The Park is currently OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS IN SERVICES AND/OR FACILITIES.

Please check the hours of operation.

Reservations

Notice Updated: 3/28/2025: In the interest of public safety, Dry Lagoon is closed to public access and use at the intersection of McDonald Creek Road and Highway 101 until further notice. The closure is necessary for public safety until road repairs from storm driven erosion can be made.

Contact Number

(707) 488-2700

Park Accessibility Information

View the Park Accessibility Information

Park Hours

Day-use areas are open
sunrise to sunset year-round
Visitor Center open
Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm

Park Activities

Are Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Except for service animals, dogs not allowed in campsites, on trails, or in dune areas.

Visiting State Parks With Your Dog

Day-Use Activities & Facilities

Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching

Trail Use

Hiking Trails

Park Facilities

EV Information

E-Bike Locations
EV Charger Icon

EV Charger Locations

Overnight Facilities

Environmental Campsites
Boat-in/Floating Camps

Other Facilities & Visitor Information

Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available

Boating

Boating
Boat Ramps

Welcome to Humboldt Lagoons State Park

To keep up to date on events happening in north coast parks, visit the North Coast Redwoods Facebook and Instagram pages.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park is located on the land of the Ner'-er-herh/Coastal Yurok People. The name of this place is Chah-pekw Hee-koh. The park lies on the sandy, windswept edge of ocean and forest. Formed by the clash of two tectonic plates, it’s part of the largest lagoon system in the United States. Ranger Maurice Morningstar calls it “a string of pearls that lets you look back in time and see a process that continues today.”

Forty miles north of Eureka, the park includes Big Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, and Freshwater Lagoon, as well as Dry Lagoon, which is now a marsh, bordered by dunes, forests, prairies, and coastal scrub. With such varied habitats, wildlife thrives. On a single visit, you can see whales and elk, trout and salmon, pelicans and woodpeckers.

Visitors can hike the California Coastal Trail and paddle, swim, and fish at the lagoons. There’s even a paddle-in and hike-in campground in the forest at Ryan’s Cove—and kayaks and paddleboards for rent at Stone Lagoon Visitor Center. In May or early June, take a short drive up Stagecoach Hill to see the blaze of color along Azalea Nature Trail.

In the early 1900s, Dry Lagoon was drained by early farmers; several types of crops were attempted but none proved economical. 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, now the Stone Lagoons Visitor Center.

Today the marshland habitat has returned to support a rich variety of marsh plants, birds, and other animals. The park offers boating, fishing, and hiking with day-use only picnic areas near the visitor center.

Bring your own boat or rent one to enjoy exploring the lagoon. At the beach, you have access to six miles of bird watching or whale watching.

District Contact Information
NoCoastRedwoodsInfo@parks.ca.gov
District Office: (707) 445-6547
District Fax: (707) 441-5737
3431 Fort Ave.
Eureka, CA 95503

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM