Much of the site's land was exchanged with a timber company for territory at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park in 1984.

As of May 2021[update], Reynolds Wayside Campground contains 38 acres (15 ha) of land, including area for hiking and access to the Eel River.

Frank W. Reynolds, later a California forestry board member from 1941 to 1955,[1] purchased the site in 1928 due to its natural beauty.

[1] After logging interests sought to buy the property, California Public Works purchased the site to preserve it.

The government purchase was the result of a bill sponsored by state legislators Petersen and Frank P. Belotti.

An April 26, 1966, article in the Ukiah Daily Journal reported that the purchase encompassed 419 acres with highway access and land on both sides of the Eel River,[2] while a May 13, 1966, article in the Daily Independent Journal stated that the purchase only consisted of 375 acres (152 ha) between the highway and the river.

[10] In 1983, a bill created by state legislator Dan Hauser proposed exchanging 350 acres (140 ha) of land at the site, now known as Reynolds Wayside Campground, with Georgia-Pacific for 136 acres (55 ha) at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and the construction of a hiking trail.