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Fort Ross was a thriving Russian-American Company settlement from 1812 to 1841. This commercial company chartered by Russia's tsarist government controlled all Russian exploration, trade and settlement in the North Pacific, and established permanent settlements in Alaska and California. Fort Ross was the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization of the North American continent, and was established as an agricultural base to supply Alaska. It was the site of California's first windmills and shipbuilding, and Russian scientists were among the first to record California's cultural and natural history. Fort Ross was a successfully functioning multi-cultural settlement for some thirty years. Settlers included Russians, Native Alaskans and Californians, and Creoles (individuals of mixed Russian and native ancestry.)
Along with the chapel, the structure of most historical interest at Fort Ross is the Rotchev house, an existing building renovated in about 1836 for Alexander Rotchev, the last manager of Ross. It is the only surviving structure. Several other buildings have been reconstructed: the first Russian Orthodox chapel south of Alaska, the stockade, and four other buildings called the Kuskov House, The Officials Barracks, and two corner blockhouses.
Park News Alert
Notice
The Abalone fishing / diving season is closed until further notice due to red tide’s impact on the Abalone resource.
Service Reductions
Effective September 6, 2011
Due to service reductions at Fort Ross SHP, the following facilities are closed:
Reef Campground
Reef Day Use
The following facility will be open Saturday/Sunday and holidays:
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Service reductions are subject to change. Please call 707-865-2391 for further information.
Notice
The Abalone fishing / diving season is closed until further notice due to red tide’s impact on the Abalone resource.
Service Reductions
Effective September 6, 2011
Due to service reductions at Fort Ross SHP, the following facilities are closed:
Reef Campground
Reef Day Use
The following facility will be open Saturday/Sunday and holidays:
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Service reductions are subject to change. Please call 707-865-2391 for further information.
Fees
Day-Use:
$8.00 per vehicle; $7.00 per vehicle for seniors
Bus fee for 10-24 passengers is $50.00; Bus fee for 25+ passengers is $100.00
Camping:
Reef campground $25.00 per night includes ONE vehicle
Extra vehicle: $8.00; Extra vehicle with senior: $7.00
Day-Use:
$8.00 per vehicle; $7.00 per vehicle for seniors
Bus fee for 10-24 passengers is $50.00; Bus fee for 25+ passengers is $100.00
Camping:
Reef campground $25.00 per night includes ONE vehicle
Extra vehicle: $8.00; Extra vehicle with senior: $7.00
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The park is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It is open Friday after Thanksgiving and from December 26th to January 1st.
Telephone: 707-847-3286 (General Information); 707-847-4777 (Educational Opportunities); 707-847-3437 (Museum and Bookstore)
The park is open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The park is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It is open Friday after Thanksgiving and from December 26th to January 1st.
Telephone: 707-847-3286 (General Information); 707-847-4777 (Educational Opportunities); 707-847-3437 (Museum and Bookstore)
Camping
Open from April through November, the Reef Campground has 21 primitive campsites in a wind-protected canyon. Tables, stoves, and food lockers are available, with flush toilets and drinking water spigots nearby. No showers are available. Reef Campground is two miles south of Fort Ross on Highway One.
Open from April through November, the Reef Campground has 21 primitive campsites in a wind-protected canyon. Tables, stoves, and food lockers are available, with flush toilets and drinking water spigots nearby. No showers are available. Reef Campground is two miles south of Fort Ross on Highway One.
Activities
Picnicking: Tables are located near the Visitor Center, the Call Ranch House, in the historic compound, and at Sandy Cove beach.
Trails: Pedestrian trails lead to Sandy Cove Beach from the Reef Campground, the fort stockade and from the Russian Cemetery. A marked trail leads from the orchard to the Stanley Spyra Memorial Grove.
Fishing: Abalone and rockfish abound in the coastal waters in season. Anglers aged 16 and over must possess a valid California fishing license. All abalone divers must adhere to current legal limits and carry a current Abalone Report Card.
