South Fork Eel River · near Garberville

Benbow day-use river access

A signed state-park day-use area with parking, picnic facilities, and a South Fork river beach. The former dam and lake no longer exist.

Also known as: Benbow State Recreation Area, Benbow Lake

Parking: Main day-use parking is past the entrance station off Lake Benbow Drive. State Parks says there is no day-use parking in the campground.
Fees: California State Parks currently lists an $8 vehicle day-use fee and notes that rates can change.
Restrictions: Diving is not permitted and no lifeguard is on duty. The current park restriction concerns the campground dump station, not the day-use river area.
Facilities: Parking, Restrooms, Drinking water, Picnic area, Beach area

Current information for this part of the river

Weather

National Weather Service

River reading

U.S. Geological Survey

Current park notices

California State Parks

A gauge reports flow at one station. It does not measure swimming safety or conditions at every river spot. Check California's current harmful-algal-bloom reports map ↗

Sources and verification

Manager: California State Parks. Geographic coordinates use the OpenStreetMap snapshot described on the Sources page.