We arrived shortly after 9:00am and paid the $10 day use fee. It was a short drive on a one lane road to get to the parking lot. EV parking was available, which was nice. There was another small parking lot closer to the trail. We walked past the camp sites to get to the trail. The sites were on the smaller side, but all of them seemed to have a spigot. I used the flushing toilets before starting the hike. We did the Fern Canyon Trail to Falls Loop Trail- 6.2 miles. The first part was mostly flat, but there is some elevation gain for the loop. We went counterclockwise, but you reach the waterfall quicker if you do the loop clockwise. The 36-foot waterfall might not be the most impressive, but it was nice. There's a fallen tree trunk in between the two streams for you to sit and take some photos. We sat on a bench afterwards and enjoyed the views while having some snacks. I guess we got there at a good time, right before a crowd of people descended. Overall, the forested hike was nice and peaceful, and we also spotted a banana slug. There are some muddy parts though. I wished I read a bit more about the park before going. I would've wanted to do the short trail for Devil's Punchbowl which also has views of the bridge. Darn... read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

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Serene quiet park. great photo spots! There's the iconic bridge but in order to get on that beach you have to walk on a narrow wobbling log in the water. Pretty scary for me. I finally did it, with the help of a very kind stranger who held my hand and it felt all better. Interesting how a lot of the fear is in your head. Why is there not a better safer path to get there? Watched many groups try and about half the people said nope and left read more

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We enjoyed a very nice, shady hike to a 30+ foot waterfall via the Fern Canyon trail. It was mid June and the Sun had finally showed up making for pleasant weather. The stable path was lined with streams, a variety of beautiful trees, and lovely views. It may feel a bit long for a novice hiker- 5 miles round trip- but it's worth it. My daughter spotted a green frog, salamander and other critters. read more

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One of the most iconic bridges on the Mendocino coast. This state park is below the route 1. There is a large parking lot with direct access to the rivers mouth, sandy beachs and open nature. Also, a maintained restroom. We stopped for a while to take in the incredible views, walk on the waters edge and get a better look at the gulch bridge overhead. This special place is unique in its direct access to the river and area, and most just drive over the bridge without ever realizing the park is just below. This is a hidden gem on the Mendocino coastline and worth seeking it out and exploring a bit. 4.5 Stars rounded up for the direct water access 01190 read more

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The views and trails here are truly stunning. So peaceful and quiet, a perfect date hike or a family adventure! read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

I get up to Mendocino about every 5 years and always make a point to hike in Russian Gulch State Park. The fern canyon and waterfall loop is a favorite and depending on the season, you can see various mushrooms, wildflowers and foliage. In the spring, the kiosk is staffed and the gate to access the campgrounds and the small lot for Fern Canyon is open. There are a few spots closer to the trailhead but more in the main lots outside the campground (which adds about half a mile to your hike.) See my previous review for more about the Fern Canyon, waterfall loop hike. You can also head down to the beach to get a view of the bridge that traverses Highway 1 and some beautiful rocky shoreline. It's pretty special that you can visit the redwoods and the coast all in one beautiful park. A must do when visiting Mendocino. read more

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Russian Gulch State Park is absolutely beautiful. We went down to the beach under the bridge and the view was gorgeous. The dramatic cliffs, the bridge overhead, and the sound of the waves made it such a memorable spot. It's a great place to walk around, explore, and just take in the scenery. If you're visiting the Mendocino area, this stop is definitely worth it. read more

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What a wonderful park! It's got the best of both worlds, with stunning ocean views and the redwood forest. You will need cash to pay for parking on your way in, or a state parks pass. We spent a lot of time exploring the park on our trip. My favorite hike was the one to the waterfall at the end of Fern Canyon Trail. The trail did get a bit challenging towards the end, with some steep and skinny areas. There were also some trees that had fallen down in a recent storm that we had to climb over. But nothing too challenging or unsafe. A park ranger warned us ahead of time that there would be obstacles in the trail, which I appreciated. Be sure to enjoy the view of the ocean and bridge from the picnic area, and spend some time on the beach as well. Dogs are allowed on leashes in the beach and picnic area. This park is a must do when visiting the Mendocino area. read more

