Tolowa Dunes State Park is a coastal park 2 miles north of Crescent City, California, with ocean beach, dunes, wetlands and wooded ridges.
It’s open year-round for day use, and the park’s varied terrain supports activities from hiking and horseback riding to wildlife viewing. The park is about an 11-minute drive from Westward Inn, a two-star inn in Crescent City.
- Location: California’s northern coast, north of Crescent City.
- Day-use hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- Facilities: Parking and restrooms.
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, beach use and wildlife viewing.
Where Tolowa Dunes State Park Is
Tolowa Dunes State Park lies on California’s northern coast, 2 miles north of Crescent City. Its landscape brings together ocean shoreline, river, sand dunes, wetlands and wooded ridges, so the setting changes across the park rather than following one continuous stretch of beach.
The park is in the traditional homeland of the Tolowa people, who were the most recent Native Americans to occupy the area. California State Parks says natural resources were important to the Tolowa people’s economic and political way of life.
The park’s address is 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531. From Crescent City, directions begin with Northcrest Drive north from Highway 101; access roads include Old Mill Road off Northcrest Drive and, farther along, Lower Lake Road to Kellogg or Pala roads.
What to See in the Park
Tolowa Dunes State Park offers a mix of beach, river, open and vegetated dunes, wooded ridges and wetlands. These habitats make the park a place for nature and wildlife viewing as well as outdoor activities.
The park is an important Pacific Flyway stopover for thousands of migrating ducks, geese and swans. Spring and early summer are the season for viewing wildflowers. For another look at the local coastline, you can compare the park’s setting with which stretch of Crescent City shore to choose.
Day-use activities include fishing, guided tours, beach use, nature and wildlife viewing, and geocaching. Trail uses include biking, hiking and horseback riding. These are activity options rather than a specified route itinerary, so choose what suits the terrain and your plans once you arrive.
Access and Parking
The park has parking and restrooms, and day use runs from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. You can enter the area using access roads from Northcrest Drive, including Old Mill Road and the route farther along Lower Lake Road toward Kellogg or Pala roads.
A California Coastal Trail information point identifies a parking and access point at the end of Tell Boulevard on the north shore of Lake Earl. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
Seasonal conditions can shape a day outdoors on this coast. Summer days typically range from the 60s to 70s degrees Fahrenheit and winter days from the 40s to 60s; average annual rainfall is about 60 to 80 inches, mostly from November through May. For a broader month-by-month picture, see what Crescent City weather is like by month.
Planning a Visit from Crescent City
For a day visit, use the park’s sunrise-to-sunset schedule to plan your arrival, then choose among the activities: beach use, wildlife viewing, fishing, guided tours or geocaching. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are also trail options. The park’s mix of shoreline, dunes and wetlands gives you several kinds of landscape to explore during the same visit.
Check the official site before you go. California State Parks provides the park’s hours, access details, facilities and rules, including the dog restriction.
FAQs
Is Tolowa Dunes State Park open year-round?
Yes. Day use is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Are dogs allowed at Tolowa Dunes State Park?
No. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
What activities can you do at the park?
Options include beach use, fishing, guided tours, nature and wildlife viewing, geocaching, hiking, biking and horseback riding.