Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Fort Bragg’s beautiful, mountainous backyard, Jackson Demonstration State Forest spans 48,652 acres due east of town. Demonstration forests are managed by CAL FIRE as living laboratories for how to care for California’s timberland. Of the 14 demonstration forests, Jackson is the largest, with a mission to provide research on forest management best practices, along with recreation – from camping, hiking, biking and horseback riding to swimming, mushroom collecting, hunting and picnicking.

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Forest Stats:


Established:

1949


Area:

48,652 acres


Elevation:

80 - 2,200 ft


Temperature:

Max: 100 F
Min: 25 F


NOTABLE TRAILS


Waterfall Grove Trail

0.74 miles of trail
Allowable uses are walking/hiking


Forest History Trail

3.71 miles of trail
Allowable uses are multiple


Camp One Loop

2.31 miles of trail
Allowable uses are walking/hiking


MORE TRAILS

C.V. Starr Center

OUR STORIES

The C.V. Starr
Recreation Center

The C.V. Starr Community Center, located on the Southeast edge of town is a Fort Bragg resource available to locals and visitors alike. Day passes are available for individuals and families, so whether you are looking for some exercise or some play time with the family, the C.V. Starr Center has something for everyone. 

Cornelius Vander Starr was an American businessman born in Fort Bragg in 1892 to a family in the logging industry.  During his successful career in the Insurance industry, he traveled the world and lived in New York, but his birthplace always held a special place in his heart. His success led him to starting The Starr Foundation, which today continues to generously fund the C.V. Starr Community Center, and also provides scholarships to Fort Bragg High School graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic, social, athletic and moral leadership.

Exercise and Swim Center

An olympic-size swimming pool and adjacent shallow kids pool with a waterpark-worthy slide make up the indoor swim center at C.V. Starr. There are locker rooms for changing and showering. Also available: a weight room with stationary bikes and a group exercise room.  An array of classes are offered weekly that include water aerobics, dance, strength training and beginner kayaking skills. See schedule

Check Out The Classes

Local Tip:

 Take a class with C.V. Starr Center favorite, Aimee!  Family day passes are just $33. 

VISIT C.V. Starr Community Center

CA skate park

Located at the back, and accessible from Minnesota Avenue, is the Skate Park. Popular with both the young and older sets, the C.V. Starr skate park is open daily. Entry is free.

life is ruff here

The C.V. Starr Dog Park is as popular with the humans as it is with their dogs. And a regular crowd is there mid-morning most days. Cleverly it is set up with two adjoining options for your dog’s size personality: 1) For Small and Shy dogs, and 2) For Large dogs (or small dogs that think they are big). Entry is free.


Norvell's


Fishing Supplies, paint, equipment rental and and garage doors

Norvell’s offers a wide range of paints, paint supplies, rental equipment, garage doors and fishing supplies. They offer green products to minimize environmental impact. They can make pint size samples in any Benjamin Moore color and have a very helpful staff to help with your paint or garage door project. And, they are a very popular place to shop for fishing supplies!

 

 

 

Norvell's Paint, Garage Doors and Fishing Supplies

662 South Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

707-964-0743

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Hooked On Mendo


Fishing charters, boat rentals and sport fishing trips

Hooked on Mendo offers Salmon, Rock Fish, Halibut & Tuna trips as well as Whale watching off of the Mendocino Coastline. Find them in Noyo Harbor. 

 

Hooked on Mendo Sport Fishing

32390 N. Harbor Drive
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

707-357-1875

EXPLORE

Fort Bragg Skate Park


Fort Bragg Skate Park at C.V. Starr Community Center

Fort Bragg’s only skate park, and a popular hang out for the local kids and skate scene. Supported by and adjacent to the C.V Starr Community Center.  

Fort Bragg Skate Park

Minnesota and Willow Streets
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

 

EXPLORE

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society


The North Coast’s Chapter of the Audubon Society

Offering education, field trips and conservation efforts through its membership organization. Visit the website or follow them on social for loads of good information about the birds of the North Coast. 

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society

P.O. Box 2297
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

 

audubon@mcn.org

EXPLORE

Haul Road Coastal Trail


Hike or bike the Haul Road Coastal Trail

The Haul Road Coastal trail connects the Coastal Trail and MacKerricher State Park to Ten Mile Dunes Preserve. This 6.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.  

 

 

Haul Road Coastal Trail


Fort Bragg, CA 95437

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Fort Bragg Fishing


Service Oriented and Fish Productive

Fort Bragg Fishing has over 15 years of experience taking individuals and groups of all ages and experience levels on successful trips. The Captain and crew pride themselves on making sure every person aboard has a safe fun filled trip.  They offer 2 trips daily from 7am-12pm and 1pm-6pm. We also offer all day trips and private charters.

Fort Bragg Fishing


Fort Bragg, CA 95437

 

707-964-3000

EXPLORE

Anchor Charter Boats


Fishing and Whale Watching Charters

Charter the Ambush or the Kraken for seasonal whale watching or sport fishing trips. Salmon, crab, rockfish and lingcod and albacore are all spoils of the hunt on board an Anchor Charter boat. Visit the website for up to date fishing and weather reports. 

 

Anchor Charter Boats


Fort Bragg, CA 95437

 

707-964-4550

EXPLORE

Fort Bragg Coastal Trail


Hike or bike the Coastal Trail

The Coastal Trail is an 8 foot wide paved trail along the coast of the town of Fort Bragg, stretching North and South. Great for walking and biking and very family friendly. The trailhead and parking lot are located at the west end of Elm Street adjacent to Glass Beach. The trail winds through miles of carefully restored coastal bluffs that were hidden behind fences of the former mill site for a century. Trail is open dawn to dusk.

 

 

Fort Bragg Coastal Trail

Elm Street at Glass Beach
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

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