Madrone Campground

Boating season on the south fork of the Eel river is a great time to be out at Richardson Grove! People often take drift boats out on the water, and from there choose from a number of runs. Many of these runs you can end up having to yourself - just you, your boat and the river.

The South Fork of the Eel River is great for fishing, especially in the Fall and Winter seasons. It is during those seasons that spawning salmon and steelhead return, making the fork a great spot for catch-and-release fishing.

Hiking at Richardson Grove can make for an unforgettable trek. There are several longer trails located outside the main grove. Proceed with caution, though – whoever made these had a real hankering for some burning calf muscles (read: there are lots of hills). In our opinion, it’s best to hit these early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This way, you get lots of awesome yellow light seeping through the leaves like magic. Got your shoes on yet?

Typically in the springtime, with some help from melted snow, the Eel river is deep enough for kayaking and canoeing on several different runs. The river is always clean, meaning it is a nice refreshing break for hikers or park visitors on any given day.

The South Fork of the Eel River is a great, popular spot for swimming , especially during summer months. The river is a refreshing spot to cool off after a long hike, or an ideal place to just float and watch all the action (fisherman, kayakers, wildlife – you name it!).

Whitewater Rafting on the Eel River is a downright blast. Don’t let the name scare you, there are no eels in the water (at least that we know of). Rapids, however, are a different story. This rugged part of California’s backcountry features class III rapids, which can be taken with the help of an adventure tour.

For those of you who are constantly on the lookout for wildlife , don’t let your guard down here! In this state park visitors can spot animals such as elk, deer, bears, wild turkey, condors, hawks, eagles and more.