MacKerricher State Park

A Wild and Beautiful Gem on the Mendocino Coast

MacKerricher State Park is wild, beautiful and varied. This 1,530 acre Mendocino beach park includes rugged headlands, rocky shoreline with tidepools, miles of gently sloping beach, sandy coves, two freshwater lakes, pristine sand dunes, coniferous forest, an offshore underwater park, and abundant wildlife.

Pudding Creek Beach is a popular sandy Mendocino beach located in the southern section of the park. To the north, the more isolated Ten Mile Beach borders the Inglenook Fen Ten Mile Dunes Preserve, where you can explore the sand dunes and wetlands. Take the Coastal Trail (also known as the Haul Road) to access the beach and dunes.

There's plenty to do here. During winter and spring, watch the migrating whales from the park's headland. Take the path to the Seal Watching Station at the tip of Laguna Point for a particularly good viewpoint. Or go horseback riding on the 6 mile long equestrian trail along the beaches and dunes. A private concession near the park offers guided trail rides at the park.

MacKerricher is a good place for wildlife viewing. Over 90 species of birds have been sighted here, and black-tailed deer frequent the lake area. You'll also find tide-pool critters, harbor seals, raccoons, gray foxes and rabbits.

Fishing is available at the two trout-stocked freshwater lakes, Lake Cleone and Sand Hill Lake. There's a boat ramp for non-motorized boats at Lake Cleone.

There's an entrance/parking fee, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, hiking trails, a visitor center with exhibits, a wheelchair-accessible nature trail and a boardwalk at Lake Cleone. There are also 148 campsites with firepits, hot showers, picnic tables, and food storage lockers.

MacKerricher is located 3 miles north of Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. It's accessible from Highway 1.

For official information and to download a park brochure with map see MacKerricher State Park.

Virtual Guidebooks provides a panoramic view of the beach at MacKerricher State Park.