Willow Creek (formerly China Flat)[4] is a census-designated place (CDP) in Humboldt County, California, United States.

The town is located around 30 miles (48 km) from county seat and harbor city Eureka.

Willow Creek is described as a "rugged mountain community nestled in the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest."

This area of California is located in the Trinity/Shasta/Cascade Region, near the Oregon border, and is easily reached via State Routes 299 and 96 (the "Bigfoot Scenic Byway").

[5] The roadhead of the Bluff Creek / Fish Lake Road, near which many alleged Bigfoot sightings and footprint finds occurred, is about 50 miles (80 km) north, along Route 96.

[6] Willow Creek's first non-indigenous settlers were Chinese laborers from the mining and lumber camps, which earned the town the name China Flat.

[7] Summer highs are extremely hot compared to areas of the county affected by coastal fog.

[13] Federally, Willow Creek is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.

[14] Willow Creek was served for many decades by the weekly Klamity Kourier newspaper, which closed in 2006 and was quickly replaced by the Bigfoot Valley News.

[15] The Bigfoot Valley News has since closed, but the regional newspaper, Two Rivers Tribune (www.tworiverstribune.com), opened in 1994 and is still going strong.[16][when?]

Its news coverage area is from Burnt Ranch to Happy Camp, 97.5 miles (156.9 km) [17][better source needed] (by Routes 299 and 96) to the north.