Rim Trail

The Rim Trail is a 2-mile trail stretching from Agate Beach to Palmer's Point within Patrick's Point State Park. Despite its relatively short length, it remains the longest trail within the 640-acre park and the best choice to see most of the park's viewpoints, picnic areas, and coastal access points. Much of the trail winds along the coastal cliffs and through the thick green forests of the park. Many spots along the trail offer a glimpse of the rugged coastline and the vast Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon. This trail can be accessed from several parking areas within the state park. The nearest parking area to the middle of the trail is at Patrick's Point and Wedding Rock. If a shuttle is used, the trip is an easy 2 miles and doesn't require any backtracking. Alternately, you can make a large loop by connecting with other trails and roads in the park in order to truly see everything Patrick's Point State Park has to offer.

Many different destinations sit just a few hundred feet off the Rim Trail. Agate Beach, the park's only sandy ocean access, sits at the northern end of the trail and can be seen from several viewpoints. Four other coastal access points are spread along the Rim Trail but are very rocky, making for great tide pooling locations. Palmer's Point is one such access point, which marks the southern end of the trail. Other rocky ocean access points include Rocky Point, Wedding Rock, and Mussel Rocks. Several great viewpoints can be found nearby this trail as well. These include Patrick's Point, Wedding Rock, and the Rim Trail Overlook. 

Though the park is in redwood country, in the 1800s the area experienced large scale environmental change when the forest was logged and burned to make room for agriculture. Because of this devastation, the primary trees in the area are no longer redwood but instead are Sitka spruce, red alder, Douglas fir, hemlock, and pine. There are even a couple of apple trees overhanging the trail. Upon entering the park, swing by the visitor center and gain some knowledge that will help you identify the trees seen along the Rim Trail.