5 Reasons to Love Fortuna's Rohner Park

For over 100 years, Rohner Park has been the center of many of the area's most memorable activities and celebrations. The park is home to Eel River Valley Little League, the Fortuna Rodeo, the city's skating rink, popular walking and hiking trails and a wide variety of events that bring family and friends together; including the annual carnival and more recently, Hops in Humboldt. 

There are many things to love about Rohner Park and here are 5 of our favorites.  Are we missing your favorite? Let us know in the comments.  

Rohner Park Redwood Forest Trails

Tucked behind the park's skating rink are gorgeous hiking trails that run through mature, second growth redwoods. The trails are great for a casual hike, exercise, picnics and as a place to spot the wildlife that call this part of the park home. 

At one time, you could drive through the trees and it's the old service road that splits the trails into two sections although they all connect together.  To the right side of the service road, the trail runs up the hill in a loose, half circle pattern.  Once you get to the top, the views open and you're treated to the beauty of Fortuna and the Eel River Valley below.  

To the left of the service road is where the majority of the trees are found. This trail also moves in a quasi half-circle and there are quite a few trails that branch off from the main trail; including some that run behind the rodeo ground seating.  

Also in Fortuna

Fortuna has a nice Farmers' Market that runs on Tuesdays; June - October.  Visit our Humboldt County Farmers' Market section for more information about it and other Humboldt Markets.  

Horses, hikers and bikers are welcome to enjoy these family-friendly, well-maintained trails. Dogs can join you on your adventure but they must be leashed. It's a great place to enjoy the sites, smells and vibe of the redwoods, right in Fortuna.

 The Depot Museum

 Fortuna has an interesting history and you can view exhibits, artifacts and displays to learn more about it at the Depot Museum located within the park.  The Depot Museum has a number of permanent displays as well as a handful of rotating exhibits that are held in the museum's four rooms and include items like; railroad and logging artifacts, Native American basketry and a variety of old tools.  

One of the coolest features in the museum is access to archives of the Humboldt Beacon.  The Humboldt Beacon, started in 1901, documented life in the area for almost 110 years before shutting its doors about a decade ago.   For generations of people in the area, the Humboldt Beacon was their source for news, politics, entertainment and more.  Take a look at the museum's electronic copies and enjoy a virtual ride back through time. 

The Playgrounds & Other Recreation

When it comes to playgrounds and other places to play, Rohner Park has a little something for everyone.  For kids, the park has two playgrounds which feature swings, slides, monkey bars, a small rock climbing area and more. 

In the center of the park is a multi-use field which has plenty of space for throwing a frisbee, kicking around a ball, flying a kite and other fun activities. 

When You Get Hungry - 

Fortuna has some delicious options when it comes to where to eat.  Here's a List of Fortuna Restaurants to help you find the one for you. 

There always seems to be some action on the park's basketball court so if you're looking to shoot hoops, grab your ball and head down or join an existing game.  There are also horseshoe pits and bocce ball courts available for the public to use.  For decades, the skating rink has been open to the public for skate nights and other fun events.   When not being used for skating, the rink, as well as other parts of the park, are home to quite a few leagues, recreational classes, clubs and other fun activities. Call Parks & Rec at 707-725-7600 for more information.

Many Places to Picnic and Chill

Rohner Park has quite a few places to have a picnic, read, relax or just enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.  Find your spot on the grass, in the sun or under one of the park's many trees and enjoy the peace. There are even a few picnic areas around the park that have small grills for public use.

If an even more natural setting is your style, pack up some food and enjoy a picnic under the umbrella of mature, second growth redwood trees or while taking in views of the city.  Just be sure to pack out all of your trash. 

Just South of Fortuna - The World-Famous Avenue of the Giants starts just a short drive south from Fortuna.  Our Avenue of the Giants Adventure Guide has information about interesting and fun places to stop along the way during your trip through this incredible wonder of nature.  

The park also has a fantastic pavilion area for picnics & parties.  The pavilion has picnic tables that are both covered & in the sun, cooking facilities and even a snack bar; all of which can be reserved.  Whether you're having a chill picnic or a large party, it's a convenient place to set-up for an afternoon of fun. 

The Walking Trails

While the Redwood Park Trails offer hiking through the trees, the park also has walking trails that are flat, wide and mostly in the sun.  These trails are also wheelchair accessible.  

The main loop circles the multi-purpose field and is slightly over a quarter-mile for each time around.  However, you can walk around the baseball fields and through the rodeo grounds to take in different parts of the park.  The walking trails also connect with the hiking trails so if you really want to mix things up, you can. 

The walking trails are dog friendly but leashes are required.  Don't forget to bring something to pick up their 'deposits.' 

Special Note: Rohner Park is a fantastic place to play that is very clean, well maintained and safe. This is in large part due to the Parks & Rec Staff who do an extraordinary job keeping Rohner Park, Newburg Park and other facilities around Fortuna in top shape. Please help them out by cleaning up after yourself when you visit. 

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Written by Colby K. for norcalpulse.com