Park Information

The Lake Earl area offers an array of opportunities for the nature enthusiast. Hundreds of species of birds including the rare Canada Aleutian goose and the Peregrine falcon can be seen in the forests and wetlands. Deer, coyote and raccoons may be spotted along the many miles of trails that traverse the park.

Great displays of wildflowers can bee seen in the spring and early summer. Marine mammals such as sea lions and harbor seals can be spotted along the coast; gray whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California. Salmon and steelhead are seasonal in the Smith River, cutthroat trout and Starry flounder are in Lakes Earl and Tolowa, and bass and crappie are in Dead Lake.

The Tolowa people were the most recent Native Americans to occupy the area. The natural resources of the area were very important aspect of the Tolowa’s economic and political way of life.

Seasons & Climate

Summer days range from the 60's to 70's (degrees fahrenheit). Nights are in the 40's. Winter days range from the 40's to 60s (degrees fahrenheigt). Nights are in the 30's. Rainfall average is about 60" to 80" per year, falling mostly between November and May.

Additional Resources

Tolowa Dunes State Park Potential Reclassification

Neaby Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Castle Rock Special Closure and Southwest Seal Rock Special Closure

Like state and national parks protect wildlife and habitats on land, marine protected areas (MPAs) conserve and restore wildlife and habitats in our ocean. Under the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) passed in 1999, California began a historic effort to establish a science-based, statewide network of MPAs through a collaborative effort that includes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California State Parks. California is taking a regional approach to the design and implementation of MPAs, and has divided the state into five regions: the north coast, south coast, north central coast, central coast and San Francisco Bay.

MPAs contribute to healthier, more resilient ocean ecosystems that can better withstand a wide range of impacts such as pollution and climate change. By protecting entire ecosystems rather than focusing on a single species, MPAs are powerful tools for conserving and restoring ocean biodiversity, and protecting cultural resources, while allowing certain activities such as marine recreation and research. There is a global body of scientific evidence about the effectiveness of marine protected areas and reserves to restore marine ecosystems (http://www.piscoweb.org).

In the waters near Tolowa Dunes State Park, there are two Special Closures, Castle Rock Special Closure and Southwest Seal Rock Special Closure. Special Closures are areas designated by the Fish and Game Commission that prohibit access or restrict boating activities in waters adjacent to sea bird rookeries or marine mammal haul-out sites (restrictions vary).

  • Castle Rock Special Closure
    • From the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Castle Rock, located in the vicinity of 41° 45.706' N. lat. 124° 14.949' W. long.
    • The Castle Rock Special Closure protects bird colonies and pinnipeds inhabiting the largest and most structurally diverse nearshore island in California (Jacques, 2007). Eleven species of birds breed on the 14-acre Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), including 3 special status species. The island is alos a primary staging area for the fully recovered Aleutian Canada Goose. Two of the 4 pinniped species known to regularly inhabit Castle Rock NWR also breed on the island.
    • Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.
    • Other Regulations:
      • Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Castle Rock.
      • No person shall enter the area, except for agencies identified in Title 14 Section 632 CCR, when performing their official duties.
  • Southwest Seal Rock Special Closure
    • From the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Southwest Seal Rock, located in the vicinity of 41° 48.810' N. lat. 124° 21.099' W. long.
    • Southwest Seal Rock Special Closure protects an important Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) breeding and haul-out site from vessel disturbances. Steller sea lions are listed as Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act and are also a California Species of Special Concern.
    • Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.
    • Other Regulations:
      • Except as permitted by federal law or emergency caused by hazardous weather, no vessel shall be operated or anchored at any time from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Southwest Seal Rock.
      • No person shall enter the area, except for agencies identified in Title 14 Section 632 CCR, when performing their official duties.

This information does not replace the official regulatory language found in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 632, including commercial allowances and restrictions.

  • A fishing license is required for any fishing.
  • All existing take regulations still apply in addition to the ones listed above.
  • Unless otherwise stated, all non-consumptive recreational activities are allowed.

Additional Resources:

For additional information on MPAs please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/MPAs

For resources related to MPAs, please visit the Marine Protected Areas Education and Outreach Initiative’s website: http://www.californiampas.org/