What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Beaver Trail
This trail is popular with hikers and mountain bikers, and it offers lovely forest views, but it can be somewhat difficult to access.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Park Gulch Trail
Located in Jackson Demonstration State Forest, this nearby trail is a favorite of hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Length: 5.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Last Chance Trail
This shady trail offers gorgeous scenery and chances to spot wildlife. It also connects to other nearby trails.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Gooseberry Trail
This trail is a great option for taking in the area’s scenery, and it also leads to some local fishing areas.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Le Brun Trail
This short trail passes around a lake, offering beautiful views and excellent bird-watching opportunities.
Length: 0.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Many visitors to the area around the Little Darby Nature Trail choose to fish in the nearby Eel River. The river is only a few minutes from the trail, and it provides amazing trout and bass fishing opportunities. Lake Emily, which is also nearby, also provides fantastic trout fishing, and anglers can fish at any time of the year. Experienced divers can also look for abalone at the nearby Russian Gulch State Park.
Climbing
Rock climbing is limited in the area around the Little Darby Nature Trail, but visitors can head to Blues Beach, which offers some bouldering problems.
Wildlife Viewing
The Little Darby Nature Trail is an excellent location for spotting wild animals, but visitors can also head to Mendocino National Forest or the nearby Jackson Demonstration State Forest for more viewing and photography opportunities. Visitors to the area often spot black-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes, porcupines, raccoons, foxes, opossums, skunks, badgers, martens, weasels, and black bears. The area is also home to a range of birds.
Picnicking
Recreation Grove Park in Willits is a wonderful location for a picnic. The park provides picnic tables, restrooms, barbecue grills, a playground, and large grassy areas. The Plaskett Meadows Picnic Area is another good choice. The area offers restrooms and picnic tables and provides gorgeous views of the meadows and the water.