Humboldt Lagoons State Park

How to get there: 40 miles north of Eureka, California and 55 miles south of Crescent City, California just off Highway 101. For information call (707) 488-2041.

In the early 1900's, Dry Lagoon was drained by early farmers and several types of crops were attempted, but none proved economical. Today the marshland habitat has returned and supports a rich variety of marsh plants, birds and other animals.

In the early days, several dairy ranches were established along the shores of Stone Lagoon. Later, when the highway was improved, a motel/restaurant called the "Little Red Hen" was located next to the lagoon. This business continued in operation until 1979. The restaurant building was remodeled into a museum and park office and is now the Humboldt Lagoons Visitor Center and bookstore.

There are six environmental campsites at Stone Lagoon accessible by foot or boat only (camper must provide their own boat.) The campsites are on a recently completed section of the Coastal Trail. Dry Lagoon environmental camp also has six campsites. Self register for Stone Lagoon boat-in camps near the boat ramp at the visitor center. Dry Lagoon camps require obtaining a combination to a locked gate, therefore registration is via the visitor center (Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.) or by contacting Patrick's Point State Park, 10 miles south on Highway 101.

There are day use only picnic areas at the visitor center and at the north end of Stone Lagoon on the beach. The park offers boating, fishing, beach combing, hiking.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park in a nutshell:

Visitation: 50,000/year.
Location/directions: 40 miles north of Eureka, California and 55 miles south of Crescent City, California on Highway 101.
Address: Humboldt Lagoon State Park, 15330 Highway 101, Trinidad CA 95570.
Telephone: (707) 488-2041
Operating hours/seasons: Visitor center hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily (June-Sept.), Day-use areas hours are sunrise to sunset year round, camping is open year round.
Climate/recommended clothing: Coastal/temperate. Summer 50-60 with coastal fog common. Winter 40-50 with 60 inches annual rainfall occurring mostly Nov.-May. Spring and fall are typically very nice. Summer is foggy, cool and damp. Bring warm/layered clothing.
Travel Directions: 55 miles south of Crescent City and 40 miles north of Eureka on Highway 101.
Transportation (to the park/in the park): Greyhound has both north and south routes on Highway 101. None inside park.
Fees/costs/rates: Boat-in and hike-in environmental campsites -$7, $5 extra vehicle. No Day-use fee.
Facilities: Three mile link of Coastal Trail, beach and lagoon access, picnic area on beach, boat launch ramp. Camps and picnic areas have pit toilets and no water.
Reservations/permits: First-come, first-served only.
Basic visit recommendations: Bring your own boat and enjoy exploring lagoon. Can land boat on beach and have access to six miles of beachcombing, bird watching, whale watching, agate hunting.
Special events/programs: None.
Visitor impacts: Lightly used park-heavier on weekends. Stone Lagoon boat speed restriction of 10 mph.
Adjacent visitor attractions: Patrick's Point State Park, Azalea State Reserve, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National Park.

Additional North Coast Redwoods District State Parks links:

[Azalea State Reserve]
[Benbow Lake State Recreation Area]
[Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park]
[Fort Humboldt State Historic Park]
[Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Standish - Hickey State Recreation Area]
[Humboldt Redwoods State Park]
[Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park]
[Humboldt Lagoons State Park]
[Lake Earl State Park]
[Patrick's Point State Park]
[Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park]
[Richardson Grove State Park]
[Sinkyone Wilderness State Park]
[Trinidad State Beach]

Back to North Coast Redwoods District page.
Back to Humboldt Redwoods State Park home page.