Heading north on Hwy 101 from Mendocino into Humboldt County, your first encounter with old-growth redwoods will be at Richardson Grove State Park. Established in 1922 and named after California’s 25th governor, Friend W. Richardson, this beautiful park is not only a popular family camping spot, but also a wonderful place to learn about the coastal redwood forests. There is a … [Read more...]
#20 – King Range and Lost Coast Trail
The King Range National Conservation Area is unlike any other place in the continental United States. Here, in this 35-mile long, 68,000-acre stretch of coastal wilderness, the mountains rise directly out of the sea. King Peak tops out at 4,088 ft., and is only 3 miles from the ocean. The Conservation Area extends between the Mattole River in Humboldt County to the northern … [Read more...]
#21 – Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The natural crown jewel of the county is Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This is the definitive spot to see the magnificence of California’s famous coastal redwoods. In the early part of the last century there was a nationwide effort to save what remained of the old-growth redwoods on California’s North Coast. Philanthropists and civic clubs began buying groves of trees for the … [Read more...]
#22 – Eel River Swimming Holes
One of the most striking features of Humboldt County is the magnificent Eel River. The North and Middle Forks of the Eel have been designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system, and its watershed is the third largest in California. The river flows through five counties with winding lazy curves to churning whitewater. It runs parallel to the coast and Hwy 101. … [Read more...]
#24 – Redwood Hiking Trails
Humboldt Redwoods State Park has hundreds of miles of trails — there are so many it’s hard to decide where to hike. View our map on pages 28 and 29 to see the location of different trailheads along the Avenue of the Giants. Listed here are the five best hikes chosen by the volunteers of the Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association who staff the Visitor Center. There is also a … [Read more...]
#26 – Cuneo Creek Horse Camp
Cuneo Creek Horse Camp is a complete campground designed specifically for equestrians and their horses. The camp features five family campsites, accommodating up to eight campers each, with two corrals on each site. Two group campsites accommodate up to 90 campers and their horses, with a total of 28 corrals. The different sites also accommodate large trailers and RVs. The camp … [Read more...]
#33 – Centerville County Park and Beach
Just outside Ferndale, discover a pristine beach on the Pacific Ocean that stretches for nine miles with dairy farms to the north and steep cliffs to the south. At Centerville County Park and Beach, have an exciting afternoon filled with hiking, picnicking, beachcombing and wildlife viewing. Sandpipers dance on the water’s edge and cormorants, pelicans and gulls soar over the … [Read more...]
#39 – Salmon Pass Trail
Here is your chance to explore Headwaters Forest Reserve with a knowledgeable guide, a Park Ranger who will introduce you to the wonders of this magical old-growth forestland. The first half mile of the trail passes through a young to mid-aged forest with views of restored watershed areas. The next 2 miles ascend through the old-growth redwood forest with a stunning view across … [Read more...]
#42 – South Spit Humboldt Bay & Table Bluff County Park
About 10 minutes south of Eureka off Hwy 101, visitors will find the expansive sandy beaches of the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit Humboldt Bay. Locals know it simply as the South Spit, and anyone will tell you that if you’re looking for a beach all to yourself, this is where you’re going to find it. Access to the spit is through Table Bluff County Park, where high … [Read more...]
#48 – Humboldt Coastal Nature Center
The growing, green-roofed Humboldt Coastal Nature Center in Manila, founded by Friends of the Dunes, is unique in our region. It is the public gateway to over 1000 acres of coastal lands including the dunes near Arcata and Eureka, possibly Humboldt’s best-kept secret. From the Nature Center you can explore on your own or enjoy guided hikes highlighting bird-watching, mushrooms, … [Read more...]
#5 – Redwood Adventures
Want to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors? Redwood Parks Lodge Company offers full-service hospitality to all visitors to Redwood National and State Parks. It is conveniently located in the heart of Redwood National Park, Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek State Park, beaches, and just a few minutes from world famous Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Hike, … [Read more...]
#64 – Samoa Dunes Recreation Area
If you love to ride your ATV or have been itching to try the sport, head to the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area. This is a great place to go for an afternoon of launching up and over sand dunes, making sharp turns and triggering sand to shoot into the air. With more than 140 acres of trails and beach, there is plenty of space to play. Bring you own ATV since they are not available … [Read more...]
#66 – Headwaters Forest Reserve
Imagine standing under a towering forest canopy, streams of light coming through the leaves and the gentle twitter of birds coming from the woods surrounding you. This is a beautifully tranquil experience, which everyone should have at least once in their life. The Headwaters Forest Reserve, just south of Eureka, offers an ideal setting for this experience. The reserve serves … [Read more...]
#67 – Arcata Community Forest
If you’re looking for a rugged outdoor getaway close to the comforts of town, the Arcata Community Forest is perfect. This incredible redwood forest really is the “best of both worlds.” It covers more than 600 acres, and all of them are inside Arcata’s city limits. Head out into the lush, green forest, and within a few seconds you’ll forget that you are still inside a bustling … [Read more...]
#74 – The Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, a remarkable natural habitat and recreation area built around a cost-effective and environmentally sound wastewater treatment facility, is a great place to go hiking and birding. This 307-acre site is located along the Pacific Flyway, making it a popular destination for birders from all over the world. It is home or rest stop to over 300 … [Read more...]
#75 – Mad River County Park
For a magnificent, memorable beach and riverside experience, head straight to Mad River County Park. Here you can see wildlife in its natural habitat along the shores of the Mad River as it spills into the Pacific Ocean. Spanning many miles, the Mad River starts in Trinity County and winds through Six Rivers National Forest. Matthews Dam, approximately one-third of the way … [Read more...]
