Top Things to do in Mendocino County
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10 State Parks in Mendocino County That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Mendocino County, United States including Jug Handle State Natural Preserve, Hendy Woods State Park, Montgomery Woods State Reserve, Russian Gulch State Park, Jughandle State Reserve, Van Damme State Park, MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Gualala Point Regional Park, Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park.
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1. Jug Handle State Natural Preserve
2. Hendy Woods State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
A great place to hike and camp among the Redwoods.
Reviewed By 310rayt - Maynard, United States
This is a nice spot if one wants convenient proximity of first growth Redwoods, easy hiking trails and access to the Navarro River. The river bank in summer is a nice place to read after hiking among the big trees.
3. Montgomery Woods State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By karinitabonita - Elk Grove, United States
It’s about 3 miles long. Very tall and beautiful trees and a creek. Gorgeous views!! It was 16 of us ages 4 to 75. We all enjoyed it. Trees are just all different and beautiful to look at. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
4. Russian Gulch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
This park's view of the Mendocino headlands is enhanced by a spectacular array of wildflowers.
Reviewed By barfiemermaid - Costa Mesa, United States
Main trail to the falls is closed so we had to take the north trail which adds a few more miles. We did almost 11 miles with altitude. It was a beatiful hike almost completely shaded. The cliffs on the north side was gorgeous as well as the sink hole!
5. Jughandle State Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
This reserve is famous for its Staircase Trail
Reviewed By okayaway - Benicia, United States
great views on the ocean and hills. easy to find off of highway 1 and a few great easy hikes out to the ocean cliffs.
6. Van Damme State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Picturesque spot known for its Pygmy Forest of small trees and Fern Canyon.
Reviewed By paulmU4660DC - Walnut Creek, United States
Hike beside the Fern Canyon Creek from the Van Damme Visitor Center to the Pygmy Forest Natural Preserve. The trail, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, crosses over the creek on 10 bridges. The trail follows the Creek up to the Pygmy Forest, but it's not a strenuous climb. The Pygmy Forest has a guided boardwalk explaining why the forest trees species are different from the flora and fauna in the Canyon.
7. MacKerricher State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 774 reviews
MacKerricher is a great place to observe whales, and it also provides a habitat for several rare plant species.
Reviewed By GinkgoPhoto - San Francisco, United States
This review is about the Surfwood campsite experience, for families. We booked site 124, which is on a small loop. These loop sites (121,122,123 and 124) are excellent for families with young kids who want to scoot and bike around. They are spaced away from each other. There is a path from this loop towards the beach, a mere 5 minute walk away. You can see the ocean from all the sites. 124 has the best shade, as it includes a large grove of trees (good for hammocks). The ground is a little lumpy, but not noticeable with sleeping pads. 123 is probably the best site in the loop, having some shade, and the shrubbery creates a cozy, enclosed nook, with trail access to the lake straight out of the campsite. No-one's trekking through to access the lake; it's a private path. Good site if you're bringing a kayak. A grove of trees behind the site provides a play area for kids. 122 and 121 have less shade but are just fine. The spigot is at 122. This was perhaps the LEAST buggy of my camp experiences, despite lake proximity. No-one received any mosquito bites! There were a few yellowjackets; just a mere rare nuisance. No raccoons nor squirrels. The ocean was loud at night. The night sky was amazing. Bathrooms were very clean, spacious and airy. The shower is quarter operated, $1 worth of quarters buying you 5 minutes. There are longer increments for more quarters. The water temperature was at least warm-ish, ranging to hot. The lake has a marshy border, with lots of plants between the path and the water. There is a path that goes alongside the lake by Surfwood camp, but it is quite overgrown. There are fish in the lake, and one can go fishing with permits and a kayak. Not possible to fish from the shore due to shrubbery. Lots of blackberries here! Kids had the best time picking them. Quick walk to the beach. This beach is NOT good for swimming. The surf is rough. Experienced, wet-suited swimmers only. However it's perfectly fine for sitting upon. The sand is grainy, like tiny pebbles. Not the kind of tiny sand that gets into every nook and cranny. The nature area boardwalk is also close to the beach. The boardwalk is lovely and scenic, with access to tide pools. FANTASTIC tide pooling! Even at +1ft low tide, there was a lot to be found. Bring your high rubber boots or water shoes. Get out far enough and you'll find huge green anemones, bat sea stars, ochre sea stars, crabs, sculpins, abalone shells, and even gumboot chiton! Tide pooling was the highlight of my visit. No complaints. Surf wood campsite is a clean, safe and fun place to enjoy the outdoors in times of Covid and non-Covid.
8. Mendocino Headlands State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
A scenic and appealing rugged promontory along the California coast.
Reviewed By Abacus3 - California, United States
Beautiful views and a lovely walk. It's also a great whale watching spot. Take your binoculars and a picnic, you'll want to stick around.
9. Gualala Point Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Located at the mouth of the Gualala River, this park offers great hiking trails and nature walks.
Reviewed By LarainM
wonderful walking trails along the bluff circling back to the parking area. Or head south to Sea Ranch bluff trail.
10. Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 690 reviews
OPEN 365 DAYS a YEAR -- THERE IS NO FEE -- Built between 1908 and 1909, and extensively restored, it is one of the most complete Lightstations in the U.S. and hosts visitors, vacation rentals, receptions and weddings, plus education programs for classes of local students. There is a parking area inside the gate off Point Cabrillo Drive, adjacent to the restored Kearn farmhouse with its public restroom. Enjoy the half mile downhill walk to the Light Station buildings. There is parking for vehicles with Disabled placards at the bottom of the hill. There are two paths to the Station. The dirt path begins at the north end of the parking lot and takes you through the introduced grassland and coastal prairie. The paved access road to the south is an easier walk. The Light Station includes the Lighthouse, which is an active duty Aid to Navigation, containing the original Chance Brothers classic 3rd order Fresnel lens. -- Three restored Lightkeeper homes; the first is a period museum of a lightkeeper's house in the 1930s; the other two houses are comfortable vacation rental homes, -- The restored Blacksmith & Carpentry Shop houses the Marine Science Exhibit with its 240 gallon saltwater aquarium, -- Two lovely vacation rental cottages, and public restrooms, one by the lightkeepers houses and another in the Kearn farmhouse. THERE IS NO FEE to tour the Lighthouse museum/giftshop or the period museum lightkeeper's house, although your donations are welcome. The Lighthouse, 1st Assistant Lightkeeper's House and Marine Science Exhibit are open to the public from 11am to 4pm year-round, including holidays. The State Historic Park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Reviewed By jam1015 - Rocklin, United States
This lighthouse is one of the few still having its original lens, as they are damaged, they are being replaced with LED's. Once you make the walk, wear comfortable shoes from the parking lot out to the lighthouse, you will be awarded with great views and treated to some wonderful history along with a marine exhibit. The docent at the lighthouse was the highlight super nice and shared so much with us.
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