We’re well-known for our beautiful water in Northern California. Our region of the Golden State is filled with wonderful waterfalls, stellar swimming holes, riveting rivers, and luxurious lakes. Perhaps the most pristine, clearest water in all of Northern California is at the beautiful Russian Gulch State Park. This magnificent preserve boasts over a mile of rocky shoreline. There are some wonderful trails here, and the water is absolutely gorgeous.  This is one of our favorite parks in the state, and it’s easy to see why!

Russian Gulch State Park lies a few miles north of Mendocino, but it looks like a tropical paradise.
Tom Hilton/Flickr
The park's landscape is quite unique. In just a few minutes, you can see canyons, verdant greenery, rocky shoreline, and, of course, the amazingly blue water.
Rennett Stowe/Flickr
There are over 15 miles of trails to explore here. Fishing, biking, kayaking, and horseback riding are other popular activities.
David Berry/Flickr
Swimming is allowed in designated areas, but make sure you check for signs. Some areas have strong rip currents that can pull swimmers out to sea.
Many people think that the clarity of a beach's water is related to the pollution in an area. However, it actually has more to do with mineral content, sediment, and water temperature.
david hoeft/Alltrails

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Whatever the reasoning behind it, the waters at Russian Gulch State Park are absolutely magnificent.
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
Whether you're looking to walk through the woods or along the shoreline and admire the sounds of rushing water...
Santiago Cavazos/Google Maps
...or you just want to relax by a waterfall and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of nature, Russian Gulch State Park is the best place to do it.
keppet/Flickr
The blue water here is some of the clearest water in Northern California and it's a must-see that belongs on anyone's bucket list.
Google Ben Adventure

Have you visited Russian Gulch State Park in Northern California? Share your experiences in the comments! Or if you’re looking for more information about this state park, including entry fees and weather conditions, check out the website here.

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Russian Gulch State Park, California 95460, USA