Our Community

The Eel River Charter School is located in the community of Round Valley and the town of Covelo. Round Valley is known for great deer and bear hunting and limited hog or elk hunting and fishing. There is a seasonal dirt road east over the mountains to Interstate 5 that many hunters, locals, and off-roaders use and a dirt road north to Trinity and Humboldt counties that is a beautiful back road of California trek. There are many opportunities to camp, hike, or horseback ride in the Mendocino National Forest or Yolla Bolly Wilderness areas near the Middle Fork of the ‘Wild and Scenic’ Eel River.

Round Valley is home to one of the largest and oldest Native American reservations in California, Round Valley Indian Tribes. The Round Valley Indian Tribes is very diversified with its own government and enterprises such as a motel, a casino, and a convenience store and gas station. RVIT has established the Round Valley Indian Health Center, Family Resource Center, Yuki Trails, child care and Round Valley Head Start pre-school, Tribal Police department, natural resources department, roads and transportation department, housing authority, senior center, Hidden Oaks park, and has several large landholdings for logging, hunting, fishing, and raising cattle and bison.

The town of Covelo is home to a couple grocery stores, gas stations, auto parts and repair businesses, a bank, public library, hardware, feed, and farm and garden supply’s, some eateries and a bar. CalFire and the US Forest Service have stations in Round Valley and the Covelo Volunteer Fire Department provides emergency fire and medical support to the valley. There is a wonderful Farmer’s Market each week showcasing local vegetables, meats, eggs, fruits, baked goods, art and jewelry. The Round Valley Unified School District serves students pre-school through grade 12 and various local community college courses are offered through Mendocino College each semester. Round Valley High School completed a beautiful new gymnasium project for future generations of basketball talent and league champion teams. There is a Covelo Community Park building suitable for dances, parties, bazaars, and other community events such as small animal veterinary clinics, located near the softball fields, rodeo arena, and local airport.

There are many fun and exciting events in Round Valley each year that locals and friends, family, and newcomers from out of town enjoy. The Covelo FFA Field Day parade and Jr Rodeo held Mother’s Day weekend in May, the Round Valley Blackberry Festival held in the middle of August, the Round Valley Community Rodeo held Labor Day weekend, and the California Indian Days parade, softball games and Western Playday held in September are long-time community events. More recently, Round Valley High School began hosting a ‘Big Time’ event each spring sharing Native American culture, dancing, music and traditions with the students and community.