Day-use areas are open
sunrise to sunset year-round
Humboldt Lagoons State Park
This park unit is open at limited capacity. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (May 28, 2021)
What is open now?
- Day Use Vehicular Access.
- Very limited parking is now available to the public.
- Trails.
- Beaches.
COVID-19 Guidelines - (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
- Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
Phone Number
(707) 677-3570
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Except for service animals, dogs not allowed in campsites, on trails, or in dune areas.
Driving Directions to Humboldt Lagoons SP
The park is located 40 miles north of Eureka and 55 miles south of Crescent City, CA on Highway 101.Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boating
Boat Ramps
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Environmental Campsites
Boat-in/Floating Camps
Environmental Campsites
Boat-in/Floating Camps
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
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
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Humboldt Lagoons State 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.
Humboldt Lagoons State Park Video
Location/ Directions
Humboldt Lagoons is located 40 miles north of Eureka and 55 miles south of Crescent City on Highway 101.
Seasons/Climate
Coastal/Temperate. Summer is foggy, cool, and damp, with temperatures averaging 50-60 degrees. Winter temperatures average 40-50 degrees with 60 annual inches of rainfall occurring mostly from November into May. Spring and fall typically have nice weather.