Russ Park

You can surround yourself in the solitude of a closed canopy forest with a nature hike in Russ Park, Ferndale's bird sanctuary. Russ Park is a 105-acre preserve located at the southern edge of Ferndale, with several miles of excellent trails that lead to Zipporah pond and views overlooking the Eel Valley. Trail guide signboard at parking lot on Bluff Street. Located within easy walking distance of Main Street.    There are four trails through the park:
Lytel Ridge - Eucalyptus Trail 1.5 miles 1 hour 350 ft.
Francis Creek - Daddy Bush Trail 1 mile 45 mins. 450 ft.
Village Trail to Zipporah's Pond 1 mile 35 mins. 500 ft.
Skunk Cabbage Exit Trail 1/5 mile 10 mins. 100ft.   Despite its location in Ferndale, between California's Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the Redwood National Forest, Russ Park is a mature Sitka Spruce forest, which is more rare than Redwoods. Sitka spruce - grand fir forest dominates much of the park, with Douglas fir on south facing slopes and red alder on ravine slopes. A few redwoods were planted about 1930. Zipporah's pond, on an upper ridge, was excavated; it usually holds water except in late summer.   Park is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no facilities in the park.   Directions:  Turn left at the south end of Main Street onto Ocean Street go 3/4 mile to the gravel parking area on the right where Ocean turns into Bluff Street.