Area 1,142 acres (4.62 km) Established 1958 | Phone +1 707-247-3318 | |
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Location Humboldt County, California, USA Nearest city Garberville, California Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation Address 445 Lake Benbow Dr, Garberville, CA 95542, USA Management California Department of Parks and Recreation Similar Richardson Grove State Park, Admiral William Standley, Grizzly Creek Redwood, George J Hatfield State Rec, Azalea State Natural R | ||
Benbow Lake State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California in the United States. It surrounds Benbow Lake, a reservoir on the South Fork Eel River. It is located in Humboldt County 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Garberville on U.S. Route 101.
A concrete dam was constructed across the South Fork Eel River in 1928 to provide hydroelectric power for development in Garberville, impounding a reservoir. The Benbow family, interested in preserving the natural scene 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 (84 ha) were purchased in 1958.
Today the park has grown to 1,142 acres (462 ha). There are campsites and a large day-use picnic area. Hiking, picnicking and camping are popular summer time activities, while salmon and steelhead fishing are popular in the winter.