Del Norte: Redwood Forests, Coast and Culture

You can plan a trip to Del Norte around several highlights: old-growth redwood forests, coastal trails and cultural history. Start planning with the places you want to visit. The location of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park provides a useful reference point: the park is 9 miles east of Crescent City on Highway 199.

Redwood Forests and the Smith River

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park protects 10,000 acres of old-growth redwood forest. Stout Grove is an old-growth coastal redwood forest within the park. A 1,300-foot boardwalk provides access to the Grove of Titans from the realigned Mill Creek Trail. Interpretive signs and exhibits with interactive elements complement the boardwalk. Redwood National and State Parks are a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.

The Smith River also shapes the region’s natural attractions: it is California’s last major free-flowing river. The Smith River National Recreation Area offers opportunities for swimming, steelhead fishing, whitewater rafting and kayaking. So, in addition to forest walks, activities in and on the water can also be part of your trip plans.

Trails Between Forest and Coast

The Damnation Creek Trail descends from fern-covered redwood forests to rocky tide pools and crashing waves. The trail to Enderts Beach is 1 mile long and provides access to colorful tide pools. Tides affect access to these pools, so take conditions into account when planning your visit.

Little Bald Hills Backcountry Camp is a destination for hikers, cyclists, horseback riders and travelers with pack animals. A permit is required for backcountry overnight stays. This makes the site a different kind of planning stop from the coastal trails: it’s about an overnight stay in the backcountry and the required permit.

Museums and Lighthouses

The Del Norte County Historical Society’s Main Museum houses a collection of Tolowa and Yurok basketry. It also displays original photographs of the destruction caused by the 1964 tsunami. The Tsunami Walking Tour in Crescent City includes nine exhibit stations. The museum and tour offer different points of interest if you want to explore basketry or the history of the tsunami.

Access to Battery Point Lighthouse and its island is possible only at low tide; conditions can be dangerous. Public tours include a climb up the lighthouse. Since times depend on the tides, check the schedule before your trip. Construction of the St. George Reef Lighthouse took almost ten years, from 1881 to 1890. The St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society offers tours there intermittently from October through May; confirm availability in advance.

Tours and More Ideas for Your Visit

Ocean World offers a fully guided tour lasting about 45 minutes. It includes a touch-and-experience tide pool. Allow time for the approximate duration as a separate activity and check before your trip to see whether the tour is being offered. In Crescent City, Rumiano Cheese offers free cheese samples; check before your visit to see whether they’re available.

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Discover more destinations: Crescent City, Klamath, Sierra County, Yuba County, El Dorado, Shasta, Trinity County, Alpine County.

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