Reynolds Wayside Campground facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reynolds Wayside Campground |
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 Reynolds Wayside Campground
Location in California
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| Location | Mendocino County, California, US |
| Created | 1966 |
| Operator | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Reynolds Wayside Campground is a state park in Mendocino County, California, United States. It is a special place with beautiful redwood trees.
A man named Frank W. Reynolds and his wife bought this land in 1928. They turned it into a fun resort called Reynolds Redwood Flat in 1930. After Mr. Reynolds passed away in 1962, the land was rented out for a while.
In 1966, the California state government bought the land. They wanted to remember Mr. Reynolds and protect the redwood trees from being cut down. The state built 50 campsites there and changed the name to Reynolds State Recreation Area. Later, it got its current name.
However, in 1976, the campsites were removed. The land was then considered "extra" by the state. In 1984, some of the land was traded with a timber company. This trade helped to add land to Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.
As of May 2021, Reynolds Wayside Campground is about 38 acres (15 hectares). It has areas for hiking and gives visitors access to the Eel River. Camping is no longer allowed here.
The Park's Story
How It All Started
Frank W. Reynolds bought this land in 1928 because it was so beautiful. He later became a member of California's forestry board, which helps manage forests. The land was very large, about 419 acres (170 hectares). It had land on both sides of the Eel River and included 97 acres (39 hectares) of old redwood forest.
In 1930, Mr. Reynolds and his wife built a resort called Reynolds Redwood Flat. It had 24 cabins, a two-story building, and their own home.
Mr. Reynolds died in 1962. After his death, the resort was rented out. In 1965, the state forestry board decided to create a memorial for him. Mrs. Reynolds offered to sell the land to the state for a lower price.
Saving the Redwoods
A state senator named Frank S. Petersen suggested a law to buy 412 acres (167 hectares) of the land. However, the California parks division disagreed. They preferred to protect redwoods by making existing parks bigger, not by creating new ones. The state also worried that a new highway might cut through the land. But Senator Petersen said the highway would only touch one edge of the resort.
Logging companies then wanted to buy the property. To save the land, the California Public Works department bought it. This purchase happened because of a law supported by Senator Petersen and another state lawmaker, Frank P. Belotti. The Redwood Empire Association also helped make this happen.
The land was bought for $230,000. Another $50,000 was used to get rights for roads. News reports at the time gave slightly different sizes for the land bought. One said it was 419 acres (170 hectares), and another said 375 acres (152 hectares). After the state bought the land, some people suggested keeping the old buildings and making a redwoods museum there.
Changes Over Time
In 1967, the property was renamed Reynolds State Recreation Area. It was meant for people to enjoy the outdoors. It was easy to reach from U.S. Route 101. That same year, 50 campsites were added for people to stay overnight.
The park had picnic tables, stoves, and toilets. It cost $1 per night to camp. A private company ran shops and sold souvenirs. By 1969, maps from the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) called the place Reynolds State Wayside Campground.
In 1976, the campsites were removed. In 1977, the land was declared "surplus," meaning the state no longer needed it for its original purpose. Mendocino County decided not to buy 270 acres (109 hectares) of this extra land.
In 1983, a state lawmaker named Dan Hauser proposed a land trade. About 350 acres (142 hectares) of Reynolds Wayside Campground would be traded with a company called Georgia-Pacific. In return, the state would get 136 acres (55 hectares) at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and a new hiking trail. Some groups worried that Georgia-Pacific would cut down the redwood forest.
The trade was completed by 1984. About 310 acres (125 hectares) from Reynolds Wayside Campground were traded for 130.7 acres (53 hectares) at Sinkyone. As of May 2021, Reynolds Wayside Campground is 38 acres (15 hectares). It has limited parking, but you can hike there and reach the Eel River. Remember, camping is not allowed anymore.
