Benbow dam was constructed across the South Fork Eel River in 1931 to provide hydroelectric power for development in Garberville, impounding a reservoir.

[1] The Benbow family, interested in preserving the natural scene 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 (84 ha) were purchased in 1958.

[2] Due to the negative impact on the migrating salmon and damage to the river banks, work began to remove the dam in August 2016.

[4] There are campsites and a large day-use picnic area.