paul m. dimmick campground

Paul M. Dimmick State Recreation Area is located on State highway 128 about six miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The highway, a highly scenic route, follows the Navarro River from Dimmick through what is known locally as "the Tunnel of Redwoods-to-the-Sea". This beautiful little park is the smallest unit in the California State Park System where camping and picnic facilities are provided. Just under twelve acres it contains 23 campsites and picnic facilities for several parties. During summer the weather is considerably warmer than that on the coast, seldom is fog encountered, and a cool evening breeze makes for comfortable sleeping.

Being right on the Navarro River, which is warm in summer except right at the mouth of the north fork, children have a lot of fun wading in this crystal clear water. The pools are not deep enough for good swimming but a few do take part in this sport. Most of the camp and picnic equipment is portable and is removed each winter due to the danger of floods (as much as twelve feet of water has been observed during flood periods) in the spring. Around May 1st the equipment is moved back and set up for the vacationer. There is no summer fishing in the stream at Dimmick, but during the winter steelhead fishing is considered excellent when water conditions are right.

This is a fine place to camp while exploring the magnificent Mendocino coastline. It is just an hours easy drive to Fort Bragg or Point Arena, and there is much to see along the way.

Navarro River Redwoods State Park and Beach

After winding over rolling hills and through the Anderson Valley, motorists traveling along Highway 128 suddenly enter an eleven-mile-long "redwood tunnel to the sea." The redwood forest along the Navarro River is a magnificent sight. Visitors to this state park can enjoy picnicking, swimming, and camping at the Paul M. Dimmick campground. The park is popular with anglers, canoests, and kayakers in the late winter and spring. Second growth redwood groves stretch the length of the park. They are home for raccoons, black-tail deer, and river-oriented birds such as the belted kingfisher. Unlike the coastal parks, summer may warm this unit to 85 or 90 degrees.

Navarro Beach Campground

This beautiful little campground is located at the mouth of the Navarro River on the Pacific ocean. The access road is located on the south side of the Navarro River Bridge. There are only ten primitive campsites and no running water. The campsites are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

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