National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Salt Point State Park Nearby Parks
State Park Information

State Park Overview
Rocky promontories, panoramic views, kelp-dotted coves and the dramatic sounds of pounding surf open grasslands, forested hills, pristine prairies and pygmy forests- you can experience all of these coastal wonders within the 6,000 acres of Salt Point State Park. With 20 miles of hiking trails, over six miles of rugged coastline and an underwater park, you can enjoy a variety of picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, skin and SCUBA diving and camping. The weather can be changeable along the rugged Northern California Coast. Even summertime can be cool as fog hugs the coastline and ocean winds chill the air. We recommend layered clothing for your visit.

Sandstone and Tafoni

Ever wonder where the streets of San Francisco came from? Sandstone from Salt Point was used in the construction of San Franciscos streets and buildings during the mid 1800s. If you look closely at the rocks at Gerstle Cove, you can still see eyebolts where the ships anchored while sandstone slabs were loaded onboard. Quarried rocks can still be seen scattered along the marine terrace north of Gerstle Cove. Look for the drill holes along the edges of the rocks that were used to separate the large rocks into smaller slabs.

Tafoni is the Italian word for cavern. It is a natural phenomenon that is common along the sandstone - the oceans edge at Gerstle Cove and Fisk Mill. Look for a honeycomb type network carved into the rocks forming pits, knobs, ribs and ridges. For more information on the geology of Salt Point click on link to the left.

Camping
All campsites, with the exception of our overflow camping -re equipped with a fire-ring, picnic table and food locker. The campgrounds have drinking water and restrooms but no showers. A dump station is not available.

The family sites and group campground are on our reservation system from March 15 to October 31 by calling 1-800-444-PARK (7275). November 1- March 14 they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The walk-in sites, hiker/biker sites and overflow camping are on a first-come, first-served basis year round- no reservations are available for these sites. Campgrounds consistently fill on weekends from April 1 to the end of September. Reservations are strongly recommended. For campground maps please see link to the left, but keep in mind that specific sites cannot be reserved.

FAMILY SITES

Two main campgrounds are available at Salt Point State Park. Gerstle Cove campground is situated atop the coastal bluffs on the ocean side of Highway One and offers 30 family campsites. Woodside Campground, with 79 sites, is located on the east side of Highway One.

WALK-IN SITES

The walk-in campground is located in the Woodside Campground and offers 20 sites which are located 1/3 to 1/2 mile from the parking area. Dogs are prohibited in these sites.

HIKER/BIKER SITES

Ten sites are available for campers on foot or bicycles. These sites are located behind the ranger office - Woodside Campground.

GROUP CAMPING

This camp is located on the ocean side of Highway One and accommodates a maximum of 40 people and ten cars. Dogs are prohibited.

OVERFLOW CAMPING

A day use parking lot located below Gerstle Campground is available for self-contained vehicles only. No tent camping or open fires are allowed. No restroom facilities or drinking water are available.

Trails

Picnicking
Fisk Mill Cove is a day use area that provides picnickers with paved parking, picnic tables, small upright barbeques, restrooms and drinking water. Additionally, the bishop pines in this area provide protection from the spring and summer winds. You can take a short walk from the north lot for a dramatic view of the Pacific Ocean from Sentinel Rocks wooden deck.

Stump Beach is another picnic area that offers one of the few sandy beaches north of Jenner. There are a few picnic tables - the parking lot and a primitive toilet with no running water. A 1/4 mile trail leads down to the beach.

South Gerstle Cove also has picnic tables - primitive toilet and a beautiful, exposed view of the ocean.

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

Fishing is permitted throughout the area with a valid fishing license, with the exception of Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve. The rocky coastline at Salt Point provides many excellent ocean fishing opportunities. Using bait of squid, shrimp, mussels, or smelt you can catch lingcod, cabezon, rockfish and greenlings while fishing from the rocks. Be careful to stay back from the waves reach, since the rocks can be slippery and the ocean is rough.