The Dos Rios region lies at the confluence of the Eel River and the Middle Fork of the Eel River. Dos Rios is also a popular starting point for rafting and kayaking trips on a four-day route through the Eel River Canyon to Alderpoint. This route gives a river stay a clear time frame: it is a multi-day undertaking. Birdwatching at the Dos Rios Bridge, viticulture, and the cultural profile of Dos Rios Ranch offer other points of interest. When planning, it is worth first deciding whether the trip itself or one of these other aspects should shape your stay.

River and Landscape

The Eel River also has protected status: it has been designated a state Wild and Scenic River since 1972 and a federal Wild and Scenic River since 1981. The two dates represent different levels of government. Together with its location at the confluence, this shapes the region’s connection to the river, while the paddling route describes a specific way to experience the Eel River Canyon.

Birdwatching at the Dos Rios Bridge

For birdwatching, a turnoff from Highway 162 at mile marker 15.29 leads to the Dos Rios Bridge. On Laytonville-Dos Rios Road, the bridge is about half a mile away; a parking area is located at the south end of the bridge. Mile marker 15.29 identifies the turnoff from Highway 162, while the approximately half-mile distance refers to the stretch on Laytonville-Dos Rios Road. The second figure is an estimate. From the bridge, you can watch schools of king salmon and, occasionally, overwintering ducks. These observations offer different points of interest: schools of fish in the river and seasonal birdwatching. Check the route before you drive.

Culture on the Grounds

Dos Rios Ranch is a summer camp, workshop, and performance center. Summer Feast is a site-specific performance that takes place throughout the Dos Rios grounds. The place itself is therefore part of the performance. If Summer Feast is important to your trip, check the dates in advance before planning your stay around it.

Viticulture in the Dos Rios AVA

Viticulture is another distinctive aspect of Dos Rios. Dos Rios is a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Mendocino County. Vin de Tevis farms six acres of vineyards in the Dos Rios AVA. The designation places the subject in a regional context; the six acres make it tangible at a specific operation. In this way, viticulture is relevant at both the scale of an entire recognized region and that of a measured vineyard area. For travelers interested in viticulture as part of the region’s character, this is a different way to explore the area than a river trip or birdwatching.

Discover more destinations: Hopland, Mendocino, Willits, Boonville, Anchor Bay, Point Arena, Gualala, Fort Bragg

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