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This spot was amazing! Drove through the campground and loved the sites! Can't wait to book a camping trip. Very clean and friendly staff. read more

Uniqueness: Beautiful Arch Bridge you can take a photo of and actually go underneath! Wait Time: [x][x][x][x][x] Park Quality: [x][x][x][x][x] Service: [x][x][x][x][x] Setting: [x][x][x][x][x] Cost: [x][x][x][x][x] Beautiful outdoor trails for all ages to enjoy the outdoors and embrace Mother Nature. The view of the Russian Gulch bridge was breathtaking and probably one of the most pivotal photos that is Mendocino. You can go to a viewing point to take a nice photo and as well as actually drive/walk all the way to the bottom of the bridge and enjoy the nice little beach underneath. Trails were well kept, you'll definitely see plenty of wild animals (otters, bugs, even deers if you're lucky!) all around. Trails weren't overly packed so you don't have to worry about crowds or tourists at all. It's well worth the entry fee to come in here and you will not regret taking the nice beautiful walks all around this park. read more

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Wow. Incredible. This is one of my new favorite state parks. My first trip to Russian Gulch was in the morning, to see the beach. Since I was camping nearby at Van Damme, my parking pass served as a day use pass for all the parks in the area. The beach was Incredible. It was a small beach, but since I got there just after sunrise, I had it all to myself. The bridge over the beach is neat. Not the coolest bridge I've ever seen, but neat. Russian Gulch is full of tiny sea caves, and the walls of the canyon are constantly dripping tiny amounts of water. I saw endless amounts of tiny fern waterfalls. Later, I drove into the park, and decided to hike the Fern Canyon Trail. There is a trail with the same name in Van Damme, but this one was way prettier, in my opinion. It was like hiking through the scenes of Jurassic Park. The one hundred foot high canyon walls were saturated with ferns. I saw wild raspberries for the first time. On the way to the waterfall, I found another waterfall down the side of a rock canyon. I was confused, wondering if this was the waterfall they advertised. When I got to the real waterfall, I was impressed. It's not very big, but it's really pretty. There are basically two streams flowing over a rock wall full of ferns. On the way back, I got so lost that I took all of the trails on the north side of the park. I saw everything except the Devils Punchbowl. The camping sites looked just like the ones at Van Damme-- not very private, but pretty. The north side trail took me through two full miles of pygmy forest. I saw all kinds of pygmy pine trees, redwoods, Rhodendrons, and manzanitas. This was one of the prettiest state parks I've ever been to. read more

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Nine miles south of Ft. Bragg, this park has three sites to see. One is the waterfall hike that leads to a 36' waterfall. Another is the tall reinforced concrete arch bridge that towers 100' over a flat, wet beach. It looks like the end of a beautiful car commercial. Finally, Devil's Punch Bowl is a 100 foot wide, 60 foot deep partially collapsed sea cave that sometimes acts as a blowhole at high tide. Also known as "Sinking Hole" on Google Maps, it's accessible via the half-mile Headlands Trail. It's a great place for bratty children to swim. read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Where's that confounded bridge? - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

Beautiful views. We took our e-bikes to go through the trail the whole way so we wouldn't need to spend all that time hiking. Then down by the water and views from the picnic area was wonderful read more

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What an amazing place to visit. We enjoyed our hike along the coast. They have doable hikes for children, disabled, and elderly. I would highly recommend checking it out! read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Beautiful seaside forest park. It was a short drive from Fort Bragg to this beautiful gem of a park. The Frederick W. Panhorst Bridge is a picturesque man-made landmark next to this natural wonder. We got there a little later on in the morning so parking was scarce--we had to park up the hill then walk down into the park. We hiked the North Trail to Fern Canyon Falls, which was lovely and amazing, with the sunlight filtering through all the green foliage. It was a great place to spend the day, whether on the beach or on the trails. The camping looked nice, too! read more

