Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

How to get there: Seven miles south of Crescent City, California on Highway 101. For information call the sector office at (707) 464-6101 ext. 5101.

The park, established in 1929, is 6400 acres with approximately 50% old growth coast redwood and 8 miles of wild coastline. The park is a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Preserve.

The mixed understory includes tanoak, madrone, red alder, bigleaf maple, and California bay. Ground cover is dense with a wide range of species. The campground development is located in an area that was logged in the 1920's. Vegetation is predominately red alder which will eventually give way to fir and second growth redwood.

Wildlife is present in all areas. Salmon and steelhead spawn in Mill Creek. Bobcat, coyote, bear, deer, squirrels and chipmunks are most frequently seen. Varied thrush, Stellar's jays, hawks, great blue heron and dippers are common birds.

The topography is fairly steep with elevations from sea level to 1277 feet. 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. Approximately 1/2 mile of sandy beach is known as Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove. This beach is unsafe for swimming due to steep beach slope, rocky conditions and frequent rough seas and cold water. Wilson Beach provides excellent tidepool opportunities at low tide.

Mill Creek Campground offers 145 campsites that can accommodate motor homes up to 31 feet and trailers to 27 feet. Some walk-in sites are available for tent campers. The campground is open year round. Summer season reservations can be made by calling Destinet at (800) 444-7275.

Del Norte Coast in a nutshell:

Visitation: 150,000.
Location/directions: Seven miles south of Crescent City, California, turn east on the campground road. The camp is two miles east of the highway.
Address: c/o 1375 Elk Valley Rd. Crescent City, CA 95531
Telephone: No phone at park. Call sector office at (707) 464-6101 ext. 5101.
Operating hours/seasons: Campground open all year. Day use sunrise to sunset.
Climate/recommended clothing: Summer 40-80. Cooler along the coast. Morning and evening fog is common. Winter 30-55. Dress for rain Nov.-May with up to 100 inches annually.
Travel Directions: From Crescent City take Highway 101 seven miles south. Turn left (east) at Mill Creek Campground Rd. Camp is two miles east of highway.
Fees/costs/rates: Campsites - off season $12, on season $16. Showers need quarters. Day-use $5/car. Senior citizens receive $2 discount on camping and $1 discount on day use.
Facilities: 10 miles of hiking trails, beach access, water access.
Reservations/permits: Recommended during summer season.
Basic visit recommendations: Plan to hike/stroll on nature trail. Campground is a quiet setting great for relaxing. Nearest groceries seven miles north in Crescent City.
Special events/programs: None. Nature walks, campfire and Junior Ranger programs during summer.
Visitor impacts: Generally campground full July and August, much less use at other times.
Adjacent visitor attractions: Lake Earl State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National Park.

Additional North Coast Redwoods District State Parks links:

[Azalea State Reserve]
[Benbow Lake State Recreation Area]
[Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park]
[Fort Humboldt State Historic Park]
[Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Standish - Hickey State Recreation Area]
[Humboldt Redwoods State Park]
[Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park]
[Humboldt Lagoons State Park]
[Lake Earl State Park]
[Patrick's Point State Park]
[Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Richardson Grove State Park]
[Sinkyone Wilderness State Park]
[Trinidad State Beach]

Back to North Coast Redwoods District page.
Back to Humboldt Redwoods State Park home page.