Day Use Information

Interested in hanging out at the ocean for the day? The Salt Point Trail and Grace Rock Trail offer great chances to take in the views, while Stump Beach is the perfect (and only) sandy beach nestled in the Salt Point coastline. Across the street, you can hike up into the hills of Woodside, visiting the Pygmy Forest, hill-top Prairie, and earthquake sag ponds between the Plantation and Prairie Trails. During May, you can experience the peak of the Pacific Coast Rhododendrons at the Kruse Rhododendron Natural Reserve.

Picnicking areas include Gerstle Cove, the South Gerstle area, Woodside Hike and Bike, and Stump Beach parking lot. NO PICKNICKING ALLOWED IN CAMPSITES! You will be cited or expected to pay the camping fee of $35.00 if found picnicking in campsites instead of designated day use areas.

Mountain biking on multi-use trails is available from May 1st to October 31st.

Equestrian trails are included in our multi-use trails.

Dogs are permitted on any paved areas and only trails from the campground to the beach, unless posted otherwise; they are not allowed on the hiking trails or beach areas. Please refer to Regional Park areas that allow dogs on trails and beaches.

Off-roading is strictly prohibited.

Fisk Mill Day Use is CLOSED - No Restrooms / No Parking.

Along the Grace Rock trail.

Fishing and Diving:

*Please note, the Gerstle Cove Boat Launch is currently closed*

The park includes one of the first underwater areas in California, Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve, where marine life is completely protected. The cove affords shelter for the hand launching of small boats and divers come to the cove to explore the wonders of the undersea world. Fishing is permitted throughout the area with a valid fishing license, between the day-use parking lot of Fisk Mill, and the southernmost end of South Gerstle Point. The reserve is a finfish- only conservation area, and the Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve is a No-Take zone, where fishing is prohibited.

Marine life can be experienced on land during low tide in the rocky, intertidal zone through tide pool exploration. When exploring these areas, remember that many of these organisms can be damaged or destroyed by even the simple act of turning over a rock and exposing the animals to the sun. Be careful to stay back from the waves' reach, since rocks can be slippery, and the ocean surf is rough.