Del Norte Coast Redwood SP Mill Creek Campground — Mill Creek Northern Loop (sites 75-145)

The park, established in 1929, is 6400 acres with approximately 50% old growth coast redwood and 8 miles of wild coastline. The park is a World Heritage Site Biosphere Preserve. The mixed understory includes tanoak, madrone, red alder, big leaf maple, and California bay. Ground cover is dense with a wide range of species. The campground development is located in an area that was logged in the 1920's. Vegetation is predominately red alder which will eventually give way to fir and second growth redwood. Wildlife is present in all areas. Salmon and steelhead spawn in Mill Creek. Bobcat, coyote, bear, deer, squirrels and chipmunks are most frequently seen. Varied thrush, Stellars jays, hawks, great blue heron and dippers are common birds. The topography is fairly steep with elevations from sea level to 1277'. The predominant mountain range is oriented in a north-south direction with steep cliffs adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, making the bulk of the rocky sea coast generally inaccessible except by Damnation Trail and Footsteps Rock trail. Approximately 1/2 mile of sandy beach is known as Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove. This beach is unsafe for swimming due to steep beach slope, rocky conditions and frequent rough seas and cold water. Wilson Beach provides excellent tidepool opportunities at low tide.