Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is n the springtime, herbs, to provide for the health, inspiration and I Patrick’s Point education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological grasses, and shrubs diversity, protecting its most valued natural and State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities decorate the meadows, for high-quality outdoor recreation. producing colorful wildflower displays and providing scenic views California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who of the shoreline and need assistance should contact the park at (707) 677-3570. If you need this publication in an the rock outcrops. alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

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SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Patrick’s Point State Park 4150 Patrick’s Point Drive Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 677-3570 www.parks.ca.gov/patrickspoint © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) T hirty miles north of Eureka, a tree- and In 1850, when gold was found in the interior, of 1801. Captain Jonathan Winship arranged meadow-covered headland juts into the the Yurok people were overwhelmed by an with Governor Alexandr Baranov of Sitka, Pacific Ocean. This is Patrick’s Point State influx of settlers. Conflict over the land took Alaska, to take 100 native people from the Park, with a shoreline that ranges from the many forms. The native people were hunted Aleutian Islands to California on a successful broad sandy stretch of Agate Beach to sheer down; any who survived the attacks were sea-otter hunting expedition. cliffs that rise high above the sea. A number of forced onto reservations. Newly introduced With the discovery of gold in northern “sea stacks,” parts of the mainland that have diseases further decimated their numbers. California’s Trinity River in the mid­ been isolated by the pounding surf, stand Today, the Yurok have made a remarkable 1800s, the local territory experienced a offshore like fence pickets. recovery. As the most populous tribe rush of miners, packers, and would-be Patrick’s Point is shrouded in fog much of the in California, nearly 5,500 Yurok live in entrepreneurs. Those who had come year. During the summer, sometimes fog does Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Tribal seeking adventure and wealth through not burn off for days at a time. Crystal-clear members are building a future by revitalizing trading and trapping gave way to gold days appear most frequently during spring their ancestral language and traditions based miners and settlers. and fall. Rainfall averages more than 60 inches on the customs of the past. a year—most of it falling between November THE PARK Europeans and Americans and April. Temperatures are moderate much The California State Park Commission Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and Sir Francis of the year, with only about a 10-degree purchased Patrick’s Point in 1929 after Drake sailed along the coast of what is difference in average temperatures between approval of the 1928 Park Bond. Additional now Humboldt County as early as the summer and winter. Summer highs average 62 land was acquired over several years, 16th century, but it was a Spanish vessel degrees, with winter lows to 38 degrees. bringing the park’s total to 640 acres. From captained by Bruno de Hezeta that braved the beginning, the park was identified as a the unpredictable winds and rocky shoreline PARK HISTORY potential site for a traditional Indian village to land in Trinidad Bay in 1775. The fur trade that would portray the rich culture of the Native Americans had come to the Trinidad Bay region by June Yurok people have lived in and around northwest coast. Patrick’s Point State Park for generations. The temperate climate and abundant wildlife of the North Coast promoted a culturally rich way of life that continues today. Yurok people built villages of redwood planks along the coast and major waterways. Traveling by dugout canoe, they fished for salmon. They also hunted elk, deer, and small game. Berries, roots, and many traditional plants are still harvested at Patrick’s Point; acorns are still gathered from the hillside areas east of the park. Sumêg Village and pine. Spring and summer wildflowers grasses, and shrubs. They produce colorful In the 1800s, the Yurok world extended include Douglas iris, fairy bells, trillium, wildflower displays and provide scenic from the mouth of the Klamath River skunk cabbage, azalea, and rhododendron. views of the shoreline and rock outcrops. north to Wilson Creek, near Crescent Thimbleberries, salmonberries, and Agate Beach is a gently curving sand City, and south to Little River, near huckleberries are found along meadow strip that can be reached by a short, McKinleyville. The Yurok people lived edges. Fall and early winter bring out a steep trail from the Agate Beach parking in more than 50 villages, from the north wide variety of mushrooms, which may be lot. Semi-precious agates, for which the at Big Lagoon to the south at Trinidad. viewed but may not be picked. beach is named, are polished here by the Village sizes varied from two to two constant movement of sand and water. dozen houses. Winter’s driving winds and high tides also In 1990 an all-Yurok crew deposit driftwood of many shapes and constructed Sumêg Village, which sizes on the shore. consists of three typical redwood plank family houses, a sweathouse, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES a dance pit, three changing houses, Trails and a redwood canoe. All of these The Rim Trail is a two-mile walk that structures are made from boards offers excellent views of the ocean and split from redwood trees, using offshore rocks. Between Agate Beach hazel bindings and local stone. and Palmer’s The village was named Sumêg— Point, four rather which means forever in Yurok—in Sumêg Village. Above: Canoe and steep quarter-mile the hope that the village would plank house; Right: Sweathouse trails connect the endure for generations to come. Rim Trail to the During the period The village site is used for cultural and shoreline. from 1875 