Sam McDonald Park

Chris Peterson _{on Google}

Jan 31st, 2024

Make sure to bring $6 cash for parking. There's no ranger to make change or take credit cards.

Grace Lee _{on Google}

Jan 10th, 2024

***Bring $6 cash to pay with the envelope provided if ranger's away. Clean restrooms nearby, and ample parking.
This spot is a hidden gem for mushroom lovers! Spent 2.5 hours on a quiet Saturday afternoon after a good rain, checking out all kinds of mushrooms as we could (collection in pics) along the loop trailthe Forrest trail, part of Old Stage Road, Uncle Main Road and Youth Camp trail. We bumped into no one along the way. Some spots were a bit slippery, but take it slow, and youll be totally fine. The trail's mostly soft pine needle paths, making it easy to walk. We will be back surely!

Angel Hou _{on Google}

Jan 30th, 2024

I saw more than a dozen kinds of mushrooms in Sam McDonald Park, as well as countless banana slugs and lizards. It was quite enjoyable for us who had never experienced it before.
road conditions
The overall mountain road is quite spacious and easy to navigate, Watch out for people riding on the roadside
parking
Navigate to Sam McDonald Park Parking Lot, which can accommodate more than a dozen vehicles. Even on the weekend, judging from today's situation, there is a spot availability . The parking fee is $6, cash only, and there is a box like a mailbox at the door of the administrator's office. Just put money in the box
bathroom
Next to the administrator's office is the bathroom, which is separated for men and women and is very clean. The key is that in addition to hand sanitizer, there are plenty of paper towels, and you can also wash your hands with hot water.
Signal
There is signal in the parking lot. The trail I chose today only has signal in the area near the intersection of Uncle Man rd and Old Stage.
the mushroom path
Forest trail-youth camp trail-uncle man rd-old stage rd-forest trail, the mushrooms are mostly concentrated in the first half (forest trail to uncle man rd), there are almost no more mushrooms in the second half path of the trail. The whole journey is .It's a idea place to hike in summer. You can still see several houses by the river at the end of uncle man rd.
I guess you can find mushrooms in any state park or national park after the rain. Wear comfortable shoes and pay attention to slippery areas (most of the path surface is covered with pine branches and fallen leaves). A very interesting experience, definitely recommended!