Benbow Lake State Recreation Area

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Benbow Lake State Recreation Area is a recreation area administered by the California State Department of Parks and Recreation. It is located in Humboldt County.

To provide power for the new development in the Garberville, California area, a concrete dam was constructed across the south fork of the Eel River in 1928. The dam not only provided power but also created Benbow Lake.

The Benbow family, interested in preserving the natural scene around the Hotel and 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 (0.8 km²) were purchased in 1958.

Today the park consists of about 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) with 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.

The lake is located 2 miles (3 km) south of Garberville on U.S. Route 101.