Azalea State Natural Reserve

{{Short description|Nature reserve in California}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Azalea State Natural Reserve

| iucn_category = V

| iucn_ref = {{Cite web|title=Protected Planet {{!}} Azalea State|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/371969|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Protected Planet}}

| photo = Rhododendron occidentale 4738.JPG

| photo_caption = Western Azalea

| map = USA California#USA

| relief = 1

| location = 809 Azalea Ave, McKinleyville, Humboldt County, California, United States

| nearest_city = Arcata, California

| coordinates = {{coord|40|55|6|N|124|4|48|W|region:US-CA|display=inline, title}}

| area_acre = 30

| established = 1943

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body = California Department of Parks and Recreation

}}

Azalea State Natural Reserve is a state nature reserve of California, United States, located in McKinleyville, an unincorporated area of Humboldt County. This area is just north of the college town of Arcata and slightly above the Mad River not far from where it enters the Pacific Ocean. The reserve is dedicated to the preservation of the western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), whose pink and white flowers bloom in profusion each April and May.{{cite web | title = Azalea SNR | url = http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=420 | publisher = California State Parks | access-date = 2011-09-30}} It has a short self-guided nature trail with emphasis on plants of the north coast region. There is a picnic area available. The {{convert|30|acre|ha|adj=on}} property was acquired by the state in 1943.{{cite journal | title = California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10 | url = http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/09-10%20statistical%20report%20final%20online.pdf | publisher = California State Parks | page = 26 | access-date = 2011-09-24}}

Other adjacent visitor attractions include Trinidad State Beach, Sue-meg State Park, and Fort Humboldt State Historic Park.