Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

About Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Founded in 1927, the park consists of Redwoods State Park on the Del Norte Coast, a 1.5 km long network of trails. The terrain is dense with a variety of species, and the mixed undergrowth includes trees, shrubs, grasses and other vegetation as well as a large number of native plants and animals.

The vegetation consists mainly of red alders, which will eventually give way to fir and sequoia. The topography is quite steep, with an altitude above sea level of 1277 m, and the predominant mountain range is north-south oriented with steep cliffs bordered by the Pacific Ocean, making it a great place for hiking, hiking and pedal climbing.

CoveThis is for hiking, but offers great views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is safe for swimming, with a maximum depth of 1.5 meters and a minimum of 2 meters.

The park is the oldest sequoia still growing in California and is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DNR) and California State Parks (CSP).

Morning and evening fog is common in the summer months, morning and evening foggy in the early morning and late evening.

Most of the National Park is on the ocean side of Highway 101, and in fact the Redwood Highway (101) was once a beautiful hiking trail, but the old highway was abandoned along its current route in 1935. This makes hiking a great experience and offers a landscape that lives up to its name: extensive redwoods, picturesque views and a variety of animal species.

The steep Damnation Creek Trail leads from pristine Redwood forest to a hidden rocky beach. The pink and purple rhododendron flowers that climb 30 feet above your head reinforce the impression that you have drifted into a tropical rainforest.

The creek was named after an early settler who moved into Redwood State Park in 1828. An expedition camped at Damnation Creek in June 1829 found it very difficult to camp there.

Those who hike here will certainly find a certain amount of solitude, but not afraid to venture into the wilderness of Redwood State Park for a few hours.

Take more time on this hike and explore the rocky Damnation Cove when you can see the tidal pools. The last stretch of road to the beach is the most scenic part of Redwood State Park on the Del Norte coast, but it should only be done by those who are sure of their abilities.

Drive to Crescent City and cross the old Coast Highway, which is now part of the coastal path connecting the Redwood Parks. At the junction with the signpost, the path leaves the sight and sound of this highway as it climbs a ridge, climbs about a kilometer into Redwood Forest and begins its descent to the sea. On the descent, follow the path that locals and Yurok used to reach their beach, where seaweed and shellfish are collected.

Further down the steep hairpin bend leads through Redwood Forest, past the old Coast Highway and to the beach at the end of the path.

A wooden bridge makes it easier to cross two branches of Damnation Creek, and there is a pampered view of the Pacific as the path turns into it. Along the way, you reach the cliffs at the mouth of Damnation Creek, but there is no sign of the stream flowing into the billowing Pacific.

The camp is located about 3 miles east of the highway, so you have to be a judge of the sketchy paths and the tides when deciding whether or not to go ashore.