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July 2024 by Family California
So .So beautiful place! Amazing views ??
Restrooms: So clean ++
Picnic area: There is everything for a picnic, tables, a grill, the toilet is very clean, water!
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July 2024 by Joy Oshrit Shalom
Whenever we travel to the Mendocino area, this is our first stop for a picnic and relaxed family time after the long drive. The views are outstanding, there's a restroom and a place to BBQ. The breezy-foggy weather is my favorite. There's a short trail for more views that even our laziest person in our group likes to do :)
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July 2024 by Amanda Melvin
Green, plenty of hikes available, and our own beach!
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July 2024 by Prabhjoban Singh
Beautiful view of the bridge.. and nice quiet beach with campgrounds.
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July 2024 by Jacob Waites
Stunning views of the bridge from diffferent vista points along the central road. Shot some infrared photography.
Restrooms were present at the picnic areas, with spigot sinks.
The beach at low tide is a great spot for a walk and looking at different shells and rocks for local wildlife.
The road to get to the beach becomes one lane, so drive slowly and be aware when going down.
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July 2024 by Doreen O'Donovan
The Fern Canyon Trail inside Russian Gulch State Park is different than the Fern Canyon Trail at Van Damme State Park and that it goes to a waterfall. The waterfall is pretty spectacular and makes this hike 5.4 mile loop trail worth it. That doesn’t include the half mile hike back to your car if the parking lot closed. You can add another 1.6 miles if you do the waterfall loop.
If you have a car to shuttle you, there is a way to hike from the top of the trail to the bottom. See the map for where to park on road 409.
We were there in late June and the trail was very muddy in some spots. There were lots of bananas slugs to entertain the kids. The redwood forest is beautiful.
There are restrooms at the trailhead.
You do not need a permit or a reservation, but you do need to pay the $8 day use fee.
You can ride bikes up the trail, but you cannot take dogs. At the loop split you can no longer ride your bike. At that point, the trail gets much steeper and has stairs.
The Headlands Trail is also beautiful. Maybe one of the prettiest in the state, especially when the wildflower are blooming. There is a great view of the highway one bridge, a pretty island and the rugged coastline.
The picnic area has stunning views.
The headlands Trail is short and flat. There is poison oak along the trail, but they usually have it cut back. There is plenty of parking and dogs are allowed.
There is a small beach near the campground, which is sheltered from the wind, but often shady.
Restrooms: There are restrooms throughout the park, but not on the trail.
Dog-friendliness: Dogs are allowed in the campground, on the beach and on the headlands trail, but not on Fern Canyon Trail.
Picnic area: There are picnic tables on the headlands with fantastic views.
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July 2024 by Mercedes Bell
Fabulous spot with lovely easy trails. Lots of amenities like toilets and drinking water available. Just bring those walking shoes!!
Restrooms: Lots of them as it’s a campsite too.
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July 2024 by Dominica H
We walked along the bluff to the sinkhole. Kind of a scary walk when it’s windy but the sinkhole was cool.
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June 2024 by Jolene Räisänen
A very small and quiet campground (unless you get noisy neighbors, which can happen). No park store, so don't count on souvenirs. But this quaint campground has access to beautiful hikes, views and neighboring activities and places to see. I wish it had bigger campsites, very difficult to get in and out with our 22.6 ft trailer. This place is definitely meant for tent campers or extremely small trailers.
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June 2024 by Cecilia Rams
Easy to park , very pleasant trail to the waterfall . It is quite muddy . Take another pair of shoes and socks ..
Restrooms: There are restrooms in the camping area before starting the trail .
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June 2024 by Jennifer Scott
Probably my new favorite state park. It felt like hiking through Jurassic park. There were seemingly impossible amounts of rhodendrons and ferns. The beach was incredible with tide pools and sea caves. The camp is comparable to Van Damn-- not much privacy and surprisingly nowhere to hang a hammock, but the location is ideal. The least mosquitos of anywhere I hiked in Mendocino.
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June 2024 by Ed Bushak
Really nice place for a picnic. Dog and kid friendly. (Dog park and playground.
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June 2024 by Maheho Mathekia
I loved it
Playground: Well arranged
Restrooms: Cleaned and sanitation was cool
Dog-friendliness: Well interactions with the dogs
Picnic area: People were having lots of fun
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June 2024 by Greg Roderick
The grand view at the beach level below the bridge is a great spot for photos. Down further into the gulch there's a hiking trail and camp sites that will put you into nature. The trail to the waterfall is somewhat long and has some elevation. Not a problem for those who are on the younger side, but it can be more challenging for those that are not quite as young.
Restrooms: A few restrooms are available with some flushing and others pit toilets.
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May 2024 by Anu Rao
Restrooms: Clean restrooms available in most of the areas
Picnic area: Excellent place for picnic and camping.
