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Salt Point State Park is located about 8 miles north of Fort Ross State Historic Park. Salt Point is named for the cliffs and crevices of the rocky shoreline where salt from ocean water crystallizes in sandstone depressions. The Native Kashaya Pomo gathered salt here for centuries. Rocky promontories, panoramic views, kelp-dotted coves, and the dramatic sounds of pounding surf; open grasslands, forested hills, pristine prairies, and pygmy forests- you can experience all of these coastal wonders within the 6,000 acres of Salt Point State Park. With 20 miles of hiking trails, over six miles of rugged coastline, and an underwater park, you can enjoy a variety of picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, skin and SCUBA diving, and camping. For more information visit the California State Park Salt Point site. For diving conditions call 707-847-3222. To make reservations for camping you must call Reserve America at 800-444-7275 or visit Salt Point site For educational opportunities call the park directly at 707-847-3221.
Fort Ross State Historic Park will also offer hikes by Keith Nelson. Please check under current events for more information.
Sandstone
Ever wonder where the streets of San Francisco came from? Sandstone from
Salt
Point was used in
the construction of San Francisco's streets and buildings during the mid 1800's.
If you look closely at the rocks at Gerstle Cove, you can still see eyebolts
where the ships anchored while sandstone slabs were loaded onboard. Quarried
rocks can still be seen scattered along the marine terrace north of Gerstle
Cove. Look for the drill holes along the edges of the rocks that were used to
separate the large rocks into smaller slabs.
Tafoni
Ever
wonder where the streets of San Francisco came from? Sandstone from
Salt
Point
was used in
the construction of San Francisco's streets and buildings during the mid 1800's.
If you look closely at the rocks at Gerstle Cove, you can still see eyebolts
where the ships anchored while sandstone slabs were loaded onboard. Quarried
rocks can still be seen scattered along the marine terrace north of Gerstle
Cove. Look for the drill holes along the edges of the rocks that were used to
separate the large rocks into smaller slabs. Tafoni is the Italian word for
cavern. It is a natural phenomenon that is common along the sandstone near the
ocean's edge at Gerstle Cove and Fisk Mill. Look for a honeycomb type network
carved into the rocks forming pits, knobs, ribs, and ridges. For more
information on the geology visit the
Salt Point Site
For more information read the
Field Guide to Salt
Point State Park by Sue Ellen Hirschfeld, Ph.D.
FACILITIES and ACTIVITIES
When utilizing the facilities at
Salt
Point State Park
we ask that you remain on developed trails at all time in order to preserve the
park's unspoiled qualities and to avoid contact with ticks and poison oak.
Mountain bikes must stay on paved or fire roads, however, fire roads are closed
to bicycles from October 31 to April 30. Bikes are not allowed on single-track
trails as they cause a great deal of damage to the trail surfaces. Dogs must be
kept on leash at all times and are not permitted on the trails or on the
beaches. They must be kept in a tent or vehicle at night. For additional State
Park regulations please click on link to the left.
Picnicking:
Fisk Mill Cove is a day use area that provides picnickers with paved parking,
picnic tables, small upright barbeques, restrooms, and drinking water.
Additionally, the bishop pines in this area provide protection from the spring
and summer winds. You can take a short walk from the north lot for a dramatic
view of the Pacific Ocean from Sentinel Rock's wooden deck.
Stump Beach is another picnic area that offers one of the few sandy beaches
north of Jenner. There are a few picnic tables near the parking lot and a
primitive toilet with no running water. A 1/4 mile trail leads down to the
beach.
South Gerstle Cove also has picnic tables, a primitive toilet, and a beautiful,
exposed view of the ocean.
Hiking and Horseback Riding:
There are over 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails to explore in
Salt
Point
State Park.
Trail maps are available at the entrance station.
Underwater Park:
The park includes one of the first underwater parks in California, Gerstle Cove
Marine Reserve, where marine life is completely protected. The cove affords
shelter for the hand launching of small boats and divers come to the cove to
explore the wonders of the undersea world.
Marine life can be experienced on land during low tide in the rocky intertidal
zone through tide pool exploration. When exploring these areas remember that
many of these organisms can be damaged or destroyed by even the simple act of
turning over a rock and exposing the animals to the sun.
Fishing:
Fishing is permitted throughout the area with a valid fishing license, with the
exception of Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve. The rocky coastline at
Salt
Point
provides
many excellent ocean fishing opportunities. Using bait of squid, shrimp,
mussels, or smelt you can catch lingcod, cabezon, rockfish, and greenlings while
fishing from the rocks. Be careful to stay back from the waves reach, since the
rocks can be slippery and the ocean is rough.
Camping:
All campsites, with the exception of our overflow camping, are equipped with a
fire-ring, picnic table, and food locker. The campgrounds have drinking water
and restrooms but no showers. A dump station is not available.
The family sites and group campground are on our reservation system from March
15 to October 31 by calling 1-800-444-PARK (7275). November 1- March 14 they are
available on a first-come, first-served basis. The walk-in sites, hiker/biker
sites, and overflow camping are on a first-come, first-served basis year round-
no reservations are available for these sites. Campgrounds consistently fill on
weekends from April 1 to the end of September. Reservations are strongly
recommended. For campground maps please see link to the left, but keep in mind
that specific sites cannot be reserved.
FAMILY SITES
Two main campgrounds are available at
Salt
Point
State Park.
Gerstle Cove campground is situated atop the coastal bluffs on the ocean side of
Highway One and offers 30 family campsites. Woodside Campground, with 79 sites,
is located on the east side of Highway One.
WALK-IN SITES
The walk-in campground is located in the Woodside Campground and offers 20 sites
which are located 1/3 to 1/2 mile from the parking area. Dogs are prohibited in
these sites.
HIKER/BIKER SITES
Ten sites are available for campers on foot or bicycles. These sites are located
behind the ranger office near Woodside Campground.
GROUP CAMPING
This camp is located on the ocean side of Highway One and accommodates a maximum
of 40 people and ten cars. Dogs are prohibited.
OVERFLOW CAMPING
A day use parking lot located below Gerstle Campground is available for
self-contained vehicles only. No tent camping or open fires are allowed. No
restroom facilities or drinking water are available.