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Definitely a Mendocino beauty! Russian Gulch State Park is a great place to embark on a beautiful hike through the redwoods. The popular Fern Canyon trail was closed during my visit, so I took a detour through the North trail to view the waterfall. The North trail loop to the falls is about 7.5 miles roundtrip and is a moderate hike with a short section of switchbacks in the beginning. The trail doesn't gain a crazy amount of elevation, but it does gradually incline for the first few miles out to the falls. Although the Fern Canyon trail was closed, there were plenty of vibrant ferns to go around. If greenery is your scene, then you will truly enjoy meandering through this beauty. It's super green and lined by several different plant species. The North trail is almost completely shaded by tall redwood trees. This is a great hike to take on during the warmer months as it remains nice and cool. Once you reach the falls, you can walk down to get a closer look and take pictures. Depending on what time you reach the falls, it may be a bit crowded. When I first arrived, there weren't too many people. I took a break and ate some snacks when I got there. But by the time that I left, there was a small crowd of people waiting in line to take pictures. As I always say, the earlier the better. It costs $8 to drive into the park and the North Trail starts behind a small campground area. There are restrooms near the trail entrance and also near the campgrounds. Entrance into the park also includes access to Russian Gulch State Beach. If you're only doing a day trip here, make sure to save some time to relax on this lovely beach! It's small but pretty secluded and the water feels so good. The water is pretty shallow and the waves are small, making this the perfect beach for small children and pets to enjoy too. It's also a wonderful place to relax and dip your feet in the water after hiking the nearby trails. Such a tranquil and serene state park. This park was the least crowded state park that I visited during my trip to Mendocino. If you're looking for a place to escape the typical Mendocino crowds while still being able to enjoy nature, Russian Gulch State Park is a great place to start. read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Made it to the waterfall - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

This place is fantastic. Loved hiking and exploring. Check out the gorgeous falls! We will be back for more hiking adventures.

Such a beautiful place ! Mendocino has a few state parks in close proximity. This park has overnight camping , hikes, beach access, and dogs allowed expect for on the Fern canyon hike . We came with our pup so no hike to the water fall on this trip , and we still had a great time ! The Headlands trail along the coast is short and sweet and dogs are good. Beautiful views in every direction, it's amazing how blue and clear the ocean appears ! Bathrooms, picnic tables , water fountains available along the headlands trail. You do have to pay for parking , unless you have a state park pass (poppy pass). Some tips : bring food for awesome lunch with a view ! The start to the headland trail is accessible from the "picnic area". There are also a few areas to park depending if you are camping, doing the Fern hike , beach or picnic. I thought this park was super easy to get to and easy day trip. read more

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With my family quarantining at home, I decided to go on a road trip (which quickly morphed into a hiking-and-brewery trip). Having never been to the Mendocino area, I decided to make the long trek northward. My first stop of the day was Russian Gulch State Park. The park encompasses a long, narrow, redwood-filled canyon. It's primary stream (Russian Gulch creek) empties into the ocean; so the park has both a beach area and a forest area. I was here for the latter section and chose an 8.4-mile loop to an unnamed waterfall. This was actually the longest hike I could devise in this smallish park. (Route details: Fern canyon trail, Falls Loop Trail, Fern Canyon Trail, North Trail) Trail parking was surprisingly limited here, but it was a weekday. I got lucky with an open spot in the 5-car lot at the trailhead. (Note: Limited trail parking is my #1 issue with this park - loss of a star.) As for the hike, what's not to love about towering redwoods, burbling streams, and quiet trails? I was also surprised to see rhododendrons amongst the redwoods here, which is something I've never seen in the Bay Area. Very cool; it might sound weird, but it kinda made my day. After my hike, I drove out to the bluff area beyond the bridge to grab some ocean views. Then it was time for a little more driving (and beer). After all, it was now a hiking and brewery trip. read more

