The Angelo Coast Range Reserve is open to any qualified user from any educational institution, public or private. All uses must be consistent with University objectives of teaching and research. The reserve is open to the public for day use. However, any public day users caught vandalizing research equipment, research plots or plot markers, or otherwise engaging in behavior deemed harmful or disrespectful to the reserve will be asked to desist or to leave.
The following rules have been designed to preserve the reserve in a natural state for short and long-term studies and to prevent disturbance to ongoing research and educational activities. To ensure that these objectives are met, all persons making use of this reserve must abide by the following rules and regulations. Permission to use the reserve may be withdrawn or denied if any of these rules are violated.
1. You must have completed an application form to carry out class use or professional studies. Projects must not conflict with current research nor diminish the future research or educational value of the reserve. You must file a separate application for each project, class use, or fieldtrip. Applications are valid for one field season only (from date of approval through June 30) but may be renewed annually for the duration estimated on the application. Applications are available on the internet at http://nrs.ucop.edu, by calling 707-984-6653, or by writing to Manager, Angelo Reserve, 42010 Wilderness Lodge Rd. Branscomb, CA 95417. Please apply well in advance of your visit. (Researchers please note Annual Summary requirement at bottom of rules.)
2. Each Non-UC overnight visitor to the reserve must sign and return a release agreement before entering the reserve. Release agreements for minors must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. It is the responsibility of the group leader (the person who signs the application) to find out who in their group must sign a release agreement and to ensure that they are on file with the reserve manager prior to entering the reserve.
3.Entering the reserve is undertaken at your own risk. The reserve is a wilderness area and contains many natural hazards such as steep and rugged slopes, loose rocks, snags, fire hazards, water hazards, and wildlife, all of which are potentially dangerous. Poison oak is nearly everywhere, and mountain lions, bears, wasps and hornets, and rattlesnakes could be encountered at any time. All users should inform another person as to their destination and to their expected time of return. Maps and trail guides are available at the visitor’s kiosk at the reserve entrance.
4. Group leaders are responsible for the behavior of their group. You should inform all members of the rules and you must supervise their activity.
5. In an effort to keep our facility use fee low no janitorial services are provided. Users are expected to leave residences, labs, offices, and shops cleaner than they found them. In this way conditions will improve instead of degrade. Cleaning supplies are provided in all buildings. Failure to adequately cleanup will result in cleaning fees and prejudice future visits by the individual or group.
6. Smoking is not allowed in any reserve buildings, and is allowed outside only around designated campfire rings. Campfires are allowed only around designated rings and may be disallowed in times of extreme fire danger.
7. Reserve roads are steep and narrow with steep drop-offs and soft shoulders. The main reserve road is an all season road passable by most standard cars, trucks and vans. Four-wheel drive is not necessary unless there is snowfall. Trucks with cab-over campers, or cars and vans with large high or wide racks are not recommended. Please observe the under 15mph speed limit and keep in mind that hikers and walkers use the road too. If you slide off the edge of the road or otherwise get stuck, stop and get help. Do not risk your life trying to right a tipping vehicle.
8. Collecting, harvesting, experimental manipulation or any other disturbance to reserve habitats or cultural artifacts requires specific permission from the reserve manager. Users are responsible for obtaining any applicable permits. Recreational fishing or hunting is not allowed. Firearms are not allowed on the reserve without special permission.
9. The reserve borders on private property. Permission is required for use of these areas. Unauthorized use of these areas could jeopardize future use and friendly relations with the owners of these lands. Users are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the reserve boundaries.
10. Pets are not allowed on the reserve as they may interfere with or transmit disease to native wildlife.

Take Hwy 101 north or south to Laytonville (about 4 hours n. of the Bay Area, 3 hours s. of Eureka, 4 hours from Sacramento via Interstate 5 to Hwy 20 to Hwy 101) and turn west onto the Branscomb Rd. Travel about 13 miles to the little mill town of Branscomb. Continue another 3 miles to fork in the road and go right. This is Wilderness Lodge Rd. but there is often no road sign there. Don’t panic, it is the only paved road branching off of Branscomb Rd. between Branscomb and the coast. Wilderness Lodge Rd. will be paved the first 2+ miles, turning to gravel just after crossing the Eel River and continuing another 1.4 miles to Angelo Reserve headquarters building and visitors kiosk. Reserve gate is about 100 yards past headquarters. Close and lock the gate behind you. Angelo home and steward’s residence is 1.4 miles into the reserve from headquarters. Fox Creek Lodge and Wilderness Lodge are 2.8 miles into the reserve from headquarters.