to 1925, this educational activities that preserve the A couple of area experienced large- heritage of several neighboring tribes: short, steep trails scale environmental Yurok, Karuk, and Hoopa. The park’s make it possible to devastation. The forest native plant garden just south of Sumêg reach the tops of was logged, burned, Village features plants used by the Yurok Ceremonial Rock and cleared to graze for basket-making, food, medicinal, and (rising 107 feet above the meadow) and sheep and cattle, and to plant hay and ceremonial purposes. Lookout Rock. These old sea stacks are potato crops and apple orchards. evidence of ever-changing sea levels and Now the meadows in the park closely NATURAL HISTORY geological uplifting. Though the park is in the heart of resemble the land prior to its acquisition California’s coast redwood country, the as a state park in 1929. Maintained by Camping/Picnicking principal trees within the park are Sitka mowing and removal of sprouting trees, There are about 120 family campsites spruce, red alder, Douglas-fir, hemlock, the park’s meadows are diverse with herbs, spread among the Penn Creek, Abalone, Interpretive Activities to salt water, fresh water in the form of rain, The park visitor center and fresh air, yet the intertidal zone is one contains exhibits highlighting of the richest areas of life in the ocean. the park’s natural and Wedding Rock, Patrick’s Point, and cultural history. Nature walks, Palmer’s Point offer viewpoints of the campfire programs, and spring and fall migrations of the California Junior Ranger programs are gray whale. This annual migration along provided during the summer the west coast of North America is months. School programs one of the world’s outstanding wildlife and group tours may be spectacles. While traveling between their scheduled all year round. summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea and their winter breeding grounds Viewing Wildlife on the Mexican coast, the forty-foot gray You may see and hear whales cover 10,000 miles in a year—the California and Steller sea longest migration of any mammal. Some lions and harbor seals on gray whales will summer in and around and Agate Beach campgrounds. Each the offshore rocks in the southern part of the Patrick’s Point coastline. campsite has a table and a fire pit. Water the park near Palmer’s Point. This is also an Patrick’s Point is a popular spot for faucets, restrooms, and coin-operated excellent place to explore tide pools. The viewing a variety of shore birds that showers are located nearby. species living in the tide pools have adapted visit the park during their spring and fall The Beach Creek and Red Alder Group to one of the harshest environments on earth, migrations. Binoculars help to spy on Camps can each accommodate up to 100 enduring pounding waves and howling winds. murres, winter wrens, or red crossbills. people. A covered cook shelter, picnic Depending upon the tides, they are exposed Sometimes black-tailed deer and tables, and fire pits are provided in group black bears are spotted. To avoid bear camps, with spigots, restrooms, and coin- encounters, keep your campsite clean and operated showers nearby. your food wrapped and stored safely. Two group day-use picnic areas may be reserved. Sumêg holds up to 100 people ACCESSIBLE FEATURES and Bishop Pine up to 50. Picnickers Accessible campsites are available in at Sumêg will find a covered cook shelter, both the Abalone and Agate Beach and Bishop Pine has fire pits. campgrounds. Accessible To reserve all campsites or group picnic restrooms with coin showers areas for May through September, visit are nearby. The visitor center www.parks.ca.gov/patrickspoint or call is generally accessible, with (800) 444-7275. From October through April, designated accessible parking camping and group picnic sites are first- Tide pool life. Above: Ochre and restrooms nearby. come, first-served. sea stars; Right: Gumboot chiton PLEASE REMEMBER Accessibility is continually improving. This park is supported in part through • Swimming is not advised. The ocean off Patrick’s For more information, please visit a nonprofit organization. Point is cold and dangerous. Children should http://access.parks.ca.gov. For more information contact: not even be allowed to wade, as there are Redwood Parks Association unexpected holes in the underwater sand, and NEARBY STATE PARKS 1111 Second Street the undertow can be very strong. “Rogue” waves • Humboldt Lagoons State Park Crescent City, CA 95531 appear periodically and usually unexpectedly, 115336 Hwy. 101 North, Trinidad 95570 (707) 464-9150 and can be much larger than ordinary waves. (707) 445-6547 www.redwoodparksassociation.org Never turn your back on the ocean. • Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area • Do not feed the animals. 32 miles north of Eureka on Hwy. 101 Though bears, raccoons, and Bald eagle Trinidad 95570 (707) 445-6547 skunks like “people” food, it is • Trinidad State Beach, 19 miles north unhealthy for them. Feeding of Eureka on Hwy. 101, Trinidad 95570 wild animals is unsafe for you (707) 677-3570 and against park rules. Do • Little River State Beach not leave anything edible 4851 Clam Beach Drive, off Hwy. 101 out overnight or when Trinidad 95570 (707) 488-2041 you are away from your campsite. Store food in locked vehicles or metal food lockers, and dispose of garbage in proper containers. • Plants, animals, and archaeological features are protected. Do not pick wildflowers or mushrooms. • Dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long. Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, and along paved roads. Except for service animals, dogs are not permitted on the beaches or on unpaved park trails. Do not leave them unattended. Loud or vicious dogs are not permitted in the park. Dogs must be confined in a tent or vehicle at night. Wedding Rock Legend Klamath Fort Jones 120 Patrick’s Point Prairie Creek Redwoods SP Somes State Park Freeway Locked Gate Bar 3 80 Humboldt Redwood Klamath Park Building Lagoons SP NP 96 NF 40 Major Road Harry A. 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© 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2016 )