Explore Humboldt County, California

Tall Trees Grove and Lady Bird Johnson Grove anchor the Humboldt side of the park, with backcountry camps along Redwood Creek. The park spans both Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Roosevelt elk herds, Fern Canyon and old-growth redwoods, plus two of the county's best-known campgrounds at Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach.

The largest lagoon system in the United States. Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon offer sheltered paddling and fishing, with boat-in and environmental campsites.

Coastal bluffs, tidepools and agate hunting, with whale watching in season and a developed campground above the sea stacks.

Current closure: Palmers Point Trail terminus closed — storm surge eroded the lower stairs

A day-use historic site on the bluff above Eureka, preserving the 1853 military post alongside an outdoor logging museum.

Current closure: The Museum and Surgeon's Quarters are closed to visitors due to construction (State Parks alert, updated 4 August 2026)

7,472 acres of old-growth redwood protecting marbled murrelet and spotted owl habitat. Day use only, reached by the Elk River Trail.

The largest contiguous old-growth redwood forest on Earth, threaded by the Avenue of the Giants and Rockefeller Forest, with campgrounds at Burlington, Hidden Springs and Albee Creek.

A quiet old-growth grove along the Van Duzen River on Highway 36, with popular summer swimming holes and a riverside campground.

Seasonal closure: The Van Duzen footbridge to the Memorial Trail trailhead is installed summer only

The southern gateway to the redwoods on Highway 101, with historic CCC structures, Eel River swimming and three campgrounds.

Currently closed: Oak Flat Campground, per the May 2026 park infosheet

Eel River recreation beside the historic Benbow Inn and golf course, with seasonal lake paddling in years when the summer dam is installed.

Lake status: No lake. The summer dam hasn't been installed since 2008 and the dam was demolished in 2017

Coastal bluff trails, sea stacks and tidepooling just north of Trinidad Head. Day use.

Current closure: College Cove access trail from the Elkhead Loop junction, and the far west end of Elkhead Bluff Trail

Moonstone Beach access with a dog-friendly stretch of sand and one of the county's most approachable surf breaks. Day use.

A short walking loop through native western azaleas that bloom in late spring, alongside seasonal wildflowers.

Remote old-growth groves reached from Rockefeller Forest inside Humboldt Redwoods. No facilities.

Vast forest lands across the eastern county with river access, forest-road riding, dispersed camping and a long trail network. Start at the Lower Trinity Ranger District in Willow Creek.

California's Lost Coast — remote backpacking on black sand beaches with permit-required backcountry camping. Trailhead access at Black Sands Beach, Shelter Cove.

An in-town old-growth grove with walking paths, a duck pond and the Sequoia Park Zoo.

A municipally managed second-growth redwood forest with an extensive multi-use trail network right above town.

A long sandy beach known for clamming and dog walking, with dune camping just off Highway 101.

Clamming: Pacific razor clam, licence required 16+. Bag limit 20, first 20 dug must be kept. County-wide closure since May 2, 2024 for domoic acid — check before going

307-acre coastal wetland and integrated wastewater treatment marsh with ~5 mi of level trails; one of the top birding destinations on the North Coast.

Primary western trailhead and picnic/playground park at the edge of the Arcata Community Forest; distinct destination from the forest itself.

4.5-mile regional trail linking the northern and southern portions of Arcata through the Community Forest and Sunny Brae tract.

Southern tract of the Arcata Community Forest below Fickle Hill Road with its own trail map and network.

McKinleyville park connected to the Hammond Trail with the Widow White Creek loop; picnic areas and disc golf.

Community forest trail network on the east side of McKinleyville.

Fish hatchery near Blue Lake with an easy ~1.2 mi riverside loop; the 'Hatchery' endpoint of Wildtrail's trail guide.

Status: No longer a hatchery. Operations ceased June 2025; remaining steelhead released into the Mad River that spring

Blue Lake's central park with ballfields, bocce, playground and picnic area at 312 S. Railroad Ave.

~1,194-acre county community forest SE of Eureka with 7+ mi of hiking and mountain-bike trails (Bob Hill Gulch, Perimeter Loop, Ryan Creek).

Paved estuary trail along the Elk River south of Eureka; birding and sunset views. Connects toward the Eureka Waterfront Trail.

BLM dune and beach area at the mouth of Humboldt Bay; surfing, beachcombing, and OHV zone nearby.

Closed area: The northeastern 40 acres, permanently, for endangered plant protection. Wetland Protection Area is closed to vehicles

Salt marsh and mudflat refuge on south Humboldt Bay; premier waterfowl and Aleutian goose viewing with the Shorebird Loop and Hookton Slough trails.

