What Is the Super-Secret ‘Bohemian Grove’?

By: Beth Moreton | Published: Apr 11, 2024

When people learn there is a secret place they are not meant to know about, they often can’t help their curiosity.

Bohemian Grove is one of those places. As an elite club, not many have had the pleasure of experiencing what this secret place is like.

Bohemian Grove Is in Northern California

History Daily says Bohemian Grove is located at 20601 Bohemian Avenue, Monte Rio, California.

This is a river in Monte Rio, California. It is high and covers some of the trees in the water.

Source: Missvain/Wikimedia Commons

It is in a secluded area, just to add to the secrecy and to hide away from the public.

Bohemian Grove Events Only Last for Two Weeks

It might be one of the most elite clubs in the world, but Bohemian Grove events only last for two weeks per year.

The forest area surrounding Bohemian Grove. Signs saying “Private Property, No Trespassing” are posted on the trees, and some metal fencing prevents people from getting in.

Source: Brianhama/Wikimedia Commons

The two weeks occur every summer, and it becomes home to some of the world’s most elite people.

The Club Began in the 19th Century

Bohemian Grove might only last two weeks, but it belongs to the Bohemian Club, a wider club that continues all year round.

This is a black-and-white photo of a ritual in Bohemian Grove in 1915. A man is lying on the ground, and someone in a hood is kneeling next to him. A crowd of people is watching.

Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons

According to Who Rules America, the club began in 1872, and members took their two-week summer break at Bohemian Grove shortly after its founding.

Only Men Allowed

Many thought the days of men-only clubs were long gone, but that doesn’t apply to Bohemian Grove.

This is a black-and-white photo of four men at Bohemian Grove. They are wearing white shirts and trousers. One is wearing a coat, and they each have hats.

Source: UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library/Wikimedia Commons

SFGate reports that there are over 2,000 members, all of which are men.

Members Are Rich and Famous

Each member of Bohemian Grove is rich and famous in one way or another.

This is a black-and-white photo of two men at the Bohemian Grove. They are sitting on a chair with cushions, and trees are in the background.

Source: USMC Archives/Wikimedia Commons

Members include George W. Bush, Mickey Hart, Chris Matthews, and Bob Weir.

The Club Isn’t Serious

It could be thought that a club with former presidents as members would be taken quite seriously, but sources say it’s really all fun and games.

This is a black-and-white photo of a man sitting in a chair at Bohemian Grove. He has a glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Trees are in the background.

Source: USMC Archives/Wikimedia Commons

It’s a place for them to drink and catch up with friends they might only see for the two weeks in the year that the club meets at Bohemian Grove.

No Business Deals Allowed ... Apart from One

One of the big rules of Bohemian Grove is that no business deals are allowed, as this is a place for people to come and relax away from the public gaze for a couple of weeks.

A color photo of the first nuclear test explosion from the Manhattan Project. The background is black, and the explosions consist of a cloud of red, orange, and yellow.

Source: Jack W. Aeby/Wikimedia Commons

However, The Washington Post reports that the one exception to this rule was in 1942 when the Manhattan Project planning took place, making way for the atomic bomb.

Some Have Broken into Bohemian Grove

Despite their strict walls on being a members-only club, some people have been able to get secret access to Bohemian Grove and have reported on what happens there.

Some people standing in Bohemian Grove next to some steps standing next to some fences. Trees surround them.

Source: Brianhama/Wikimedia Commons

Internet Archives has a video made by Alex Jones, which shows members of Bohemian Grove taking part in a ceremony known as Cremation of the Care.

'Cremation of the Care'

Cremation of the Care is a ceremony written, produced, and performed by Bohemian Grove members.

Source: Gabriel Moulin/Wikimedia Commons

It involves members wearing costumes and cremating a coffin effigy known as Care. They do all of this in front of a 40-foot owl, which is in defense of the surrounding Redwood trees.

Bohemian Grove Was Sued

It might be a place for the elite to relax, but the club’s relaxing nature wasn’t so relaxing when it was sued in 2023.

The Bohemian Club workers are going on strike. They are holding placards on wooden sticks in the air that say “STRIKE!” in red capital letters.

Source: KPIX/YouTube

Three valets working on the ground sued the club, with SFGate citing that they were made to work 16-hour days, were not given breaks to go to the bathroom or eat, and were not being paid minimum wage or overtime.

Protests Against Bohemian Grove

With the knowledge that Bohemian Grove happens at the same time in July every year, according to The Press Democrat, many have protested outside Bohemian Grove due to its elite membership.

This is a black-and-white photo of Bohemian Grove. There is a crowd of people, two of whom are holding large flags on flagpoles.

Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons

Many of these protests have lessened over the years, but that still hasn’t stopped people from wanting some insider knowledge about what happens in one of the world’s most elite clubs.