The property is about half old-growth forest of coast redwoods and includes 8 miles (13 km) of wild Pacific coastline.

[1] The park was significantly expanded in 2002 with the 25,000-acre (10,000 ha) Mill Creek Addition.

[3] The park was designated part of the California Coast Ranges International Biosphere Reserve in 1983.

[4] A proposal to close a portion of this park placed it on the list of 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program.

[6] In October 2011 the National Park Service agreed to provisionally take over management of Del Norte Coast Redwoods for one year.