Paddling on the Big River is a must for
anyone who loves paddling in nature’s
beauty. Big River’s tidal estuary connects
to Mendocino Bay. The 8.3-mile long Big
River Estuary is a water passage where the
river meets the ocean, allowing the tide to
meet the river current. Being tidal, Big
River’s lower 4-miles provides a delightful
flat water paddling adventure.
The river opens up onto a beautiful ocean
beach, which at low tide you can hike out to
and explore caves. Walking the beaches and
tide pools is a great way to spend an
afternoon. And the sunsets, of course, will
be breathtaking. Paddling out to the bay can
be very tricky, with strong currents,
narrow, shallow opening, and incoming waves.
The Big River empties into the Pacific Ocean
and provides quite an astonishing contrast
to the nearby coast. Here, time slows down,
and the forest atmosphere prevails.
Nearby Mendocino Headlands State Park, with
its unique blend of peaceful trails, rugged
coastline, and secluded beaches, features
miles of hiking and biking trails that wind
along the cliffs, giving outdoor enthusiasts
spectacular views of sea arches and towering
redwood forests. Nature has found the
perfect protected spot for these magnificent
trees to flourish.
Paddling the Big River will provide a
memorable experience. Whether you visit in
the spring to see the wildflowers bloom, or
paddle on a crisp fall day, paddling Big River’s
tranquil waters rejuvenates the powers of
solitude and nature. It’s that magical
moment in the
deep woods when the morning
sun first cuts through the thick underbrush
to cover the landscape with its warm rays.
It’s rare when you can truly get away from
it all, yet be so close to Mendocino.