#78 – Clam Beach County Beach
Clam Beach is one of McKinleyville’s favorite playgrounds, literally offering something for everyone. Keep your eyes open for a spectacular array of wildlife, or comb the shoreline for lovely stones, shells and driftwood strewn along the fine, gray sand beach. There are excellent clamming opportunities, and the fishing from shore is exceptional too; come out and cast a line to … [Read more...]
#8 – Bicycling & Running
You can take in the natural beauty of Humboldt County and let “people power” carry you to the finish line with cycling and running races. Local running clubs host a number of marathons and community runs throughout the year, and local cyclists gather for mountain bike and road races. No matter what your sport of choice might be, these races will lead you on paths through … [Read more...]
#81 – Hammond Coastal Trail
Hammond Coastal Trail is one of the best places to bike, hike, jog, or ride a horse in Humboldt County. Part of the California Coastal Trail, it is more than five miles long, stretching north from Arcata to Clam Beach County Park in McKinleyville. The trail lies along what was originally a railroad track built in the early 1900s for transporting redwood logs from the Little … [Read more...]
#84 – Big Lagoon County Park
Big Lagoon is formed by a long sand spit that separates it from the Pacific Ocean. The spit is actually a continuation of Agate Beach, and a premier beachcombing location. Here the determined walker can find a profound solitude amid the elements, not to mention agates, jade, jasper, chalcedony and other wave-tumbled stones. Big Lagoon County Park is located at the south end … [Read more...]
#86 – Trinidad State Beach
One of the most popular and spectacular beaches in Humboldt County, Trinidad State Beach is a rock-strewn, mile-long expanse of sandy beach that stretches from Trinidad Head north to Elk Head. The southern portion of the beach is easily accessible from the parking lot located at the beach’s edge by Bay Street and Lighthouse Road, just off Edwards Street. Kid-friendly and … [Read more...]
#88 – Patrick’s Point State Park
Patrick’s Point State Park is located in the heart of Redwood Country. If you love to experience spectacular panoramas, rocky cliffs, great hiking trails and sandy beaches, you won’t want to pass up this wonderful opportunity. Six miles of scenic hiking trails thread through the park where acres of dense forest stretch over an ocean headland. Stroll under a canopy of spruce, … [Read more...]
#9 – Six Rivers National Forest
Six Rivers National Forest is enormous, offering a wide variety of activities for people of every age. It encompasses nearly one million acres and stretches southward from the Oregon border for more than 140 miles. Portions of the forest lie in four different counties, with a big chunk of it in Humboldt County. Visiting Six Rivers is awe-inspiring. You’ll have the opportunity … [Read more...]
#91 – Redwood National and State Parks
Modern life can be stressful, with deadlines to meet, meals to prepare and dozens of things to do and no time to do them. Visit Redwood National and State Parks, and all that worry will be washed away! Take your time and enjoy all that these lovely parks have to offer, with so much to do for every member of the family. In addition to the world-famous soaring redwoods that grow … [Read more...]
#93 – Humboldt Lagoons State Park
Agate hunting, bird-watching, beachcombing, boating and whale-watching are all popular outdoor activities for families along the North Coast. One of the best places to do all of these and more is Humboldt Lagoons State Park. In the early 1900s, Dry Lagoon was drained to make way for crops and dairy ranches. The effort proved uneconomical, and eventually Mother Nature … [Read more...]
#94 – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek, an unassuming waterway that enters the Pacific Ocean near Orick, is also the namesake of the 23-square-mile Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, a sanctuary of old-growth redwoods set aside in the early 1920s by the State of California and the Save-the-Redwoods League. The park has been designated a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. The … [Read more...]
#95 – Amazing Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon lets you take a leisurely stroll, leave everything else behind and enter a magical world. This beautiful natural wonder is a one-mile-long box canyon, complete with the creek that carved it. Its walls, completely covered in five different varieties of fern, tower up to 80 feet above. Huge overhanging trees grow at the top of the ridge, allowing streams of light to … [Read more...]
Center Activities Adventures
Center Activities is a non-profit organization providing recreation gear rental and a variety of recreational activities and private trips including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, surfing, canoeing, windsurfing, backpacking, cross country skiing, rock climbing and whitewater adventures. Experienced guides carter to individual learning styles and skill levels. All … [Read more...]
Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Center, Weott
At Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Center in Garberville visitors learn about the tallest trees on earth. There are numerous visual and hands on educational exhibits, a theater, a gift shop, and a friendly volunteer staff to answer questions about the park. The Visitor Center is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Where: 17119 Avenue of the Giants, … [Read more...]
Kayak Zak’s, Trinidad
At Kayak Zak's their mission is to provide fun, eco-friendly, and safe, on-water instruction, interpretive tours, outdoor education, and environmental awareness in kayaks to persons of all abilities along the beautiful redwood coast of Northern California. Kayak Zak’s offers tours of Trinidad Bay and Big Lagoon, whale and bird migration trips, kayak and equipment rentals, … [Read more...]
Pacific Outfitters Adventures
Pacific Outfitters has the largest and most diverse adventure programs on the North Coast. Their store fronts have all the gear you need to get outdoors, but their adventure program offers everything from lessons, certifications to custom adventures. Whether you are interested in kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, scuba, hunting, firearms, fishing, rafting, or other … [Read more...]