Wetland wildlife area east of Eureka near the bay; birding and marsh walks.

Closed to all public use: From the Monday after the Youth Waterfowl Hunt (usually the first week of February) until April 1

Bayfront park in Eureka with boardwalk access and open lawn; gateway to the waterfront.

Co-managed dune complex on the North Spit with forested and open-dune trails to a wide Pacific beach.

Restored coastal dune trails behind the community of Manila with beach access.

Wide beach and dune access at the mouth of the Mad River northwest of Arcata; surfing, walking, river access.

Camping, kayaking and beachcombing on a long sand spit ~7 mi north of Trinidad; paddle rentals in season.

Boat-in camping and paddling lagoon within Humboldt Lagoons State Park; visitor center on Hwy 101.

Sheltered north-facing cove reached by a short forest trail; part of the Trinidad State Beach complex.

Status: Closed. The College Cove access trail is shut from the Elkhead Loop Trail junction, along with the far western end of the Elkhead Bluff Trail. No end date posted

Popular surf break and dramatic sea-stack overlook (Camel Rock) with a short trail to Moonstone Beach.

31-mile scenic drive/cycling corridor through Humboldt Redwoods State Park with dozens of grove pullouts. High-intent search term visitors use directly.

Largest contiguous old-growth coast redwood forest in the world; Rockefeller Loop and Bull Creek Flats trails.

Iconic 1.4-mile old-growth loop in the ridgetop fog; site of the park's 1968 dedication.

Permit-gated grove of some of the world's tallest trees via a steep 4-mile round-trip. Free permit required.

105-acre forest and bird sanctuary blocks from Main St with Sitka spruce trails and valley overlooks.

Nine-mile secluded beach below sandstone bluffs west of Ferndale; whale watching Apr-May, dogs, horses, bonfires.

Fortuna's main park with redwood trails, ballfields, playground, and the Fortuna Depot Museum.

Bluff-top park and beach access south of Humboldt Bay with sweeping coastal views and access toward the South Spit.

Seasonal closure: The plover restoration area at the north end of the spit closes March – September

Dramatic dark-pebble beach at Shelter Cove; northern trailhead for the Lost Coast Trail.

Southern trailhead of the Lost Coast Trail with a BLM campground at the mouth of the Mattole River near Petrolia.

Bluff overlook, picnic area and trail down to a rocky/sandy cove just south of Trinidad.

Flat, easy old-growth loop off the Avenue of the Giants; ferns and big trees, family friendly.

Paved north/south riverside trail along the Eel River corridor at Fortuna.

Riverside county campground in the Mattole Valley near Petrolia; base for Lost Coast trips.

A pet-friendly paved-and-gravel coastal route between the Mad River and Clam Beach, with bluff views, birding and easy walking or biking.

A short climb around Trinidad Head with broad harbor and Pacific views near the historic lighthouse.

Quiet grassland and bluff hiking west of Ferndale, with wildflowers, birding and a steep half-mile route down to the beach.

Fleener Creek Trailhead: Closed indefinitely. The trail and parking area went into the ocean in a February 24, 2024 landslide, and slide activity has continued

An all-day redwood-to-ocean hike from Prairie Creek Visitor Center through old-growth forest to Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach.

Current status: Partially open as of August 2026 — the easternmost staircase into Fern Canyon is closed for construction; the western stairs are open

A short, accessible old-growth loop off Avenue of the Giants featuring the fallen Dyerville Giant and interpretive stops.

A mostly level bayfront walking and biking route linking Hikshari' Trail, Old Town, the marina and wildlife-viewing areas.

A public gateway to more than 1,000 acres of dunes and coastal habitat, with interpretive trails and a beach wheelchair available to borrow.

A family-friendly old-growth loop from Elk Meadow with a small waterfall, spring trilliums and about 200 feet of climbing to the falls.

An urban redwood experience combining zoo paths with the self-guided Redwood Sky Walk, which is included with zoo admission.

A remote multi-day coastal backpack from Mattole to Black Sands Beach with wildlife, tide-dependent sections and very limited services.

A short walk through a cobbled creek bed between fern-covered canyon walls; expect wet feet and seasonal footbridges.

A gentle old-growth walk near Big Tree Wayside through cathedral-like redwood groups, nursery logs, ferns and berry plants.

A sustained old-growth climb from Elk Meadow to Lady Bird Johnson Grove, gaining roughly 1,200 feet along historic Bald Hills Road.

A purpose-built backcountry mountain-bike loop in the King Range, with forest riding, technical features and more trails around Tolkan.

Riverside day use and short walks among old-growth redwoods at Swimmers Delight and Pamplin Grove, about 12 miles east of Highway 101.