Explore the Radiance of Russian Gulch Waterfall

Gorgeous greenery, breathtaking views, and a fairytale waterfall!

Last updated: Jan 2024

$8 State Park Fee

Description

Grab your hiking shoes and prepare to explore the gorgeous Russian Gulch Waterfall Loop Trail in NorCal. This 3.8 mile loop trail is the perfect addition to any day. Be greeted by the beautiful fern walls and redwood forests that await you in this oasis of greenery. The wide open space heeds true to the peaceful surroundings that this trail has to offer. Wild mushrooms, beautiful flowers, and towering trees are just the beginning of what makes up these incredible views. Climb over the wooden bridge that leads to the breathtaking and magical waterfall; a true visual representation of earth and water colliding.

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

TikTok videos

Itinerary

Get your hiking shoes ready for an adventure
Pull out your map and head along the trail
Admire the beautiful redwoods around you
Listen to the peaceful sounds of nature
Be entranced by the magical waterfall amongst the trees and greenery
Take pictures to documents nature's gift
Congratulations on a hike well done!

Location

State Rt 1 Mendocino, CA 95460

Show directions

Packing List

map
backpack
hiking shoes
water
snacks
sunscreen
first aid kit

4.8 ● Google reviews

Phantastic Travel

2 months ago

Beautiful park. Very spacious and lots of places to explore. We did the fern canyon trail and took us about 2.5 hours. Good amount of animals to see and quite peaceful. The trail was fairly challenging on some parts of the trail where you have to climb steep stairs or gravel paths. Path fairly maintained and roomy. We got lost because the sign post in the middle of the trail showed to go left while the trail supposed to go straight. One other person had the same issue and shared with us but we couldn’t understand until we learned that the path was not right and looped back. Lots of banana slugs and millipedes. Some blue jays and other birds as well. Lots of flowers and interesting plants when we were there late May. There is a nice campground there too. There is a flushed restroom in the campground area. We didn’t explore the devil’s blow hole so maybe next time. Overall a fun trip to Russian gulch.
kat

2 months ago

11/10 super pretty even when it was foggy. Great weather still in early June. The camp sites are really great, clean. I think most if not each little camp site has a little stream running through and that really completes the vibe. The shower is nice the bathroom has plumbing and it’s clean. Would definitely come back again.
Karen Zachary

5 months ago

Did the waterfall hike. Most of the path was extremely walkable, like paved or packed earth. The area was mossy and lush. There are several spots arms the waterfall where people can hang out. This is one of the best hikes I’ve ever done. :)
Jan Robison

4 months ago

We walked the Headlands trail and had a picnic too. Such a beautiful trail!! We even encountered a family of deer. ❤️If you're in the area, don't miss it!
G.

5 months ago

Russian Gulch State Park is absolutely beautiful. We went down to the beach under the bridge and the view was gorgeous. The dramatic cliffs, the bridge overhead, and the sound of the waves made it such a memorable spot. It’s a great place to walk around, explore, and just take in the scenery. If you’re visiting the Mendocino area, this stop is definitely worth it.