Brother Jonathan Park
Rate this placeNearby: Bayview Park Tolowa Dunes State Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Brother Jonathan Park is a popular tourist destination located on the northern coast of California, between Crescent City and the Oregon border.
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Summary
The park is named after a steamship that wrecked off the coast in 1865, and is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich history.
There are several good reasons to visit Brother Jonathan Park, including its scenic coastal vistas, pristine beaches, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. Visitors can hike through old-growth forests, explore hidden coves, and view migrating gray whales during the winter months.
One of the main points of interest in Brother Jonathan Park is the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1866 and is now a designated National Historic Landmark. The lighthouse can be viewed from several vantage points along the coast, and visitors can also take boat tours to see the structure up close.
Other notable attractions in the area include the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, the Trees of Mystery in Klamath, and the Redwood National and State Parks, which are located just a short drive south of the park.
Interesting facts about Brother Jonathan Park include its role as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including Jurassic Park 2 and The Lost World. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, bald eagles, and Roosevelt elk.
The best time of year to visit Brother Jonathan Park depends on visitors' interests and preferences. In general, summer and early fall are the most popular seasons for outdoor activities and beach-going, while spring and winter offer more opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking through the area's lush forests. Regardless of when visitors choose to visit, they are sure to be enchanted by the natural beauty and rich history of this unique California landmark.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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