Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve

You’ll find little-known Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve adjacent to better-known Salt Point State Park north of Jenner in Sonoma County. A visit to the reserve is guaranteed to include views with rhodies of many varieties and other forest floor species including salal and California Huckleberry. The forest itself is made up of Douglas firs, grand firs, tanoaks, and second growth Redwood trees. Suffice it to say this is a beautiful place and while it is worth seeing any time of year, the rhodie bloom season from mid-April to Mid-June is the highlight.

The best way to see the reserve is to hike one of the trails. Start with a short walk on the Rhododendron Loop and if you have time, hike the Chinese Gulch and Phillips Gulch trails as a loop. Note that all the trails are closed to bikes and pets.

A narrow one-lane road meanders uphill through the park from Highway 1. A little less than a half-mile up there is a parking area with spaces on both sides of the road. Park there. All the trails begin from this parking lot.

Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve is a day-use only park with hours limited to sunrise to sunset. There are no facilities here so you’ll have to go to the state park for restrooms, picnic areas, and camping.

Address

Kruse Ranch Road and Coast Hwy
Jenner, CA 95450

Phone

(707) 847-3221

Website

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