Diving: Certified scuba divers can explore the wreck of the S.S. Pomona, a ship that sank over 100 years ago off Fort Ross Cove.
Dive and swim at your own risk. Always dive with a buddy and exercise caution in the ocean. Hazardous rip currents and large waves can appear out of nowhere and sweep unsuspecting visitors out to sea. Never turn your back to the waves. No lifeguards are on duty.
Beaches: Sandy Cove and North Cove are two access areas to the beach and tide pools. Sandy Beach is a large sandy beach with plenty of space to roam. Some tide-pooling is available. The North Cove is very rocky and can, at the right time, provide tide pooling. Please be safe and cautious at the ocean
Presentation Information: During the summer months, presentations by Park Interpreters are generally available. Please contact the park at 707-847-3286 for times. During the school year (Sept.-June) presentations are available most weekends and during the week by request only. These presentations are free to the visiting public. School and tour group reservations are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so call as early as you can to insure maximum choice of dates.
Fort Ross Visitor Center and Museum
This is one of the most complete Russian, Alaskan, and Kashaya cultural museums north of San Francisco. The museum gives a good overview of the history of the site and its inhabitants. The bookstore has the largest collection of Russian History in Northern California.
Fort Ross Library
The library has the largest selection of research and reading material for Russian History and local history north of San Francisco. You must be a current member of the Fort Ross Interpretive Association to use the library.
Picnicking: Tables are located near the Visitor Center, the Call Ranch House, in the historic compound, and at Sandy Cove beach.
Trails: Pedestrian trails lead to Sandy Cove Beach from the Reef Campground, the fort stockade and from the Russian Cemetery. A marked trail leads from the orchard to the Stanley Spyra Memorial Grove.
Fishing: Abalone and rockfish abound in the coastal waters in season. Anglers aged 16 and over must possess a valid California fishing license. All abalone divers must adhere to current legal limits and carry a current Abalone Report Card.
Diving: Certified scuba divers can explore the wreck of the S.S. Pomona, a ship that sank over 100 years ago off Fort Ross Cove.
Dive and swim at your own risk. Always dive with a buddy and exercise caution in the ocean. Hazardous rip currents and large waves can appear out of nowhere and sweep unsuspecting visitors out to sea. Never turn your back to the waves. No lifeguards are on duty.
Beaches: Sandy Cove and North Cove are two access areas to the beach and tide pools. Sandy Beach is a large sandy beach with plenty of space to roam. Some tide-pooling is available. The North Cove is very rocky and can, at the right time, provide tide pooling. Please be safe and cautious at the ocean
Presentation Information: During the summer months, presentations by Park Interpreters are generally available. Please contact the park at 707-847-3286 for times. During the school year (Sept.-June) presentations are available most weekends and during the week by request only. These presentations are free to the visiting public. School and tour group reservations are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so call as early as you can to insure maximum choice of dates.
Fort Ross Visitor Center and Museum
This is one of the most complete Russian, Alaskan, and Kashaya cultural museums north of San Francisco. The museum gives a good overview of the history of the site and its inhabitants. The bookstore has the largest collection of Russian History in Northern California.
Fort Ross Library
The library has the largest selection of research and reading material for Russian History and local history north of San Francisco. You must be a current member of the Fort Ross Interpretive Association to use the library.
Tips & Rules
-Stay on designated trails to protect plants, prevent erosion and avoid poison oak.
-Dogs are allowed only in the main parking area and in the campground. They must be on a six-foot leash at all times and remain in a tent or vehicle at night.
-Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park, and fires and glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
-All park natural and cultural resources are protected and must not be disturbed or removed.
-Stay on designated trails to protect plants, prevent erosion and avoid poison oak.
-Dogs are allowed only in the main parking area and in the campground. They must be on a six-foot leash at all times and remain in a tent or vehicle at night.
-Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park, and fires and glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
-All park natural and cultural resources are protected and must not be disturbed or removed.
