Our Mission The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the MacKerricher health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve ild harbor seals State Park the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, W protecting its most valued natural and sunning on offshore rocks cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. and scores of shorebirds foraging in the mounds of beached kelp may be your only company on this California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who stretch of pristine beaches need assistance should contact the park at and secluded coves. the phone number below. To receive this publication in an alternate format, write to the Communications Office at the following address.

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 www.parks.ca.gov

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MacKerricher State Park 24100 MacKerricher Road Fort Bragg, CA 95437 (707)937-5804

© 2002 California State Parks (rev. 6/2007) Printed on Recycled Paper hfjgjohsekgk; M acKerricher State Park’s diversity, Duncan MacKerricher moved to this moderate climate and wild beauty make area from Canada in 1865. A few years this special place on the Mendocino later, he bought 1,000 acres and named Coast a gem among California’s state parks. it Rancho de la Laguna, where he raised Watch harbor seals and migrating gray cattle, hogs and draft horses. After a wharf whales, stroll on secluded beaches, bicycle was built at Laguna Point, MacKerricher along an old logging road overlooking permitted the owner of a lumber mill the sea, and experience the solitude of on Mill Creek to construct a gravity-fed northern California’s most pristine stretch railway from Cleone to Laguna Point. Fishing at Lake Cleone of sand dunes. MacKerricher’s holdings became the core present trout-stocked, freshwater lake. of the park when his heirs sold the prop- Motorized boats are not allowed. erty to the State in 1949. Plant Communities Major Features The lake area and campgrounds host a Three miles north of Fort Bragg on forest of Bishop, Monterey and shore pine, Highway 1, the park extends approximately Douglas fir and other types of vegetation nine miles along the coast. The shoreline that thrive in the favorable soil and climate. of its south half consists of rocky head- Dunes topped with sand verbena, sea lands separated by sandy beaches and rocket, sand primroses, beach morning- coves. Miles of gently sloping beach lie in glories and grasses produce a palette of the northern half. yellows, reds and greens rolling gently The entrance road leading to the across the sand hills. Secluded beach Laguna Point boardwalk passes three Alongside an isolated stretch of campgrounds and Lake Cleone. The pic- beach, the Inglenook Fen Ten Mile Park History turesque overpass near Lake Cleone once Dune Preserve—an unusual sand dune For thousands of years, the Northern Pomo carried steam engine trains to the former complex—contains several terrestrial, and the Coast Yuki thrived on the natural Union Lumber Company mill in Fort Bragg. wetland and freshwater ecosystems. At riches of this area. The resources were so Today, walkers, joggers and bicyclists use their widest point, the dunes extend plentiful that various local subgroups, as the coastal trail—or haul road, as it is some three-quarters of a mile from well as other native groups, were routinely historically called. The haul road used to the beach to Highway 1. Please permitted to travel through Pomo and extend from Fort Bragg to the Ten Mile avoid stepping on plants. Walk on Yuki lands to fish and to collect seaweed, River watershed. Thirty-acre Lake Cleone the beach, rather than the dunes, shellfish, acorns and other foods. Today was once a brackish water marsh that to avoid harming a number their descendents still gather foods and received a high-tide dose of salt water. of sensitive, threatened or other resources natural to the area in the However, construction of the haul road endangered dune species. practice of native traditions. blocked off the seawater, creating the Bishop pine Sea and Baja California. The headlands, Activities shoreline, lake, wetlands, woods and sand Scheduled or guided activities, including dunes draw more than 90 species of birds. hikes, Junior Ranger and campfire programs, Black-tailed deer are often seen near are posted on bulletin boards throughout the the lake, as are raccoons, gray foxes, park. During gray whale migration seasons, rabbits, and gray and ground squirrels. there are organized whale watches on Laguna Osprey, ring-necked and mallard ducks, Point. A mounted skeleton of a 30-foot gray and great blue herons are some of the whale is exhibited next to the visitor center birds found year-round at the lake, which at the park’s entrance. Staffed by volunteers, also serves as a resting habitat for migra- the visitor center features interpretive Schoolchildren visit the tide pools. tory waterfowl. Though rare, mountain displays and a gift shop with books and lions have also been sighted in the area. other printed material. A private concession The headlands leading to Laguna Point located near the park offers horse rides in are blanketed with a thick mat of grasses. Camping and Picnicking designated areas of the park. Velvet grass, sweet vernal and several In the park’s four campgrounds, 148 other varieties of grasses and wildflow- campsites accommodate tents and Nearby State Parks ers cover the headlands that extend to recreational vehicles up to 35 feet. All • Westport Union Landing State Beach Pudding Creek, where a popular beach and campgrounds have restrooms with flush 1.5 mile north of Westport (707) 937-5804 the Pudding Creek Trestle are found. toilets and hot showers, and all sites • Russian Gulch State Park, 2 miles north Wildlife have tables, food storage lockers and of Mendocino (707) 937-5804 fire rings. Ten walk-in campsites offer a Rocky shorelines are home to tide pool • Caspar Headlands State Beach and State backpack-type experience without a long organisms that have adapted to their Reserve, 4 miles north of Mendocino hike. Walk-in campers park in a designat- specific intertidal homes. They can die if (707) 937-5804 ed area at the south edge of Surfwood moved just a foot or two, so please don’t Accessible Features Campground and carry equipment and endanger these protected resources. • The raised walkways at Laguna Point and supplies some 50 yards to campsites. Kelp forests line the water along the Lake Cleone Camping reservations are highly recom- north side of the point. On the beach you mended, particularly in the summer. • Restrooms and six paved campsites may see shorebirds foraging amid kelp The Lake Cleone that has been washed ashore. Harbor Accessibility is continually picnic area has tables, seals sun themselves on the rocks near improving. For current fire pits with grills, run- the point. From mid-December to early accessibility details call ning water and a great April, crowds are drawn the park or visit view of the lake. A to the overlooks as http://access.parks.ca.gov. 1.3-mile trail circles gray whales migrate the trout-stocked lake. between the Bering Restrooms are nearby. Osprey Please Remember • The ocean can be very dangerous. Always keep an eye on the surf and never turn your back on the ocean. • It is illegal to remove or harm plants, animals or other natural features. • Keep dogs under control and on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs must be enclosed in a tent or vehicle at night. • Bicyclists under age 18 must wear helmets. Bicycles are not allowed on boardwalks and the lake trail. • Keep campground fires in the rings provided. Purchase firewood at the park entrance and at camp host sites. Do not collect fallen twigs and branches—they provide important nutrients. • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Engine-driven generators are not allowed between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. • There is a two-vehicle limit per camp- site. Extra vehicle fees apply. Park only in your registered site's parking area. • Call (800) 444-7275 for camping reservations or visit www.parks.ca.gov.

This park is supported in part through a nonprofit organization. For more information contact: Mendocino Area Parks Association, P.O. Box 1387, Mendocino, CA 95460 • (707) 937-5397 Email: [email protected]