Few People Know There's A Beautiful State Park Hiding In This Tiny Northern California City
By Kate Freeman
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Published May 09, 2023
Located south of downtown Crescent City is Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Established in the 1920s, this state park has more than 31,000 acres of redwood-covered forests and coastline to explore. Despite its size, it remains a hidden state park in Northern California with fewer visitors than parks such as Yosemite and Mount Tamalpais.
It is less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Crescent City to the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park entrance.
Crescent City has a population of 6,676 as of 2021. This coastal city has a lot of great restaurants, bars, and cafes, plus tourist attractions like
museums and monuments to explore . But one of the most impressive attractions is this coastal park with some of the tallest trees in the world.
Many Californians have heard of Redwood National and State Parks .
What most people aren’t aware of is that this massive park system is made up of one national park and three state parks. One of the prettiest of those state parks in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
Del Norte has the distinction of being “the wettest park in California” with nearly 93 inches of annual rainfall.
This level of rainfall keeps the forest lush and green all year round. Morning and evening fog is common here. If you have a hike planned, be sure to check the weather. The rainiest season is November through May.
About half the park is old-growth coastal redwoods, plus eight miles of Pacific coastline.
The park has several popular trails, including the Damnation Creek Trail. This trail is a steep two-mile climb under redwoods and spruce trees alongside the fern-covered ground.
The scenic Coastal Trail runs parallel to the ocean and provides great views.
For non-hikers, the east side of the park has a day-use area where visitors can picnic and relax.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is also a great place to go tide-pooling.
The half-mile Wilson Beach, as well as False Klamath Cove, are great places to sink your feet into the sandy areas, as well as check out the tide pools at low tide. Remember, this area of the state is not safe for swimming due to strong currents, cold water, and rough seas.
If you want to spend the night, there are plenty of hotels in Crescent City. Or sleep beneath the redwoods in Mill Creek Campground.
Imagine waking up and taking a walk in the redwood forests or enjoying the sunrise over the ocean. The campground is open from May 1 through September 30. Reservations are recommended for holiday weekends.
This spectacular state park is a must-see place in Northern California. Turn it into a weekend trip and explore Crescent City, too!
What do you think about a weekend trip to Crescent City and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park?
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Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, CA 95531, USA