Accessible Features
The visitor center exhibits are generally accessible and access to the building is usable. First floors of the Kuskov House, the Rotchey House, the barracks and the blockhouses are also usable. Restrooms are generally accessible. Parking is accessible. Routes of travel are usable in dry weather in most areas.
The visitor center exhibits are generally accessible and access to the building is usable. First floors of the Kuskov House, the Rotchey House, the barracks and the blockhouses are also usable. Restrooms are generally accessible. Parking is accessible. Routes of travel are usable in dry weather in most areas.
Getting There
The park is 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway One. From Highway 101 there are two routes to the fort:
From Petaluma
Highway 101. Take the East Washington Street exit. Go west (left). Washington turns into Bodega Avenue, which after a few more name changes, turns into Highway 1 North and takes you to Bodega Bay. This route is a straight shot--much easier to drive than it looks on the map. At Bodega Bay, follow Highway One North.
From Santa Rosa
Highway 101. Go past downtown exits for Santa Rosa. Just north of town, take the River Road exit. Go west (left). River Road will turn into Highway 116 in Guerneville. Follow 116 west, then follow signs to Highway One North towards Jenner and Fort Ross.
From the North
Take Highway 1 from Fort Bragg and go south about two hours drive. We are about 16 miles from Stewart's Point.
The parking lot is just past the entrance station at the Visitors Center. All vehicles must park in the parking lot. To aid those with limited mobility, cars and busses can drive straight through the parking lot and take the dirt road to the fort compound itself, unload passengers, and than drive back to the parking lot to park. Cars can park near the fort compound with a visible handicapped sticker. Buses may not park at the fort compound.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway One. From Highway 101 there are two routes to the fort:
From Petaluma
Highway 101. Take the East Washington Street exit. Go west (left). Washington turns into Bodega Avenue, which after a few more name changes, turns into Highway 1 North and takes you to Bodega Bay. This route is a straight shot--much easier to drive than it looks on the map. At Bodega Bay, follow Highway One North.
From Santa Rosa
Highway 101. Go past downtown exits for Santa Rosa. Just north of town, take the River Road exit. Go west (left). River Road will turn into Highway 116 in Guerneville. Follow 116 west, then follow signs to Highway One North towards Jenner and Fort Ross.
From the North
Take Highway 1 from Fort Bragg and go south about two hours drive. We are about 16 miles from Stewart's Point.
The parking lot is just past the entrance station at the Visitors Center. All vehicles must park in the parking lot. To aid those with limited mobility, cars and busses can drive straight through the parking lot and take the dirt road to the fort compound itself, unload passengers, and than drive back to the parking lot to park. Cars can park near the fort compound with a visible handicapped sticker. Buses may not park at the fort compound.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather on the coast is ever changing: you can expect fog, wind, sun or even rain--sometimes on the same day. It is best to dress in layers. The ground is often wet either from night moisture, fog, or rain, so appropriate shoes are advised.
The weather on the coast is ever changing: you can expect fog, wind, sun or even rain--sometimes on the same day. It is best to dress in layers. The ground is often wet either from night moisture, fog, or rain, so appropriate shoes are advised.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Cemetery Walk - Fort Ross State Historic Park
The Old Russian Cemetery at Fort Ross State Historic Park
The Old Russian Cemetery at Fort Ross State Historic Park
Easy
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
Overview Walk at Fort Ross State Historic Park
The Fort, Sandy Cove, and a walk south to the Reef Campground and Day Use Area
The Fort, Sandy Cove, and a walk south to the Reef Campground and Day Use Area
Easy
4.2 mi/
6.8 km
6.8 km
Guides
The Old Russian Cemetery at Fort Ross State Historic Park
The Fort, Sandy Cove, and a walk south to the Reef Campground and Day Use Area
Nearby Community Trips
Salt Point State Park Circuit via North, Central, and South Trails
Walsh Landing, California, United States
5.0 miles
5.0 miles
