This area can be a bit confusing, as it may be referred to as Ten Mile Beach, MacKerricher Beach, Fort Bragg Dunes, as well as MacKerricher State Park, and all would mostly be true. Ten Mile Beach is the lengthy beach that spans ten miles along the coastline, while the Inglenook Fen–Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve is next to the beach and spans the same distance. And both reside within MacKerricher State Park.

The Inglenook Fen–Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve, located within MacKerricher State Park along California’s Mendocino Coast, is a rare and ecologically significant landscape. Spanning over 1,300 acres, it encompasses one of the state’s most pristine coastal dune systems and the only known coastal fen in California—a unique peat-forming wetland that develops over millennia from groundwater seepage . This diverse environment supports a variety of rare and endangered plant species, including Howell’s spineflower, Menzies’ wallflower, and pink sand verbena, as well as providing critical habitat for the threatened Western snowy plover .

The preserve’s expansive dunes, some reaching up to 130 feet in height, stretch inland from Ten Mile Beach, offering a dynamic landscape shaped by wind and time . While the area offers opportunities for hiking and nature observation, access is intentionally limited to protect its sensitive habitats. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails and avoid disturbing the delicate ecosystems. Dogs are not permitted within the preserve to safeguard nesting shorebirds and other wildlife . This protected area exemplifies California’s commitment to conserving its unique coastal environments for future generations.

See MacKerricher Haul Road Trail on our map for trail info.

Parking: You will find a small official parking lot with a trailhead on the coastal side of Hwy 1 just south of the Ten Mile River Bridge (GPS 39.54501° N, 123.76069° W). There is also a larger pullout area where you can park just south of this parking lot if it is full (GPS 39.54138° N, 123.75700° W).

Disclaimer: Access to the dunes from the parking areas, is pretty overgrown. So plan on having to hunch through some overgrown bushes.

Pet-friendly: No, pets are not permitted.

Soft adventure: Yes, absolutely! A choose your own adventure!

Fees: Free