Headwaters Forest Reserve

The Headwaters Forest Reserve, located on Palco Road 1 in Fortuna, California, is a 7,472-acre park and tourist attraction established in 1999 to protect the last unprotected, intact, old-growth redwood forest ecosystem. Home to several threatened species such as coho salmon, the northern spotted owl, and the marbled murrelet, the Reserve offers visitors a chance to experience and learn about the unique redwood ecosystem and cultural history through trails like the Elk River, South Side, and Salmon Pass trails. The Headwaters Education Center, open on Sundays from June through August, provides further insight into the area's history. The Reserve, managed by the BLM in consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, biking, and guided hikes along the Salmon Pass Trail. To ensure a successful visit, visitors are encouraged to make reservations for guided hikes and to be respectful of the Reserve and other visitors.