (7) nights of consecutive use per visit.
    After maximum allowable consecutive use has been reached no person or equipment may re-enter the same park to use any camping facilities until the expiration of at least two nights (48 hours).

Getting There:

Park is 2 miles south of Garberville on Hwy 101.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

BENBOW LAKE SRA
1600 US HIGHWAY 101, #8
GARBERVILLE CA 95542

Phone Number:

Information: (707)923-3238