Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Josh Paul

5 months ago

My wife and I camped for 2 nights at Rock Creek campground. While it has potential to be a really cool place, it seems in disrepair in my opinion. I will say the restroom facilities and staff were great though. But on to the negative. Redwood camp, which seems to be the most convenient for distance to recreation and more seclusion, has been closed as there is no longer a bridge to get there, so you're left with the two other camps to the north, Rock Creek and Hickey, which are really close to hwy 101 (our camp was probably 60') and quite the downhill trek to get to the river for some recreation. The sound of Harleys and big rigs kinda dampens the getting away from the traffic experience of camping. Additionally, the trails are in disrepair and require crossing the river to get there. Mill Creek Falls trail, for example, is permanently closed. I hiked up to Standish Tree and back real quick, but could tell the trail was hardly ever used. I will say we made the best of it (the swimming area is 👍), but the traffic noise, and difficulty getting down to the river and the trails made the experience just OK. So if you're looking for seclusion and relaxing recreation, you may wanna look elsewhere. I really hope they get the place up to snuff. I'd love to camp down at Redwood camp and give it another go in the future.

Julian Bishop

3 months ago

Really pretty area with some great trails. The Hickey Campground was definitely loud and the bathrooms/showers were gnarly the whole weekend we were there, so I questioned their overall cleanliness. The park staff were helpful and the knew the area very well, they were really great. The camps were mostly cleaned but we had to empty some of the ash from the fire pit as it was almost halfway full in the metal ring. The parks campgrounds and facilities just felt dirty, but the trails were beautiful and clean. You can hear cars zooming by on 101 all day and night which is pretty obnoxious. Get a site away from the road, bring extra toilet paper, and wear shower sandals!

Jess Monster

3 months ago

Great place to camp on the side of HWY 101 and really experience what it’s like to be a freeway homeless encampment! You too can be lulled to sleep by the assaulting sound of big rigs that may or may not veer off the road and into your camp. Be a nice meal for mosquitos and enjoy the music choices of your neighbors. Bathrooms are nice and there are ample trash receptacles… 0/10 do not recommend

Brendan Kiely

a year ago

The Standish-Hickley State Recreation Area is a nice place to spend a half or full day at. There is a nice river to relax at with a swimming pool and some hiking trails. Not overly busy and just relaxing.

Thomas Goeson