Hwy 36

CARLOTTAVan Duzen River KNEELAN D R D

Van Duzen River

NOT ALL STREETS SHOWN MAP NOT TO SCALE ©2022 101 Things To Do®

WEOTT Humboldt Redwoods State Park 37 Scenic Highway 36 & Grizzly Creek State Park One of the most beautiful stretches of road in Humboldt County, Hwy 36 winds its way up, down, around, along, over and through some of the prettiest meadows, forests, rivers, rolling hills and rugged mountains in northern California. If you like taking pictures, this is an incredibly photogenic drive.

Rather than level the road, the original construction crew followed the lay of the land when they built it, producing swinging twists and turns that make this route particularly fun on two wheels. In places it winds around mountainsides with jagged cliffs and steep drop-offs. The pavement is nearly perfect; motorcyclists give this ride rave reviews, but it’s also a gorgeous, fun drive if you’re in a car. But please drive carefully, especially at night.

About 20 minutes out from your starting point on US Hwy 101 you’ll find Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Located on the tranquil Van Duzen River, this 400 acre stand of redwoods with 28 campsites is a gem. Reservations are recommended if you plan on spending the night. Unlike many other parks, Grizzly Creek’s campgrounds are open year-round.

This area was impacted by the fires in 2019-2021. Make sure to check availability for trails and campsites. Highway 36 has been undergoing construction to straighten some of the tight curves and improve road safety. It is recommended that you call 1-800-427-7623 or visit roads.dot.ca.gov to check current conditions before you leave. Cell service is very limited, as are gas stops. WHERE: 3 miles south of Fortuna on Hwy 101 take Hwy 36 east at Alton. From there it’s 17 miles to Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Other distances from Alton: 47 miles to Mad River, 58 miles to Ruth Lake and 136 miles to Red Bluff.

38 Rohner Park Fortuna’s Rohner Park has a long history of memory-making for local folks and visitors alike. Nestled in a sunny spot, bounded by natural creeks and even home to a grove of old-growth redwoods, it’s perfect for short hikes, picnics and hours of play. So treat yourself and your family to a day in the park. It features a playground, tot lot, horseshoe pits, basketball court and immaculate baseball fields — even free Wi-Fi. There are many beautiful trails on the hillside where you can get lost in the ferns and see some of the oldest redwoods in the area, all within blocks of a small town main street.

The park is a favorite celebration spot and offers an updated cook shack, deep pit barbecue pits and a large picnic area with an outdoor fireplace. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, community breakfasts and hundreds of family reunions have taken place at the long tables in this wonderful outdoor party room.

Rohner Park’s famous rodeo grounds have been the training grounds for most of the area’s cowgirls and cowboys, and each summer hosts the Fortuna Rodeo. Fortuna’s beloved Depot Museum, which holds many of the city’s historical records, artifacts and treasures, is located at the park’s entrance. The Firemen’s Pavilion has hosted weekend roller-skating for several generations and is also a favorite dance and party venue. WHERE: 5 Park St., off Main Street, Fortuna MORE INFO: 707-725-7620, FriendlyFortuna.com

Mad R i v e r 39 Fortuna Depot Museum In 1889 the Eel River and Eureka Railroad constructed a depot at the foot of 7th Street. It remained in service through 1965, and in 1974 the City of Fortuna DINSMORE Mad Riverpurchased it and moved Ranger Stationit to Rohner Park. The MAD depot building opened as a VANDUZEN RD MADRIVER RD RIVER museum on July 4, 1976 amid Bicentennial celebrations. Featured displays include railroad and logging artifacts, a collection of local Native To Hwy 3, I-5 & Red Blu 36 American basketry, a general store display, a fishing collection, a Rohner family history exhibit in the old ticket office, and the Fortuna and Scotia Volunteer Fire Department exhibit. In the museum’s Reference Room visitors can research genealogy and local history. Reference Room resources include 35 Fortuna Union High School RUTH scrapbooks of newspaper clippings dating from the 1920s through the present, compiled by LAKE the FUHS librarians and students. There is also a complete collection of the high school’s Megaphone yearbook, from 1906 to the present.

Admission is free. Open June through August daily, noon to 4:30pm; September through May, RUTH ZEN I A RD Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4:30pm. WHERE: 3 Park St., Fortuna (Rohner Park) MORE INFO: 707-725-7645, SunnyFortuna.com/museum

Here is your chance to explore Headwaters Forest Reserve with a knowledgeable guide, a park ranger who will introduce you to the wonders of this magical old-growth forestland. The first half mile of the trail passes through a young to mid-aged forest with views of restored watershed areas. The next 2 miles ascend through the old-growth redwood forest with a stunning view across the Salmon Creek watershed before looping back as it descends through the old growth. This hike is considered moderately strenuous, and is difficult for children under 10. The round trip is about 2.7 miles long and takes 3 to 4 hours. Guided hikes are offered May through November, and are available by reservation only. There is a newly-instituted volunteer guide program in place permitting Salmon Pass tours to be offered more often. WHERE: Meet at the Headwaters information kiosk at Newburg Park in Fortuna. Follow the ranger through Newburg Gate 3.5 miles on gravel road to the trailhead. MORE INFO: Call the BLM office at 707-825-2300. Search BLM.gov for Salmon Pass Trail.