The sight of surf crashing on the rocks greets you from the beach or bluffs at MacKerricher State Park, about 3 miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway 1. Walk along the shore; visit the tide pools; and watch for the seals that frequent the area. Head north on Ten Mile Beach Trail less than 1 mile, cross over the paved ex-logging road to freshwater Cleone Lake, home to almost 100 species of birds. If you keep walking north on Ten Mile Trail, in less than 2 miles you'll come to the dunes, where you'll discover Inglenook Fen, a marshy area that supports rare plants.
If you want to spend the night at MacKerricher, reservations are required at the three available campgrounds. Each campground has restrooms and coin-operated showers.
This park has more than a mile of ocean frontage and headlands with a surprise -- The Devil's Punchbowl. This 100-foot diameter hole in the rock was formed from a collapsed sea cave, and the fierce, churning waters warn you to keep a safe distance. Hikers will want to check out the Russian Gulch Creek Canyon, with its redwoods and a trail where you can view the bridge above the Russian River. If it's spring or early summer, and the creek is flowing, the 36-foot waterfall on Fern Canyon Trail is worth a look. The campsites offer privacy, and the restrooms have hot water and showers. This park is less than 10 miles south of Fort Bragg.
You can enjoy the peacefulness of Mendocino Woodlands State Park if you volunteer or attend a workshop at this inland redwood forest property, less than 15 miles southeast of Fort Bragg. The park was built in the 1930s as a 720-acre, year-round group camping retreat facility; it is also an environmental center. Campers spend the night, dine and attend meetings in historic, lodge buildings. During free time, you can hike, visit the beaver pond and watch for wildlife along the trails. The park is not open to the public for day use, but there are three ways you can visit and stay overnight. You can become a Friends of the Woodlands volunteer for a few hours; sign-up for a weekend workshop; or visit with an organized group.
At Van Damme State Park, you can fall asleep listening to the ocean waves crash on the beach. During the day hike on the Fern Canyon scenic trail where you'll find a bog and river, or jog and bike on the park's paved trail. This area is popular with abalone divers and kayakers. A private company operates ocean kayak tours year-round; you'll find them at the beach parking lot. Reservations are suggested. Each campsite here has a fire pit, a picnic table and a food locker. Some sites accommodate more than one tent. You'll travel about 15 miles south of Fort Bragg to reach this park.
The views of the ocean, the migrating whales in season, and the arches and rock formations are some of the main attractions at Mendocino Headlands State Park. Follow the trail from the parking area to the headlands where you can walk on the bluffs looking over the Pacific Ocean. Playing on the beach, fishing and surfing complement the scenery here. This is a day-use only park. Access the wide, sandy beach from the parking lot. The state park is 17 miles south of Fort Bragg.
