Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Tall trees meet the sea at Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Just south of Crescent City, Mill Creek Campground is the perfect basecamp for exploring this remote, 8-mile-long swath of coastline, as well as three other parks that make up the Redwood National and State Parks group. With up to 100 inches of rain a year, these North Coast parks grow the tallest trees in the world. They also protect 45 percent of Earth’s last remaining old-growth redwood forests. In two short, steep miles, Del Norte’s Damnation Creek Trail leads from fern-festooned redwoods down to rocky tidepools and crashing waves. A scenic stretch of California’s 1,200-mile-long Coastal Trail runs the length of the park as well, a treat for bicyclists as well as hikers. On weekends, visitors can explore the area’s past—and future—at Mill Creek Day Use Area on the east side of the park, where scientists are developing restoration science to heal the wounds of mid-20th century logging. Summer temperatures range from 40 - 80° F. Morning and evening fog is common. Winter 30–55 °F. With up to 100 inches of rainfall annually, expect rain from November to May . Rules & Notifications Don’t feed wildlife, and keep your camp free of all traces of food. Store food in an animal-proof food locker. Place all your garbage in an animal-proof trash can. The campground is only open from May 1-Sept. 30. Reservations are recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Del Norte’s topography is steep, with elevations from sea level to 1,277 feet. Coastal areas are generally inaccessible except by Damnation Trail and Footsteps Rock Trail. Half-mile-long Wilson Beach, or False Klamath Cove, is meant for strolling and provides excellent tidepool viewing at low tide. It is not safe for swimming due to the steep beach slope, rocky conditions, frequent rough seas, and cold water. The park, established in 1927, has approximately 50% old growth coast redwood and eight miles of wild coastline. The mixed understory includes tanoak, madrone, red alder, big leaf maple, and California bay. Ground cover is dense with a wide range of species. Vegetation is predominately red alder which will eventually give way to fir and second growth redwood. The topography is fairly steep with elevations from sea level to 1277’. The predominant mountain range is oriented in a north-south direction with steep cliffs adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, making the bulk of the rocky sea coast generally inaccessible except by Damnation Trail and Footsteps Rock Trail. Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove This 1/2-mile of sandy beach is meant for strolling and provides excellent tidepool viewing at low tide. It is not safe for swimming due to the steep beach slope, rocky conditions, frequent rough seas, and cold water. Redwood National and State Parks This park, along with Prairie Creek, Jedediah Smith, and the National Park Service's Redwood National Park, are managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. These parks make up 45 percent of all the old-growth redwood forest remaining in California.