From the coast take Hwy 1 north out of Ft Bragg to Branscomb Rd. 1 mile north of Westport. Turn right and travel just short of 10 miles to Wilderness Lodge Rd. Turn left and follow directions above. Note that there is no road sign visible when coming from the coast so watch your odometer and/or the mileage markers on the side of the road.

When driving on Wilderness Lodge Rd., both the paved and unpaved sections, please mind your speed as the roadway is non standard in width, road surfacing, and sight lines. We recommend you keep your speed at 20 mph or less along the entire length of this road.

The reserve road is quite narrow and winding with soft shoulders and some low overhanging trees. Keep your speed under 15 mph at all times. Full sized trucks and passenger vans can pass the road. Four wheel drive is not necessary, but vehicles with low clearance should proceed with extra caution to avoid the occasional high spot or fallen rock. Trucks with cab-over campers, or vans with camper conversions or high and wide roof racks are not advised. Please carpool as much as possible. There is a public parking lot adjacent to the reserve gate if you want to pool from there into the reserve.

Apartments West & East & Bunkhouse

The West and East apartments are on right as you arrive at the reserve and across the road from the Science Center. Each apartment has two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with two twin beds. Each has a couch that converts to a bed. Guest provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, etc.Each apartment has a bathroom with shower, and a fully equipped kitchen, central heating, wifi. The bunkhouse, located between the two apartments, has 8 beds to accommodate overflow from the apartments. It has no bathroom. Guests are responsible for cleaning the building before they leave. Cleaning supplies are provided.

Wilderness Lodge

Wilderness Lodge is a small 3 bedroom house located in the heart of the reserve. It has wood heat (fire wood provided), a small gas refrigerator, a gas range, full bath, and solar electricity (somewhat limited depending on the season and your electrical needs). Cell service is generally available but you might have to hunt around for a hot spot. Wireless internet is available, no encryption. The kitchen has a variety of utensils that suit most cooking needs. The bedrooms each have one double bed, a small desk and dresser, and a closet. Guests are responsible for cleaning the building before they leave. Cleaning supplies are provided. Guests provide their own bedding or sleeping bag, pillow cover, bath towel. A flashlight is strongly advised for moving about outdoors at night.

Wilderness Lodge is 2.8 miles inside the reserve. From reserve headquarters continue on the county road for approximately 150 yards to the reserve gate. Please leave the gate as you find it. Along the way to Wilderness Lodge you will cross Skunk Creek and Elder Creek, pass the reserve steward’s residence (at 1.4 miles) and Fox Creek itself. Wilderness Lodge is to the left soon after crossing Fox Creek.

Fox Creek Lodge

NOTE: In general field trips for classes at the K-12 level are not scheduled between Memorial Day and Labor Day as they conflict with field station research activities.

Fox Creek Lodge is the reserve group facility. It is located in the heart of the reserve near the confluence of Fox Creek and the S. Fork Eel River. The facility can accommodate 35 people and consists of a dinning hall, five small bunk cabins, and a shower/bath building. Two picnic tables and a fire circle are nearby. Only the dining hall has heat (wood stove, wood provided). All buildings are supplied with solar electricity. Power is somewhat limited depending on the season and on power needs, so check with the reserve manager if you have questions about electrical service. Cell service is generally available but you might have to hunt around for a hot spot. Wireless internet is available, no encryption.

The dinning hall has a large commercial range with a griddle, 6 burners and 2 ovens. There are three gas refrigerators, a large sink, and a variety of pots, pans, utensils and dining service for most cooking needs. There are three insulated coffee carafes with filter cones. Compost is collected by the reserve steward, recycling containers are provided, but you are requested to take your garbage with you. The bunk cabins have plain wood bunks and no pads, and are not heated. They have one light each. The shower/bath building has a men’s and women’s toilet and sink, the shower is shared. Flashlights are strongly advised for moving between the buildings at night. Groups are responsible for cleaning the facility before leaving the reserve. Cleaning supplies are provided.

Fox Creek Lodge is located 2.8 miles inside the reserve. From reserve headquarters continue on the county road for approximately 150 yards to the reserve gate. Please leave the gate as you find it. Along the way to Fox Creek Lodge you will cross Skunk Creek and Elder Creek, pass the reserve steward’s residence (at 1.4 miles) and Fox Creek itself. Turn up to the right just after crossing Fox Creek.

Science Center

The science center is located at the entrance to the reserve and consists of dry and wet labs, lath house, computer room, library/collections room, class room, and reserve office. There is a small kitchen to serve the class room. Phone service is available as is wireless internet access.