Explore Northern California’s Biodiversity At This Underrated State Park
By Lysa Allman-Baldwin|Published July 01, 2022
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Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Author
For over 25 years Lysa Allman-Baldwin has fed her wanderlust for “everything the world has to offer” by passionately writing travel and feature articles for numerous global print and online publications. A Digital Nomad, Lysa is also a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.
Northern California is home to some of the most stunning state parks, each one offering its own unique perspective of the landscape since long before there were established cities here. Among them is Tolowa Dunes State Park, one of the most underrated state parks in California.
Located about 10 miles north of Crescent City, Tolowa Dunes State Park possesses a wealth of history.
Its name is in homage to the Tolowa Native Americans who were the first people to inhabit the area. Native American tribal lands have always played an important role in the history of California and here their influence was no different.
There is a lot to do at Tolowa Dunes State Park, drawing folks from around the area and across the state.
A wide variety of winged creatures call the lake area home. the lake is also situated along a migration path, so it’s very common to see all kinds of geese, ducks, and swans, at times numbering in the thousands.
Recreational opportunities include swimming, fishing, hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
In addition to riding down to the beach or along the many trails, there is a special equestrian-only access trail for one of the campgrounds here, which is a unique feature of this underrated park.
Bring the family and make an entire day of it here.
Waterfowl are not the only animals that thrive here. Four-legged creatures including coyotes, raccoons, deer, and other mammals populate the area.
After a visit to Tolowa Dunes State Park, you might wonder why it is so underrated. It has a great deal to offer and is one of the most unique and beautiful places for a Northern California getaway.
Have you spent time in Tolowa Dunes State Park? If so, what did you enjoy the most? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there.
