Willits: Wolf Tree Turn, Ranch History and Art

Willits offers a variety of reasons to visit, from a train ride and ranch history to art and events.

Wolf Tree Turn and Noyo River Canyon

The Wolf Tree Turn departs from Willits and is a seasonal, 16-mile ride that takes two hours. It passes through Tunnel #2 and then descends into Noyo River Canyon. Passengers can get off in Crowley to enjoy the view of the Wolf Tree. The ride’s length and duration give it a defined time frame. Check departure times before your trip, as the ride is offered seasonally.

Walks at Ridgewood Ranch

The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation offers self-guided walks through historic Ridgewood Ranch in Willits by reservation. Seabiscuit’s stable at Ridgewood Ranch is a National Historic Site. The designation applies to the stable, while the walks focus on the ranch’s historical context. If you plan this visit, making the required reservation is part of your preparations.

Willits Frontier Days

Willits Frontier Days has continued without interruption since 1926. The annual July 4 parade follows Main Street between Commercial Street and East Valley Street. The event thus combines a long tradition with a recurring holiday date. If you’d like to plan your trip around Frontier Days, check the event dates and program in advance.

Art at the Willits Center for the Arts

The Willits Center for the Arts presents new gallery exhibitions every month. Photographs, paintings, sculptures, and textile art are shown there year-round. The center also offers classes in ceramics, drawing, painting, and dance. Its program thus includes both changing exhibitions and classes across a range of artistic disciplines.

Summer offerings at the municipal swimming pool

Willits’ municipal swimming pool offers public swimming lessons and water aerobics during the summer months. These offerings are on a different schedule from the year-round exhibitions at the art center. If you plan to use the pool during your trip, confirm the current opening dates in advance.

Connecting bus at the Skunk Train depot

The Skunk Train depot in Willits is a stop on Amtrak San Joaquins’ connecting bus service. Check the service details before your trip if you plan to use this connection.

The options differ considerably when it comes to timing: the ride is seasonal, the ranch walk requires a reservation, the pool offerings are available in the summer months, and the parade takes place annually on July 4. The art exhibitions, by contrast, run year-round. This can help you decide whether to plan your stay around a specific date or an exhibition that is on view year-round.

Discover more destinations: Redwood Valley, Philo, Boonville, Mendocino, Anchor Bay, Gualala, Point Arena, Dos Rios

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