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Little piece of paradise definitely wanted to try something new since ive always been to the same places and also this past weekend was a special trip to celebrate my anniversary. It was a bit of a time crunch since i had work on Monday and we went early Sunday morning but we both live that spontaneous sense of adventure and it works for us. I always looked at the Russian Gulch Trail and wanted to go because im a sucker for ferns. This trail has plenty of them. Also, its really up north so its a lot cooler weather wise which is the weather i love. The drive there has lots of fog but going into Mendocino the fog disappered and it was more just cooler weather. More like 40 degrees the whole day. I recommend wearing yoga pants, hiking shoes or running shoes, a very warm jacket peobably something with a hood, a rubber band if youre a girl lol, a back pack with snacks, a flashlight, pepper spray, an air horn water, a phone battery, and bring a map. Also cameras because its super pretty. I know it sounds like a lot but its always good to be prepared. And the trails sometimes can take long so if you end up taking a while and need light oflr in case of emergency those will be perfect. But there is so much greenery. Wide open space, and fresh forest air. I even saw black mushrooms, forest bunnies, banana slugs, and the most beautiful waterful with an incredible view. The hike is worth it. Recommened bringing your map because my bf and i were the people who almost winged it but you will need your map lol. This place is huge. And its so goregous. No matter where youre coming from the views are worth it. Take plenty of pictures and enjoy. read more

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Russian Gulch is phenomenal. Where else can you find redwoods right along the coast with one of the more beautiful beaches I've seen, as well as forest right there? Genuinely, what a stunning place. I came here just for a couple hours and am already itching to come back for camping and spending more time here amongst the trails. It's really lovely that it's just off the 1 so it's pretty accessible and basically right next to town, which I love for the convenience. You get to drive across the Russian Gulch bridge which is truly phenomenal, and be sure to take it in from the viewpoint(s)! I came here just before sunset and adored every moment. In our short time here, we saw streams, sink holes (more beautiful than it sounds), majestic ocean cliffs, giant redwoods, and gorgeous beach. It was absolutely heavenly. This is a must-visit, enough said. read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

Absolutely Gorgeous! This park has it all. Gorgeous coastal views, massive redwoods, fern canyons and a waterfall to top it all off! There is camping there as well. read more

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Definitely recommend this hike, it's about 4.6 miles from the Northcoast Trail to the Waterfalls. It's lovely and refreshing walking through all the greenery. It was serene. You'll also see tall mini-redwood trees. From the East Trail to the Waterfall it's about 0.7 miles. *We went here early morning, there wasn't a lot of people but by noon a lot more came. So, I suggest to get there early. Parking fee is $8. Good thing about this area, everyone was social distancing and wearing a mask. *Fern Canyon Trail hike is closed at the moment so you can either get back to the campground via the Northcoast Trail (4.6 miles) or the East Trail (0.7) from the Waterfall. *FYI: The Northcoast Trail is an incline hike. If you would like an easier route you can take the East Trail which is a lot closer to the Waterfall. Happy Hiking . read more

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Russian Gulch State Park is an amazing place to visit! There are over 15 miles of hikes and so much to see in this area. The fee is $8 for parking per vehicle unless you have the California State Parks Pass. If you do than your entry is free. This place is somewhat dog-friendly. Dogs are allowed in the campground, beach, and trails west of Highway 1. Dogs need to be on a leash. Dogs are not allowed on the Fern Canyon trail or trails east of Highway 1. Horses are allowed on some trails. You will find hikes in the redwoods and along the rugged coastline. We took the North Fern Canyon Trail to the South Fern Canyon Trail, although many people take the hike to the waterfall. You will park in the recreational canter parking area. Since many people go on hikes there, it's better to go early to avoid the crowds and secure a parking spot. The Russian Gulch Campground is open seasonally if this is something you are interested in. Either way, it's a gorgeous place with incredible views of the redwoods and rugged coastline and ocean. Enjoy! read more

