Patrick's Point State Park

How to get there: 25 miles north of Eureka, California and 56 miles south of Crescent City just west of Highway 101. For information call (707) 677-3570.

Established as a state park in 1929, Patrick's Point State Park is a tree- and meadow-covered headland with a broad sandy beach that juts into the Pacific Ocean. Though the 640 acre park is in the heart of California's coast redwood country, the principal trees within the park are spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red alder. Spring and summer wildflowers include Douglas iris, trillium. azalea, rhododendron, fairy bells, false lilies-of-the-valley, skunk cabbage, and salal. In addition, the blooms of the blackberry, huckleberry, thimbleberry, and salmonberry bushes bring color and fruit to the meadows.

The shoreline ranges from broad sandy beaches to sheer cliffs that rise high above the sea. A number of "sea stacks" - parts of the mainland that have been isolated by the pounding surf - stand offshore like pickets. Several trails wind down the cliffs to the beaches and coves and there are nature trails and a two mile long rim trail.

The Yurok had a seasonal camp at Abalone Point in the park. Though the Yuroks lived in permanent villages north and south of the park, they came here in the summer to harvest fish, mussels, sea lions and other game. A reconstructed Yurok village is open to the public.

Black-tailed deer are a common sight along the bluffs and in the meadows, especially at sunup and sundown. You may see and hear sea lions and seals on the offshore rocks in the southern part of the park near Palmer's Point. Here too, you can investigate the fascinating world of tidepools.

Many varieties of shore birds visit the park during the spring and fall migrations, and Stellar's jays are apt to enliven the campgrounds and picnic areas with their raucous chatter at any time of the year.

Wedding Rock, Palmer's Point and Patrick's Point are excellent places to view the spring and fall migrations of the California gray whale.

Like all the north coast, Patrick's Point has night and morning fog almost all year. During the summer it sometimes doesn't lift for days at a time although beautiful, crystal-clear days can often be enjoyed in spring and fall. Rainfall averages 60 inches per year, most of it between October and April. Temperatures are moderate. Winter lows average 38 degrees; summer highs average 62 degrees.

The park has 124 developed sites accommodating up to 31 foot motor homes and trailers. There is a hike/bicycle campground, and a group campground. The campgrounds are open all year and seasonal reservations can be made by calling Destinet at (800) 444-7275. There are picnic areas, hiking and nature study trails, bicycle trails, ocean fishing, tidepool and agate-hunting beaches, birding, and whale-watching, visitor center/nature store.

Patrick's Point State Park in a nutshell:

Visitation: 160,000/ year.
Location/directions: 25 miles north of Eureka, California and 56 miles south of Crescent City, California just west of Highway 101. Take the Patrick's Point exit.
Address: Patrick's Point State Park, 4150 Patrick's Pt. Dr., Trinidad, CA 95570
Telephone: (707) 677-3570
Operating hours/seasons: Open all year. Day use areas - sunrise to sunset.
Climate/recommended clothing: Coastal/temperate. Summer 50-60 with coastal fog common. Winter 40-50 with 60 inches annual rainfall occurring mostly Nov.-May. Spring and fall are typically very nice. Summer is foggy, cool and damp. Bring warm clothing.
Travel Directions: 56 miles south of Crescent City and 25 miles north of Eureka just west of Highway 101.
Transportation (to the park/in the park): Greyhound has both north and south routes on Highway 101. None inside park.
Fees/costs/rates: Car campsites - off season $12, on season $16. Showers need quarters. Beach Creek group camps (150 people maximum) $150 year round. Sumeg group camp (100 maximum) $100. Bishop Pine group camp (50 maximum) $50. Bicycle camp $3/person. Cabin $40/night. Yurt $30/night. Day-use $5/vehicle. Seniors get $2 discount for camping, $1 discount for day use.
Facilities: 10 miles of hiking trails, beach access, natural and cultural history bookstore.
Reservations/permits: Car campsites - highly recommended Memorial Day through Labor Day. Not necessary rest of year. Beach Creek group camp-reserve through Destinet (800) 444-7275. Sumeg and Bishop Pine group camps - reserve through park (707) 677-3570. There is a $40 non-refundable deposit required for Sumeg or Bishop Pine camps.
Basic visit recommendations: Tidepool exploration, Sumeg Indian Village, rock fishing, bird watching, hiking, panoramic views and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
Special events/programs: Sumeg Village Days in July. Village tours, interpretive walks and campfire programs offered daily Memorial Day through Labor Day or by special arrangement with park.
Visitor impacts: Heavily used park. Very popular during summer season and on weekends during spring and fall.
Adjacent visitor attractions: Humboldt Lagoons State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Azalea State Reserve, Fort Humboldt State 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]

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