County
Arcata Area
LITTLE RIVER STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. 101 at Crannell Rd. exit, 8.5 mi. N. of Arcata. Very wide beach and extensive dunes between Moonstone County Park and Clam Beach County Park; paths start at the frontage road. Call: 707-677-3570.
CLAM BEACH COUNTY PARK: W. of Hwy. 101, 7.5 mi. N. of Arcata. Day use and camping, with tent and RV sites. Camp host available; no reservations taken. Fee for camping. Observe seasonal restrictions on dogs due to western snowy plover habitat. Call: 707-445-7651.
▪ Fishing
▪ Clamming
▪ Horseback riding
MCKINLEYVILLE VISTA POINT: Hwy. 101, 6.5 mi. S. of Trinidad, southbound only. Panoramic views of Clam Beach and the Mad River mouth.
MAD RIVER BLUFFS PARK: End of Hitter Rd., W. ofHwy. 101. Trails through pine forest, with scenic overlooks. Short trail to bluff from end of Hiller Rd. is wheelchair accessible. There is no access to Hiller Rd. from Hwy. 101; instead, approach from Central Avenue.
HAMMOND TRAIL: W. of Hwy. 101, from Clam Beach to the Mad River, McKinleyville. More than five miles of multi-use trail, mostly separate from roads. Park at the north end of Letz Ave., at the end of Murray Rd., or at the old railroad bridge off Mad River Rd.; restrooms and additional parking are at Hiller Park on Hiller Road.
▪ Horseback riding
▪ Much of the trail is wheelchair accessible, although a few segments are steep
MAD RIVER BEACH COUNTY PARK: End of Mad River Rd., W. of Hwy. 101. Two separate parking lots; one has picnic tables, a boat ramp with access to the Mad River, and non-wheelchair-accessible restrooms. The other parking area is next to the sandy ocean beach. Call: 707-445-7651.
ARCATA MARSH AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: 569 South G St., Arcata. There are extensive marshes, sloughs, and five miles of hiking and bicycling trails. The visitor center is open Tues.–Sun., 9 AM–5 PM, and Mon., 1–5 PM; closed major holidays. Call: 707-826-2359.
▪ Marsh tours start at the visitor center every Sat., 2 PM
▪ Guided birding walks start at the south end of I St., Sat, 8:30 AM
▪ Nearby concrete boat ramp at the south end of I St.; the bay is very shallow and boat access is available only at tides higher than +3.0 ft. above mean lower low water
EUREKA KOA: 4050 N. Hwy. 101, 2 mi. S. of Arcata. Privately operated campground offers RV campsites (many with hookups), tent sites, and cabins (pets allowed). Swimming pool, hot tub, volleyball, snack bar, and bicycle rentals. Call: 707-822-4243.
Humboldt County
North Spit Humboldt Bay
MA-LE’L DUNES NORTH: Young Ln. off Hwy. 255, Manila. Take right fork off Young Ln. to parking area. Picnic area; trails along a saltmarsh and through dunes to the ocean. Trails open daily, one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset; road open Friday–Monday Wheelchair users may need assistance. Dogs, horses, and off-highway vehicle use not allowed. Cooperatively managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management; call: 707-733-5406 or 707-825-2300. The Lanphere Dunes, farther north, are open to public access only through special permit or guided walks; call: 707-444-1397.
Keep in Mind
Guided nature walks take place at several locations on Humboldt Bay’s North Spit; see calendar at www.friendsofthedunes.org or call: 707-444-1397.
MA-LE’L DUNES SOUTH: Young Ln. off Hwy. 255, Manila. Take left fork of Young Ln. to parking area. Wheelchair users may need assistance. Trails open one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Call: 707-733-5406 or 707-825-2300.
▪ Equestrian trails and horse trailer parking
HUMBOLDT COASTAL NATURE CENTER: Stamps Ln. off Hwy. 255, Manila. Trails open during daylight hours; interpretive center open Sat., 10 AM–4 PM, and other days as staff are available. Call: 707-444-1397.
MANILA COMMUNITY PARK: N. end of Victor Blvd., Manila. Neighborhood park; bay access.
MANILA DUNES RECREATION AREA: 1611 Peninsula Dr., W. of Hwy. 255, Manila. Loose sand trails to the beach are located next to the Manila Community Center.
▪ Dogs allowed under voice control
▪ Equestrian trails
HUMBOLDT BAY MARITIME MUSEUM: Adjacent to Samoa Cookhouse, Cookhouse Rd., Samoa. Nautical models, photos, and other materials related to maritime history. Open Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., 11 AM–4 PM; call: 707-444-9440.
▪ Bay cruises on the Madaket; call: 707-445-1910
ACCESSWAYS TO OCEAN BEACH: New Navy Base Rd., S. of Hwy. 255 intersection. Pedestrian beach access at Samoa Beach, the U.S.S. Milwaukee Marker, and the “T” intersection opposite Bay Street. Vehicles not allowed on this part of the beach.
SAMOA DUNES RECREATION AREA: S. end of New Navy Base Rd., North Spit. Trails for off-road vehicles and motorcycles; picnic tables and fire rings. No water available. Open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Call: 707-825-2300. Beach access by trail only to Eureka Dunes Protected Area, north of Samoa Dunes Recreation Area.
▪ Fishing on the jetty, but use caution as waves sometimes break over it
▪ Large-wave surfing spot near the jetty
SAMOA BOAT RAMP COUNTY PARK: New Navy Base Rd., 4.4 mi. S. of Hwy. 255 intersection. Campsites for 25 RVs plus tent sites, coin-operated showers, and boat ramp. Fee for camping. Call: 707-445-7651.
Humboldt County
Eureka
