About Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1979. Located about half a mile offshore from Crescent City, California, and rising 335 feet above sea level, 14 acre Castle Rock is unique among the more than 1,000 offshore rocks and islands in the state in that it has so many types of habitat on one large island within an extremely productive region of the Pacific Ocean. Habitat features include relatively deep topsoil, vegetated terraces, sheer rock cliffs, talus slopes, a tiny beach of pebbles, and reef habitat. The cliffs provide nesting habitat for one of the largest breeding populations (100,000) of common murre on the Pacific coast. Ten other species of seabirds also nest here, including three species of cormorants, pigeon guillemots, Cassin’s and rhinoceros auklets, Leach’s and fork-tailed storm-petrels, and tufted puffins. Because many of these bird species nest in burrows and crevices and are primarily nocturnal, they avoid predation by western gulls that also nest on the island. Castle Rock also serves as an important haul out (resting site) for marine mammals, including harbor seals, northern elephant seals (both bear pups there), and California and Steller sea lions.
How to Get There
The refuge is closed to the public. You can view it from North Pebble Beach Drive in Crescent City.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3934) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is closed to the public. You can view it from North Pebble Beach Drive in Crescent City.
How do I contact Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: (707) 733-5406 or email: humboltbay@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
