Stillwater Cove Regional Park is on the northern Sonoma Coast, north of Jenner near the mouth of Stockhoff Creek. Sonoma County Regional Parks describes a crescent of beach, a small campground, and trails through redwood forest and along the ocean bluffs. The county says it is popular for tide-pooling, picnicking, fishing, diving and ocean kayaking. Wikipedia notes it is a favorite with abalone divers and that it has a launch area for small boats.

Wikipedia also says the park was one of the filming locations for the 1947 20th Century Fox film The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

Trails

The county says the park has more than 3 miles of trails:

  • The Cove Trail leads 0.3 miles from the day-use lot to the beach. You have to cross Highway 1 on foot to get there.
  • The Canyon Trail loops along Stockhoff Creek, which supports coho salmon and steelhead, through redwoods, ferns and rhododendrons. The county notes plants found only on the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts, including swamp harebell and fringed corn lily. A Canyon and Stockhoff round trip from the lot is 2.6 miles.
  • Stillwater Bluff Trail, just north of the cove along Highway 1, follows the rocky coastline.

The Fort Ross Schoolhouse

A short spur off the Canyon Trail leads to the one-room Fort Ross Schoolhouse. The county says it was built at Fort Ross in 1885 and moved to the park in 1974 to preserve it. Visitors can see its period furnishings through the windows. The Fort Ross State Historic Park is a short drive up the coast, as is Salt Point State Park.

Camping and current notices

The inland campground has 23 sites open year-round, and reservations are required up to six months ahead. RVs can be up to 31 feet long, and a few sites have electrical hookups. The county has posted a boil-water notice for the campground because its well water tested positive for E. coli. Bring bottled water or boil campground water for one minute before drinking or cooking with it. Black bears have been seen in and near the park.

Day use runs from 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking is $8 or free for members, and leashed dogs are allowed.