| Visitation: 13,000 | ||
| Area: 400 Acres | ||
| Lat: 40.288848 | ||
| Lon: 124.355675 | ||
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Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
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| Mattole Recreation Area - Site # 131 | |||
| Salmon and steelhead spawn in the Mattole River, drawing wintering ospreys and bald eagles | |||
 | Regional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species. | ||
| Background: | The undisturbed beach, tidepools, dunes, and estuary of the Mattole River mark the north end to the King Range National Conservation Area. Salmon and steelhead spawn in the river, drawing wintering ospreys and bald eagles. The lush riverside vegetation is a year-round home to Bewick's wrens, marsh wrens, and wrentits and a summer home for many warblers, finches, and other songbirds. Great blue herons roost on the north side of the estuary. Semipalmated plovers, black turnstones, killdeer, and other shorebirds inhabit the estuary shallows. Deeper water attracts common loons, red-breasted mergansers, western grebes, and other diving ducks from fall to early spring. As the seasons chage, red-necked phalaropes, red pahlaropes, honed grebes, and surf scoters fish beyond the surf. | ||
| There is a fenced archaeological site 250 yards from the campground with interpretive panels. | |||
| The Habitat: | Beach, dunes, riparian habitat (alder dominated) along the Mattole River, steep grassy side slopes interspersed with stunted firs. | ||
| The Experience: | Diversity of habitat, merging of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, tidepools nearby, abundance of wildlife and wildlife signs, high drama and rugged beauty of undeveloped portion of Pacific Ocean. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Watch for harbor seals and sea lions at the river mouth or walk north on the beach 0.75 mile to see sea lions hauled out on the offshore rock. During December and January look seaward for spouting California gray whales. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Excellent year-round viewing. During winter please remain several hundred yards away so birds can rest. | ||
| Site Notes: | The beauty and power of water - both the ocean and the Mattole river. The rich merging of marine and terrestrial wildlife. | ||
| Festivals & Events: | May Day festival and field trips - local schools | ||
| Visitor Information: | Garberville Redway Area Chamber of Commerce - 800-923-2613 - http://garberville.org | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | No | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | 24 hours | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Gravel. | ||
| Road Hazards: No - accessible year round. Due to winding roads, not recommended for long trailers or motorhomes. | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 20 | |||
| Parking Fee: No | |||
| Proximity to viewing area:200 yards | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes | |||
| Parking Notes: | |||
| How to Get There: | From Garberville, take Highway 101 north about 25 miles. Take the Honeydew exit, turn left on Bull Creek (Mattole) Road and drive 22 miles. At Honeydew turn west (toward Petrolia) and drive 13.5 miles. Before crossing the river, turn west on Lighthouse Road. Proceed 5 miles to parking area. From Ferndale, take Petrolia Road 30 mles to Petrolia. Go 0.75 mile past Petrolia, crossing the river, and turn west onto Lighthouse Road. Continue 5 miles to parking area. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | Bureau of Land Management | ||
| Agency Site URL: | http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata.html | ||
| Physical Address: | End of Lighthouse Road Shelter Cove, CA 95589 |
Agency 2: | P.O. Drawer 189 Whitehorn, CA 95589 |
| Manager Phone: | (707) 986-5402 | Contact Us: | by Email |
| Site Phone: | (707) 986-5400 | ||
| County: | Humboldt | ||
| Addition Website: | |||