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This is an absolute must see state park when you're in the area!! My fiancé and I always stop here when we come to Fort Bragg/Mendocino. It's $8 per vehicle and it's 100% worth it. There's many different sights to see and things to do here. Camping, beach, hikes, you name it. Our last stop here we visited both the devils punch bowl, and did the waterfall hike. The Devil's Punch Bowl/Sink Hole is just a short walk from the parking lot and is just breathtaking. Of all the times we've come here we actually just saw this part and I'm so glad we did, I actually had no idea it was there. Now I'll definitely be stopping by any time we're out here! The waterfall hike has a couple different trials to choose from to get to the waterfall. read more

It was a 3.5 hours drive from San Francisco but we'll worth it. We did the Fern Trail to the waterfall loop. It was an easy hike in the beginning but when you get to the waterfall loop you start gaining elevation. But it wasn't bad. The waterfall was a beauty. We relaxed and take pictures then finished the loop. Not a bad hike at all. There's also camping and the bathrooms was clean. Check out the bridge by the beach. read more

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We tried the Headlands trail (devil's punch bowl), a .4 mile trail that provides views of the pacific and the punchbowl located in Russian gulch state park. In all honesty, the views seemed a little underwhelming when compared to the majestic Mendocino headlands. Also the trail seemed a little difficult to locate unless you drove to the picnic area (which I'd highly recommend anyways) It's worth calling out that a black bear was spotted in this area as of 07/21 and so I'd recommend trying to visit as a small group read more

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We dropped by this park after a recommendation from a friend. On the first day, they were completely full and we had to go elsewhere (they might be limiting cars due to COVID19). The next day, we were able to get in, however, I'm removing a star due to the one-lane road you have to navigate to get to the camping and greater trail area. We literally got stuck on the way down and had to back all the way up for a truck and 3 cars behind him to get by. (you're supposed to yield to traffic coming up) There's no warning of oncoming traffic, so getting downhill is a bit of a challenge. We ended up taking the beach trails instead, which were still quite scenic and beautiful. Though I feel like they need to improve the road situation to get further into the park. read more

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So I both camped and hiked here over a couple days stretch. Beautiful country as it is right on the Northern California Coast between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg. This state park is a narrow stretch that goes from ocean to about 4-5 miles inland through forested hills. The campsites are pretty developed, fire rings, clean bathrooms, even showers. I actually have to give them props for having some of the cleanest bathrooms I've encountered yet for a campsite. The only thing I really didn't care for was closeness each site was within each other. You can totally see and hear your neighboring campers. Some sites may be better than others though, but where I was placed, not my ideal setting. The hiking is pretty good though. But can be handled in a couple of days stay. There's two main loops that actually connect to each other, so it kinda forms an "8" shape. One is significantly larger though. It is the Fern Canyon Loop and it is about a 5 mile loop. It is divided into the North Trail and the South Trail. The North is a WAY better route as it undulates through the hills through a heavily forested area, with lots of coastal redwoods in the fray. It is 95% in the shade, so it is cool and the smell of pine needles are undeniable. The South Trail is at a lower elevation and follows a creek/stream almost all the way. Now the sound of the stream is awesome, some babbling while other spots more rushing. But because it is close to some water, they have many spots that are super muddy and puddles to dodge. And bikers go through here frequently so between the muddy trail and the more trafficked area, leaves for a messy out. I would skip this trail next time and just do a back and forth on the North Trail. The other loop is a Falls Loop and is only a little over 3 miles. Here you will run into a pretty good water fall deep in the woods. The spring after a good rains fall I heard is the best time to see good volume. In late September it was reduced to 2 falls, one super small and one pretty decent. It only falls down a cliff of about 25 feet, but the sound is still pretty exhilarating. The campground also is attached to small beach with a small tucked in lagoon which then opens to the ocean. The lagoon is very stable so good for a wade and possibly some snorkeling, if you can endure the norcal cold waters. Also popular for kayakers. There is also an iconic bridge that towers over this lagoon. So even though I only stayed for a short time, it was enough time to find out that I would definitely come back. The coastal hikes are super therapeutic and the redwood hikes were both exciting and relaxing at the same time. An awesome Highway 1 adventure that is there for the taking. read more

