Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge is a 14-acre natural wildlife refuge that is located on an island that served as former Tolowa indigenous foraging and hunting grounds. Following the arrival of Europeans in North America, the island was claimed by the United States government, but was briefly sold to private owners in the early 20th century for the potential development of mining quarries or visitor attractions.

After the discovery of the Aleutian cackling goose on the island, previously believed to have been extinct, the island was set aside as conservation lands, transferred to the care of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979.

Today, it provides an important habitat for nesting seabirds, including monitored populations of Aleutian cackling geese. Though the refuge is not open to the public as a result of conservation efforts, seabirds can be viewed from the shore at several spots throughout Crescent City.

Crescent City, CA 95531

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Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Stout Grove Howland Hill Road Battery Point Lighthouse Crescent Beach Ocean World Crescent Trail Rides Rumiano Cheese Company Boy Scout Big Tree Trail Del Norte County History Museum Pebble Beach Florence Keller County Park and Campground Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge Six Rivers National Forest Tolowa Dunes State Park Brother Jonathan Cemetery Northcoast Marine Mammal Center Point St. George Beach Elk Valley Casino Redwood Sightseeing Tours SeaQuake Brewing Chart Room Restaurant Port O’Pints Brewing Company Fisherman’s Restaurant

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