The park was established by the Save the Redwoods League in 1921 largely from lands purchased from the Pacific Lumber Company.

[2] 17,000 acres (69 km2) are old-growth redwoods, comprising the entire Bull Creek watershed and the Rockefeller Forest.

In the 1850s white settlers began felling the redwoods, seeking to clear the land for homes and pasture.

About 20 years later the timber industry moved into the region, and railways and roads were routed through the area for accessibility to the trees.

The Dyerville Giant can be seen on Founders Grove Nature Trail, which honors the creators of Save the Redwoods League.

[11] The park has a variety of wildlife such as black-tailed deer, California ground squirrels, gray foxes, and raccoons.