A serene stretch of towering second-growth redwood groves lining a scenic river corridor, offering picnicking, wildlife viewing, and peaceful immersion in a lush forest landscape.
Hours may vary seasonally and some areas remain open without posted gate hours
Camping (nearby campgrounds): Approximately $10–$12 per night
Pet fee (campgrounds): About $1
How to Get There
From Mendocino (18 mi): Take CA-1 south to CA-128 east, then follow the winding scenic highway inland for about 10 miles until you enter the redwood-lined corridor of the park.
Overview
Navarro River Redwoods State Park is a long, narrow park that follows the Navarro River through a corridor of second-growth redwoods along Highway 128 in Mendocino County, from the Anderson Valley to the Pacific. The park grew from Paul M. Dimmick State Park, established in 1928, and was later expanded with land protected by the Save the Redwoods League. Most visitors experience it as a scenic drive, a “redwood tunnel to the sea,” stopping at pullouts, picnic areas and river access points. People also come to fish, swim, canoe and kayak on the river, and to camp at the beach or in the redwoods.
Access
The park is on Highway 128, with its main section about 2 miles east of the junction with Highway 1 near Albion, and it stretches roughly 11 to 14 miles upriver. Nearly all visitors arrive by car, and Highway 128 is the main route between the coast and the Anderson Valley wine region. Navarro Beach is reached by a road on the south side of the Navarro River bridge, while the Paul M. Dimmick Campground is on Highway 128 about 6 miles east of the Highway 1 junction. The highway is winding and narrow in places, so use the pullouts and drive carefully.
Seasons
The park is open year-round, but inland temperatures can be quite warm in summer, unlike most coastal parks. Late winter and spring are the most active times on the river for anglers, canoeists and kayakers, and the redwood groves stay green and misty through spring. Summer brings warm days for picnicking and swimming, and fall offers fewer visitors. The Dimmick Campground is open only in summer and may flood in winter, while Navarro Beach is exposed to wind and fog.
Things to Do
Drive Through One of California's Most Scenic Redwood Corridors
Navarro River Redwoods State Park is a unique linear state park that follows the Navarro River along Highway 128 in Mendocino County. The park is famous for its towering coast redwood groves that create a spectacular natural corridor, offering visitors one of the most memorable scenic drives in Northern California as they travel between the Anderson Valley wine region and the Pacific Coast.
Experience Magnificent Old-Growth Redwood Forests
The park protects thousands of acres of redwood forest, including some impressive old-growth trees. Visitors can immerse themselves in the quiet beauty of these ancient forests while enjoying the cool temperatures, filtered sunlight, and peaceful atmosphere that characterize California's redwood ecosystems.
Enjoy Picnicking Along the Navarro River
Several roadside pullouts and picnic areas provide access to the Navarro River and surrounding redwood groves. These locations offer opportunities to relax, enjoy lunch beneath towering trees, and experience the natural beauty of the river corridor.
Explore the Navarro River Watershed
The Navarro River supports a diverse ecosystem that includes salmon, steelhead trout, native plants, and wildlife. Visitors can observe the river's role in shaping the landscape while learning about the importance of watershed conservation and habitat protection.
Observe Wildlife and Seasonal Changes
The park's forests and river habitats support deer, river otters, hawks, owls, songbirds, and numerous other wildlife species. Seasonal changes bring vibrant greenery, wildflowers, autumn colors, and varying river conditions that provide unique experiences throughout the year.
Combine Redwoods, Wine Country, and Coastal Exploration
Because of its location along Highway 128, Navarro River Redwoods State Park is often combined with visits to Anderson Valley wineries, Mendocino Coast attractions, and nearby parks such as Russian Gulch State Park and Hendy Woods State Park.
Top Trails
Redwood Grove Nature Walks
Length: Various short walks
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Numerous informal paths and roadside access points allow visitors to explore groves of towering redwoods and enjoy close-up views of some of the park's most impressive trees. These short walks are ideal for photography and nature appreciation.
Navarro River Access Trail
Length: Approximately 0.5 to 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Several access points lead visitors to the river's edge, where they can observe the Navarro River, enjoy wildlife viewing, and experience the tranquil setting created by the surrounding redwood forest.
Roadside Redwood Exploration Route
Length: Varies by visitor
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
This self-guided experience allows visitors to stop at designated pullouts throughout the park corridor to view old-growth redwoods, photograph the scenery, and enjoy short walks beneath the forest canopy.
Navarro River Scenic Corridor Drive
Length: Approximately 11 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Although primarily a driving experience, this scenic route through the heart of the park is considered one of the best ways to appreciate the scale and beauty of the redwood groves that line both sides of Highway 128.
Visitor Centers
The Navarro Visitor Center is in the historic Captain Fletcher’s Inn near the river mouth, with information on the park’s history and natural resources. There is no formal visitor center elsewhere in the park. Facilities include parking, restrooms and drinking water, and the park office can be reached at (707) 882-2463. The Mendocino District office is at (707) 937-5804.
Camping and Lodging
The park has two campgrounds: Navarro Beach Campground at the river mouth and Paul M. Dimmick Campground in the redwoods, which is open only in summer. Hendy Woods State Park in the Anderson Valley also has camping. Inns, hotels and vacation rentals are in Albion, Little River and Mendocino on the coast, and in Boonville and Philo in the Anderson Valley, with Fort Bragg also within about 40 minutes.
Sources: California State Parks official Navarro River Redwoods State Park information, including details on redwood forests, the Navarro River corridor, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, and visitor access.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438
Additional information verified through Mendocino County visitor resources covering the Navarro River watershed, scenic drives, redwood groves, nearby attractions, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Navarro River Redwoods State Park.
https://www.visitmendocino.comhttps://www.visitmendocino.com
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Navarro River Redwoods State Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from California State Parks.