Category Archives: State Parks

California, State Parks

California State Parks Provides Tips on New Reservation System

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

ReserveCalifornia Goes Live August 1!

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks is offering the public tips on how to access the Golden State’s new reservation system – ReserveCalifornia™. Starting next Tuesday, August 1, visitors to California’s state parks will have a new platform for booking camping and lodging sites, and tours. Using the new system will be easy to plan adventures within state parks, since it is similar to booking hotels, airline tickets and other comparable services.

Supporting state park field operations and enhancing the experience of visitors with a modern platform was key for transitioning to a new reservation system. The outdoor public spaces and recreational programs supported by California State Parks are a gateway to connecting with families, friends and communities. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on and off-road cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 state park units organized into 22 field districts.

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Conservation, News, State Parks

California State Parks Seeks Public Input on a Road and Trail Management Plan for Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Weott, Calif. — California State Parks will hold an open house meeting to solicit comments on a draft road and trail management plan (RTMP) for Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The RTMP describes the existing roads and trails of the state park and provides specific direction for management and operations in the future. The goal of the plan is to enhance recreational trail opportunities, while protecting the park’s cultural and natural resources.
The open house meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the River Lodge Conference Center located at 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna. The draft plan can be viewed online at www.parks.ca.gov/HRSP-RTMP or be reviewed in person at the following locations:

  • North Coast Redwoods District Headquarters, 3431 Fort Ave, Eureka
  • Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott
  • California State Parks Facility Management Division, 704 O Street, Sacramento
  • Humboldt County Library Branches:

Eureka Main Library, 1313 3rd Street, Eureka

Arcata Library, 500 7th Street, Arcata

Fortuna Library, 753 14th Street, Fortuna

Garberville Library, 715 Cedar Street, Garberville

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Interesting Places, News, State Parks

Thousands Visit California State Parks for Wildflower Season

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Visitors Reminded to Plan and Be Prepared for the Outdoors

California State Parks News Release, Borrego Springs – California Department of Parks and Recreation encourages visitors exploring state parks during the wildflower season to properly plan and prepare for their trips. Thanks to this year’s rain, many state parks are experiencing wildflower blooms.

This is especially the case at the 650,000 acre Anza-Borrego (Anza-Borrego) Desert State Park which is experiencing the most dramatic bloom in nearly 20 years. With the flowers, come the large crowds. Knowledge of the area, weather, limitations of your body and enjoying the outdoors safely with everyone can help to ensure an enjoyable trip.

Below is some helpful information for wildflower enthusiasts:

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News, State Parks

New Reservation System Coming to California State Parks This Summer

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California State Parks News Release, Sacramento, CA — Starting this August, Californians will make their state parks camping and tour reservations through a new, faster, easier to use reservation system that features more open access to data.

ReserveCalifornia will go live for all parks on August 1. A variety of features will be phased in between then and March 1, 2018. Below is a breakdown of the features:

Starting August 1, the new reservation system will provide more user-friendly and intuitive web services, including:

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State Parks

Incredible Camping Opportunities: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Recently, David Miller posted on the REI posted about seven U.S. state parks that offer up some great camping opportunities (see article: “7 U.S. STATE PARKS WITH INCREDIBLE CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES“). One of the parks mentioned was California’s own Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

David wrote that  “Camping in a redwood forest is mystical. Tucked within a massive canopy of redwood, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and grand and Douglas fir, and with a soft layer of duff covering the forest floor, there’s a sense of quiet and peace here. Sounds are dampened. Jedediah Smith is an entrancing place to camp: just imagine looking up through the huge branches and the understory of madrone and bigleaf maple, strolling through the giants in the Stout Grove, and wading in the crystal clear Smith River, the last major undammed river in California.”

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