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Russian Gulch State Park
Nearby Parks:
Van Damme State Park
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Jug Handle State Reserve
MacKerricher State Park
Jackson State Forest
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
Dimmick Memorial Grove State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Russian Gulch State Park
Phone: 707-937-5804
Reservations: 800-444-7275
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Area Accommodations
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| This park is known for the heavily forested Russian Gulch Creek Canyon, a headland that features the Devil?s Punch Bowl (a large, collapsed sea cave with churning water), and a beach that offers swimming, tide pool exploring, skin diving and rock fishing. Inland, there is a 36-foot high waterfall. Hikers enjoy miles of hiking trails. The park also has a paved three-mile bicycle trail.
Russian Gulch State Park was acquired in 1933 through gifts of land and money by A. Johnston and the County of Mendocino to match State Park funds.
The park has a total area of 1,162 acres with 7,630 feet of ocean frontage. With its rugged headlands thrusting out into the blue Pacific, the park is thought of by many as the north coast's rival of Point Lobos.
One of the many features of the headlands is the "blow hole." Its formation was made by the incessant pounding of waves against the coastal headlands. A tunnel has been formed which comes inland about 200 feet, and at its end the earth has caved away forming a hole 100 feet across and 60 feet deep; one can look into this flower and plant-lined pit and watch the surging sea at high tide. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Beautiful!
This park is so amazing! It has beautiful scenary... you got to see it to believe it! Amazing!
Written by Tanusha
21-Feb-2009
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| Trails: |
| Russian Gulch Trail
From Campground to Falls is 6.5 miles round tripwith 200-foot elevation gainRussian Gulch is a lush coastal range canyon filled with second generation redwoods, Douglas fir and California laurel. Beneath the tall trees grows an understory of ferns, berry bushes, azaleas and rhododendrons. The mouth of the canyon is framed, as if in a photograph, by a handsome Coast Highway bridge.
Above the river mouth, the park headlands offer great north and south coastal views. Out on the headlands is The Punchbowl, a collapsed wave tunnel that forms a 100-foot-diameter hole. This blowhole is an inspiring sight when the surf wells up inside the hole.
Take a direct or a more roundabout route through the canyon and either a longer or shorter route to the waterfall. It?s possible to combine all trails into a delightful nine mile tour of the park. |
| History of the Area: |
| Russians who established Fort Ross in 1811 were probably the first white men to explore and chart this area. Later, when cartographers were sent out by U.S. Government to chart this spot was called Russian Gulch for want of a better name.
In 1852 Harry Meiggs, a San Francisco engineer and promoter, erected a sawmill at Big River. This was the start of redwood lumber industry on the Mendocino Coast.
Soon other mills were popping up in all the little inlets, or "dog holes" as they were called. Since the sea was the only means of travel, these dog holes such as Russian Gulch were regular stops for the little schooners traveling from San Francisco to Humboldt Bay. They would bring freight and passengers on the way north and pick up lumber and passengers on the way back.
This was a very dangerous operation in bad weather, and many of the little ships were lost. Some of the old iron rings used to hold the high lines that loaded lumber on the ships can be seen anchored in the rocks along the headlands.
Redwood was considered excellent material for railroad ties, and Russian Gulch produced many of the ties used on the transcontinental railroad. Shingles were also produced here . One of the first redwood shingle mills in this part of the country was built on the site where the recreation hall stands today. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Auberge Mendocino Seaside Inn & Cottages - Auberge Mendocino Bed and Breakfast formally Rachel's Inn
Auberge Mendocino, luxury Seaside bed and breakfast Inn and cottages. Access to beach and headlands, every amenity; great comfort with style | | Glendeven Inn - Delightful 1867 country inn on the Mendocino coast with fireplaces, ocean views, private baths. Breakfast delivered to your room. Art gallery and lovely gardens. Peaceful. | | Stevenswood Spa Resort - A four diamond / five star country inn and restaurant of contemporary elegance nestled in the forest by the sea on the Mendocino Coast. The perfect escape with its canyon side private spas and sculpt |
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| Related Links: |
| Russian Gulch State Park - RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK & Two miles north of Mendocino the coastline makes a sharp indentation into the Land. There, the ... interfered. History Russian Gulch State Park was acquired in 1933 ... | | Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino County - Information on individual northern California dive sites. ... Rocky Entries Russian Gulch State Park Mendocino County Home Marine Resource Issues Northern California Diving Current Conditions Marin ... | | Russian Gulch State Park Map - Reservations: Call (800) 444-7275 "Thou Shalt Not..." No unleashed dogs While you're at it Snorkeling SCUBA Diving Back to Russian Gulch State Park Guide Russian Gulch State Park Map | | Russian Gulch State Park - ... While you're at it Snorkeling SCUBA Diving ? Back to Camping Guide Bay Area Camping Guide: Russian Gulch State Park State Route 89 P.O. Box 440 Mendocino, CA 95460 (707) 937-5804 Russian Gulch ... | | Shore Diving Site Page for: Russian Gulch State Park of California North, USA West - Celebrate Shore Diving and Snorkeling in USA West! ... Russian Gulch State Park California North USA West Home With all the amenities you'd expect of a California State Park, this is an excellent place ... | | John and Shelly in Russian Gulch State Park, California - Russian Gulch State Park near Mendocino, California. John and Shelly had been cycling for 13 months ? around the world. They had lots of great stories to tell. They were looking forward to their ... | | Seattle to San Francisco Bicycle Tour, 1991 by Chuck Anderson - The story of my first long distance bicycle tour. cycle, bicycle, pacific, west coast, seattle, san ... State Recreation Area to Russian Gulch State Park (Mendocino) Russian Gulch State Park to ... | | Fort Bragg California Bed and Breakfast near Russian Gulch State Park Bed and Breakfast In - The fabled Mendocino Coast is a welcome change from the rush of city life. Clean air, stretches of ... Bragg California Bed and Breakfast near Russian Gulch State Park Grey Whale Inn 615 N Main ... | | Mendocino Coast & County Online Directory - State Park and Camping Internet Guide - Mendocino Parks and Mendocino Camping Parks in Northern California ... Arena Lighthouse & Museum Point Cabrillo Light Station, Caspar Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino State Parks of Mendocino Coast ... | | Mendocino Coast & County Online Directory - Places to Go - Mendocino Places to visit on the Mendocino Coast ... of Motive Power - Museum, Willits Ross Ranch, Horseback Riding, Elk Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino Skunk Train, Fort Bragg Solar Living Center ... | | Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| The park is two miles north of Mendocino on Highway 1. |
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