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Illustration of the River View Nature Park logo, featuring rolling green hills, a winding river, and a bright sun above a blue sky. The logo emphasizes outdoor nature and conservation themes, highlighting the park's commitment to preserving natural beauty.

About Us

Our Ranches

Our Ranch is comprised of two historic ranches, the Bonanza Ranch and the Seattle Ranch, both located in the heart of the Bear River Valley among lush green pastures, with breathtaking views of the Valley and the Pacific Ocean from the top of the ranch. Located in Northern California's Humboldt County, Bear River Valley Beef is situated 15 miles south of the Victorian Village of Ferndale and 5 miles from the ocean, in the heart of giant Redwood country.

Our ranch consists of bottom pastures alongside the Bear River and mountainside ranges, where native grasses grow alongside Evergreen Fir trees. Spring water is fed into water troughs where cattle can easily drink their fill. Visit our Products page to see what we offer.

A cowboy on horseback herding a group of brown and black cows near a rustic barn, set against a backdrop of green hills under a clear sky.

The Bonanza Ranch

The Bonanza Ranch was named in the 1860s when there was so much Native American depredation in the backcountry to the east that many ranchers moved their livestock to the coast, where there was less trouble and more protection. As a result, many Bear River and Mattole ranges were seriously overgrazed. Apparently, overgrazing was, at that time, considered a permanent injury to a range. When Joseph Russ purchased what is now the "Bonanza Ranch," he was accused of being "land crazy" - that the range was "all ate out". "You just wait," countered Russ, "that ranch is going to be a Bonanza". And so it turned out to be, and so it was named.

Family standing in a green pasture with a vintage farm implement, surrounded by rolling hills and trees, showcasing rural life and farming heritage.
Sunrise over a gravel path with two dogs walking through tall grass and trees, capturing the serene beauty of nature in a peaceful landscape.
Snow-covered wooden fence and entry gate in a mountainous area, with a clear blue sky and clouds in the background. The scene captures the tranquility of winter landscapes, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Farmers working together to handle livestock using a cattle chute in a rural setting, with mountains in the background and a sunny sky.
Abandoned vintage truck in a grassy field at sunset, with colorful clouds and rolling hills in the background, showcasing the beauty of rural landscapes.
Two cowboys riding horses on a ranch under a clear blue sky, with green hills in the background. One cowboy, wearing a plaid shirt and a hat, waves while the other prepares his lasso. The scene captures the essence of ranch life and horseback riding in a rural setting.
Rustic landscape featuring an old, abandoned farm implement in a lush green field with yellow wildflowers, set against rolling hills and a dramatic sky with clouds. Ideal for nature and rural photography enthusiasts.
Saddle horse standing in a corral with a scenic mountain backdrop, equipped with a saddle and lariat, surrounded by hay and cattle.
A scenic rural landscape featuring a small wooden shed and a group of cows grazing near a water trough, surrounded by lush green hills and sparse vegetation.
A family of five, including three children, poses together on a large rock in a lush green meadow surrounded by trees. The adults wear cowboy hats and plaid shirts, while the children sport casual attire. The scene captures a warm, sunny day, highlighting a joyful family moment in a natural outdoor setting.
Cowboys herding cattle in a pasture surrounded by rolling hills and a cloudy sky, with a mix of black and brown calves grazing on straw.
Scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills, a winding dirt path, and a backdrop of dense evergreen trees under a clear blue sky. Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking hiking or photography opportunities.
Cowboy on horseback herding cattle in a scenic mountainous landscape, with a wooden fence and tall trees in the background, showcasing rural ranch life.
Firefighters conducting controlled burn in a mountainous area, with flames visible along a dirt road, surrounded by dry grass and hills. A truck is parked nearby as team members work to manage the fire.
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Scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills, a winding dirt path, and a backdrop of dense evergreen trees under a clear blue sky. Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking hiking or photography opportunities.

The Seattle Ranch

According to "Tales Remembered - How Ranches Got Their Names" written by the late Viola Russ McBride (Bill's Mom and daughter of Joseph Russ, one of the pioneers to settle this area), the Seattle Ranch was so named as the Alaska gold rush was on about the time this piece of land was acquired and everybody was talking about difficulties and opportunities at the take-off point, which was Seattle, Washington.