Willow Creek, California

Willow Creek, California
The "Bigfoot Museum" in Willow Creek
Location in Humboldt County and the state of California
Coordinates: 40°56′22″N 123°37′53″W / 40.93944°N 123.63139°W / 40.93944; -123.63139
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyHumboldt
Area
 • Total
30.609 sq mi (79.278 km2)
 • Land30.309 sq mi (78.501 km2)
 • Water0.300 sq mi (0.777 km2)  0.98%
Elevation
610 ft (186 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,720
 • Density56.7/sq mi (21.9/km2)
DemonymWillow Creeker
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
95573
Area codes530, 837
FIPS code06-85642
GNIS feature ID1660182
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Willow Creek, California

Willow Creek (formerly China Flat) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 1,720 at the 2020 census, up from 1,710 at the 2010 census. The town is located around 30 miles (48 km) from county seat and harbor city Eureka.

Willow Creek sits along the Trinity River. 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").

The town is approximately 50 miles (80 km) south of where the Patterson-Gimlin film was made. Willow Creek calls itself the Bigfoot capital of the world, has a Bigfoot Museum and holds an annual "Bigfoot Daze" festival in September in honor of the cryptid, followed by various festivities in a local park. 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.

Willow Creek transit is served by the Redwood Transit System, through the Willow Creek Intercity route. It is also served by Trinity Transit Authority.