Salt Point State Park is perched along California’s rugged Sonoma Coast near Jenner. It is a breathtaking 6,000-acre tapestry of rocky promontories, windswept prairies, pygmy forests, and kelp-framed coves. Here, sea and sandstone meet in dramatic harmony.
What Makes This Park Unique
Salt Point State Park boasts more than six miles of jagged sandstone shoreline. It is rich with tafoni formations. The park also houses one of California’s first underwater marine reserves at Gerstle Cove. Inland, an unusual pygmy forest of stunted cypress and pines transitions into sweeping prairies. This area includes windblown redwood groves and coastal chaparral. This layered landscape provides habitat for everything from bobcats, deer, and seabirds to tidepool creatures and bull kelp swaying in chilly coastal currents.
Top Activities and Amenities
Hiking Trails & Biking
There are over 20 miles of scenic paths. You can wander through dwarf forests. You can also walk along blufftop trails overlooking wild surf. Alternatively, descend to hidden coves and beaches. Many trails are multi-use—ideal for hiking, trail running, or horseback riding.
Beach Access, Tidepooling & Scuba Diving
Gerstle Cove is a sanctuary for free divers and scuba adventurers within the Marine Reserve—brimming with underwater life. Tidepool lovers will delight in the rocky intertidal zones brimming with starfish and sea anemones. For a serene stroll, head to Stump Beach or Fisk Mill Cove, where the ocean meets forested shore.
Camping & Group Camping
Two campgrounds suit various needs. Gerstle Cove offers 30 ocean-adjacent family sites with fire rings, tables, and food lockers. Woodside Campground offers 79 wooded, hike/bike-accessible or RV-friendly sites. Both campgrounds are first-rate for coastal camping. Group camping accommodates gatherings of up to 40 people. Primitive overflow parking for self-contained vehicles is also available.
Picnic Areas & Visitor Center
Picnicking comes with ocean vistas—from Fisk Mill Cove’s now-closed waterside area to Stump Beach’s shaded table locales. The Visitor Center opens seasonally. It offers interpretive exhibits and Junior Ranger programs. Ranger-led nature hikes bring the coast’s natural and cultural history to life.
Fishing & Wildlife Viewing
Surf fishing along the rough coastline can reward anglers with targeting lingcod, greenling, cabezon, and rockfish—outside marine reserve boundaries. Wildlife watchers may spy pelicans, ospreys, coyotes, bobcats, or migrating gray whales from Sentinel Rock or graceful cliffside trails.
Fire Rings, BBQ & Drinking Water
Each campsite includes a fire ring, picnic table, food locker, and access to potable water. Flush toilets are reliable at both main campgrounds—but note: there are no showers or RV dump stations. Fires are permitted only in designated rings.
Interpretive Programs & Volunteering
Seasonal interpretive programs, guided hikes, and Junior Ranger activities educate and inspire. Opportunities to volunteer—such as trail maintenance or habitat restoration—enrich the experience for those looking to give back.
Practical Visitor Tips
- Entry typically carries a modest day-use fee; campsites require reservations March–October—call ahead for walk-in and overflow availability.
- Pack layers—summer fog, ocean breeze, and coastal chill are the norm even on warm days.
- No showers, dump stations, or hookups—prepare for basic, self-reliant camping.
- Pets are generally not allowed in sensitive areas—check boundaries before bringing furry friends.
- Fishing and abalone diving require proper licenses—observe all marine reserve boundaries.
- Stay back from waves and slippery rock formations, especially during high surf.
- Drones are prohibited throughout the park to protect wildlife and visitor experience.
Local insight: Visit Stump Beach on a calm morning in spring. Observe amber waves of surf framed by forest shadows. Pause at Sentinel Rock during gray whale migration. Witness giants passing below against a backdrop of vast sea and sky. Stick around the campground at dusk—campfires glow under a canopy of stars, while rafters of seabirds settle overhead in a coastal lullaby.