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Wow, if you are here visiting Mendocino, you need to go to Russian Gulch State Park! There is an $8 fee to enter the park, but there are so many trails to hike! I hiked the North Trail with my bf to go see the waterfalls and it did not disappoint. Especially because it's spring time and there were recent rains, there was quite a bit of waterfalls! When you first enter the park, you can continue driving straight and down this hill, parking is a but limited so I would Park wherever you see parking at the bottom of the hill. We started hiking from the restrooms where and it took us about 4 miles to reach the waterfalls using the North Trail. The thing we, we decided to take the Fern trail back and it was easy easier and shorter than the North Trail. If you're looking for easier hike, I would recommend taking the Fern trail cuz it was all paved and not very hilly. The North Trail got some elevation climb in the beginning and it was pretty muddy. The entire hike took us 7 miles and 2 hours to finish so it wasn't terribly hard or long. There are also some headlands to see and so we walked over to the devil's punchbowl. It wasn't high tide so it wasn't entirely filled but it was pretty to look at. The coast line was so beautiful with aquamarine colored ocean water and the rocks in the ocean. A pretty state park and if you're in the area, might as well come! read more

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If you enjoy fun, easy and secluded hikes, then this is the place for you. There's no designated parking but pretty easy to do next to the trailhead. Definitely hit the waterfall loop if you go here read more

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Most people will enter on the west side with access to the North Trail or the Fern Canyon Trail (the latter was closed in September 2021). But we drove east on Caspar Little Lake Road, also known as Road 409, for about 3.3 miles. You'll see a small sign that says Horse Camp. You just park along the road. From there you can get to the Waterfall Loop Trail (check out the AllTrails app for Russian Gulch Waterfall Loop Trail which will provide directions to the spot and provide navigation for the trail). It allows you to see the waterfall without having to transverse the long Fern Canyon Trail. From where we parked to doing the whole loop was 4.5 miles. There are some uphills and downhills but it's doable, especially since you're in a shaded forest. We finished in 2 hrs, even with me stopping to fix my shoelaces more than once! Anyway, it's GORGEOUS! Even though we also loved the coastal views from Noyo Headlands Park and MacKerricher State Park, this was a different experience with the rich foliage and dense trees. The waterfall is certainly no Niagara (it's pretty wimpy actually) but it was such a pleasant walk. One of our favorites! Tennis shoes are fine! Hiking shoes not required. Would definitely come back again. read more

Gorgeous. Excellent place for a woodsy hike (there are trails with coastal views but I got my fill of those at the Mendocino Headlands State Park). Bring cash. There's an $8 day use fee. The entrance station was unmanned when we came but there were envelopes. You just fill out the tag, place it in the envelope along with the cash and drop it in the dropbox, keep part of the tag and place it on your windshield. Make sure you grab a map! We did the North Trail (about 5 miles RT) and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful and very peaceful. Few people. The trailhead started at the campground (just past the bathrooms) and was well marked. Parking was limited and unavailable at the trailhead but we drove back toward the entrance and found a slightly larger lot. Use the helpful map as it will show you all the parking areas, trails, and bathrooms. read more

