Things To Do at Fort Ross State Historic Park
Fort Ross State Historic Park provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities. In addition to its fantastic cultural history, Fort Ross State Historic Park is a a front-row seat to the Pacific ocean promising spectacular vistas. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a map or speak to one of our resident experts.
Visit the Fort Ross Visitor Center and museum, tour the Historic Russian-era Fort Compound and learn about the Ranch era by visiting the Call House Museum,
Visit the Fort Ross cemetery, a 20+ minute walk from the historic compound on an unpaved trail.
Hike to the historic orchard. Take a 30-minute walk up Fort Ross Road to visit the orchard, home of Russian-era fruit trees. While you are there, walk across the San Andreas Fault and look for signs of the 1906 temblor.
Enjoy a picnic. At Fort Ross, ADA-accessible picnic facilities are located near the Visitor Center parking lot. There are more picnic tables next to the historic Call Ranch House to the west, within the fort compound, and at Fort Ross Sandy Cove.
Ocean Access
- Sandy Cove, a protected beach below the fort. The north side of the cove offers tide pooling during low tide.
- Meander along the coastal edge above Fort Ross North Cove.
- Drive one mile north of the park entrance to an unpaved parking area at Windermere Point overlooking the sea lion rocks
- Visit beaches from Reef Campground and Day Use area, two miles south of the park entrance
Please do not disturb or harm the marine life such as the seals, sea lions and intertidal invertebrates
Walk the bluffs and look for marine mammals. Fort Ross is host to harbor seals, Steller Sea Lions, and California Sea Lions. Take a walk north of the parking lot to check out Sea Lion Rocks. Fort Ross Conservancy offers marine mammal monitoring and training, so let us know if you’re interested in volunteering.
Fishing: When in season, visitors with valid fishing licenses can fish for rockfish from the shore and from kayaks. Please see the 2022-2023 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Updates. Abalone fishing is not allowed in this area, to give the abalone a chance to recover.
Surfing: Surf Mystos surf break at Reef Campground
Dive the shipwreck: Certified scuba divers can explore the wreck of the S.S. Pomona, a ship that sank more than 100 years ago and now sits in approximately forty feet of water just off Fort Ross Cove.
Accessibility
The Day Use parking lot, Visitor Center, Fort Ross Interpretive Trail, and the Call House Trail are all accessible. The fort compound has limited accessibility to all buildings. There are accessible restrooms at the visitor center and the fort compound.
Dogs must be on leash and are permitted anywhere you can drive a car (roads, parking lots), inside the limits of any structures (Visitor Center, Fort compound and buildings), picnic areas, and campgrounds. They are not permitted on trails, beaches, beyond the limits of roads, parking areas, campgrounds or picnic areas.
Guides by EveryTrail.com: Overview Walk at Fort Ross State Historic Park
All natural and cultural features in the park are protected.