California Creeks - Van Arsdale to Hearst

Eel River below Van Arsdale Dam

Stretch:	Van Arsdale Dam to Hearst bridge
Difficulty:	Class II with one II+
Distance:	11.6 miles, one day
Flows:	Minimum for kayaks 400 cfs, for rafts 800 cfs
Gauge:	measured near put-in (Dreamflows)
Gradient:	12 fpm average
Put-in:	Below Cape Horn dam, elevation 1450'
Take-out:	Hearst Road bridge, elevation 1310'
Shuttle:	47 miles (75 minutes) one-way
Maps:	AAA Northern California, Topo
Season:	winter and spring: rain, snowmelt, dam release
Agency:	USFS, private
Notes:	© 2025 Gerald Meral, photos by Jerry Albright

This river section has outstanding scenery, in a beautiful deep river canyon until near the end. Some homes, especially near the beginning, then a wilderness feel.

The shuttle for this trip takes up to 75 minutes. Access Hearst by taking Valley Road, then right and up Canyon Road, left onto Tomki Road, and finally right and up on Hearst-Willits Road. Do not take Hearst-Willits road from Willits since it includes a ford of Tomki Creek, which will be impassable during boating season. Leave a car at the Hearst Bridge across the Eel, then return to Willits, take 101 to Highway 20 east, turn north on Potter Valley Road, and finally turn right on Eel River Road.

It is possible to put in below Van Arsdale Dam. It is also possible to ask at the Hartstone Bible Camp, which has a great beach. If you intend to contact the camp for access privileges, do so a few days in advance, because this is a busy camp. If there is an active encampment taking place, they may not be able to accommodate you. If you put in there, please make a contribution to the camp so they will continue to welcome kayakers.

In the first two miles below the Hartstone access you will find a few brush hazards, but most of these have been cleaned out by high flows in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Tomki Creek enters on the left several miles below Van Arsdale Dam. It is the largest creek of the many that enter this section. Garcia Creek enters on the right shortly before the longest rapid.

There are numerous class II rapids. The most significant, perhaps a II+ depending on flow, is about a quarter mile below Garcia Creek. Easy rock dodging.

mile
0: Highest put-in at the base of Cape Horn dam.
.8: Beach put-in at Hartstone Bible Camp.
3.6: Tomki Creek enters on the left. See Tomki Creek for this in-a-guidebook run.
7.6: Thomas Creek enters on the right.
9.3: Garcia Creek enters on the right. Class II+ ahead around a left bend.
11.6: Take-out at Hearst Road bridge. Good landing on river left.

Eel River below Van Arsdale Dam

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