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Beautiful park. Day 1 - We paid $8 for the car entrance fee. Since we arrived late in the afternoon, we hiked Headlands (Devil's Punch Bowl) and Southlands trail. Both trails are easy and relatively flat. You have a beautiful view of the coast. You'll be fully exposed in the sun, so wear a hat. Day 2- we took the Route 409 to the end (7 minutes from Highway 1). We parked where the pavement turns to gravel and walked through the gates toward the North Boundary Trail. From there we went to the waterfalls via East Trail (0.50 mi) and then Fern Grove Trail (0.10 miles). It's about a 20-30 minute hike depending on your pace. After the waterfalls we decided to loop around and take a longer way to the car instead of backtracking. read more

Russian Gulch State Park - March 2019- after months of unrelenting rain. - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

Amazing park! Highly recommended. Did the North Trail because Fern Trail was closed. Took 3.5 hours to walk to the waterfall and back but totally worth it! 5 stars! read more

I climbed the canyon to a river-head, And looking backward saw a splendor spread. Miles beyond miles, of every kingly hue And trembling tint the looms of Arras knew-- A flowery pomp as of the dying day, A splendor where a god might take his way. Excerpt from, " Mendocino Memory" by Edwin Markham Russian Gulch State Park is going to be added as one of my favorite parks. Where the earth meets the ocean, in all of it's glorious splendor. We came, we explored and oh, what a beautiful sight this place is! We took it upon ourselves to take a smaller hike, which led us to rugged cliffs, and endless trails of native wildlife. We did come upon the Devil's Punch Bowl, breathtakingly amazing. A huge bowl of sea water in the middle of the earth. On another side of the park, there's a sandy beach area, easily accessible by car. There are numerous picnic tables, bbq grills, and restrooms throughout the park. I came here to hike and check out the campgrounds and was quite pleased that the sites were grassy and more inland so you have shelter from the cold ocean breeze. Unlike Dillon Beach, your not as exposed so that dry camping could be quite pleasant and comfortable. They do allow trailers there too. Unfortunately, we didn't have much daylight left to hike to the falls, maybe next time. Russian Gulch is a great stopping ground for abalone divers, day hikers, campers, kayakers, horseback riding and camping. read more

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Our visit broke into two separate events. 3-star hike up the gulch to a waterfall: Drive to the signs for camping and beach. The normal parking lot was closed so we parked at the recreation center. Fern Canyon Trail was also closed due to maintenance. Alternatively, the North Trail was open which also reaches the Falls Loop Trail but with a bit more work. We recorded 7.7 miles roundtrip with 950' of gain due to the rolling trail. At best, the fall was 20' tall with a dribbling cascade of water. It was a long way to go for a minor waterfall. Sure, there were redwoods but nothing huge. Sure, there were pretty ferns along the creek but that's not unique around here. 4-star short walk to a sink hole: By car, follow the signs to the picnic area. To avoid wasteful wandering, walk to the trail closest to the handicapped parking spot. The sink hole is not a blowhole with a tiny spigot a few feet from the shoreline but a house-swallowing pit a couple basketball courts away from the water. The adjacent ocean view was comparable to other locations hundreds of miles up and down the coast. We also spotted an unspotted deer in this area. Allow at least 15 minutes to visit. A $8 day use fee was collected at the staffed entrance. read more

Completed the 5 mile hike to the falls. The hike was beautiful and well maintained. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and snacks. read more

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Whether a day visitor or camping at one of their lovely campsites you will enjoy serene beauty like no other. Gorgeous trails, nice bathrooms and close to Mendocino. What more could you ask for? read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Tree stump art - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California

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My memories of Russian Gulch State Park stretch all the way back to the 70's. And each time I visit it's like I am visiting for the first time. It's the perfect spot for a morning hike or a weekend camping adventure. The campsite is well equipped and offers easy access to the beach and the beautiful coastal redwoods. read more

Russian Gulch State Park - Van Gogh-ish - Parks Near Me - Mendocino, California