Eight EV Chargers Proposed for Benbow State Recreation Area: What the June 2026 State Filing Shows

BENBOW, Humboldt County — A California state environmental filing describes plans to add eight electric-vehicle charging stations at Benbow State Recreation Area’s day-use parking area. The proposal could eventually provide a useful stop along the Highway 101 corridor, but the official filing does not establish that the chargers are installed, energized or available for public use today.

What the project document proposes

The California State Clearinghouse record 2026060773, posted June 17, 2026, identifies the Department of Parks and Recreation as the public agency for a project titled PG&E EV Chargers. According to the posted description, PG&E would install four DC fast chargers and four Level 2 chargers in the day-use parking area. Two of the eight spaces are described as van-accessible ADA stalls.

The proposed infrastructure would also involve replacement of a utility pole, approximately 375 feet of underground conduit, a new transformer, distribution panels, meters and safety bollards. These details describe intended work and are not evidence that any installation has been completed.

Why the June filing matters—but has limits

The state entry is a Notice of Exemption for environmental review related to a right-of-entry arrangement with PG&E. It indicates the state’s environmental filing and the scope of intended activities. It does not supply a confirmed opening date, charger operator pricing, connector compatibility, power rating or a working map of live equipment.

EV drivers should therefore use a charging network’s verified operational status before relying on Benbow as a charging stop. A marker on a project list is not the same as a charger that can start a session.

Where the charging area would be

The filing specifies the park’s day-use parking area, a different part of the visitor experience from the campground. California State Parks’ Benbow visitor page identifies the recreation area roughly two miles south of Garberville on Highway 101 and lists day-use hours and visitor restrictions. Park fees and vehicle access rules may apply when visiting the site.

The same visitor page lists a sanitation dump-station closure checked in November 2026. That closure concerns RV sanitation equipment, not a confirmed status of the proposed EV chargers. Visitors should distinguish the two services.

How residents can track completion

Residents can consult the public filing and look for later State Parks or PG&E construction and commissioning announcements. For real-time charger availability, a network map with last-confirmed status is more useful than an environmental notice.

Sources: California State Clearinghouse, PG&E EV Chargers, June 17, 2026; California State Parks, Benbow State Recreation Area. California58 is independent of the agencies and utility.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58 grow Help strengthen reporting on Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58

Choose how to support Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Benbow News — Humboldt County | California58 — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.