Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Humboldt to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Part of the country’s Lagoons diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities largest lagoon system State Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. supports a rich variety of marsh plants, birds and other animals California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who while providing need assistance should contact the park at (707) 488-2169. This publication is available ample opportunity in alternate formats by contacting: for recreation. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™

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Humboldt Lagoons State Park 115336 Highway 101 North Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 488-2169

© 2011 California State Parks V isitors to Humboldt Lagoons actively pursued cultural and language State Park see part of the largest revitalization, viewing Humboldt Lagoons lagoon system in the United States. State Park as part of their heritage. Lagoons are shallow, enclosed bodies NATURAL HISTORY of water along the coast—separated from the ocean by coastal strands or The Lagoons spits of land. Water flows in and out of Humboldt Lagoons State Park consists of the lagoons when it breaches (breaks four separate areas from south to north: through) these spits. Big Lagoon, Dry Lagoon, Stone Lagoon and The park offers activities that Freshwater Lagoon. include fishing, swimming, picnicking Big Lagoon frequently breaches its and kayaking. From the flat, sand spit each season after winter rains. uncrowded beach and wetland areas, Stone Lagoon Thousands of birds live or migrate through watch whales and migratory birds here, as does a federally endangered fish, make their way along the coast. First European Contact the tidewater goby. Summers are usually mild, with morning The Yurok people’s first documented contact Dry Lagoon was once a fourth body of fog burning off by midday. Cool winters bring with non-Indians was in 1775, with the arrival water. Farmers drained it, but attempts to rain; weather changes frequently. of Spanish explorers at the nearby town of grow crops here failed. Dry Lagoon’s wetland T’surai (near present-day Trinidad). now attracts scores of migrating birds. PARK HISTORY With the discovery of gold in 1850 along Stone Lagoon breaches its 1.5-mile Native People the Trinity River, the Yurok people’s way of ocean barrier much less frequently than Big The Yurok have lived here for generations, life nearly came to an end. Conflicts between Lagoon; years may elapse between breaks. inhabiting a coastal strip from Little River the Yurok and many Euro-Americans forced Six environmental campsites are available. in today’s Humboldt County to Del Norte the relocation of the Yurok to distant Watch for river otters or Roosevelt elk that County, and inland along the Klamath River. reservations. By the turn of the century, two- graze south of Stone Lagoon. Though some villages were seasonal, others thirds of the population Freshwater were permanent settlements where major had been decimated, due Lagoon, co-managed ceremonies took place. to dietary changes and with Redwood From several Yurok villages within what is unfamiliar diseases. Today, National Park, is now Humboldt Lagoons State Park, people the Yurok tribe has made a fully enclosed fished for salmon, eel, trout and steelhead, a remarkable recovery. body of water. The as well as marine mammals and shellfish. The most populous tribe lagoon is stocked Canoes of hollowed-out redwood logs in California with more with rainbow trout, carried the Yurok between villages and than 5,500 members, the which join bluegill, food sources. A system of trails was also majority of Yurok live in largemouth bass and established to connect far-flung settlements Del Norte and Humboldt catfish already in across rugged terrain. counties. The tribe has Roosevelt elk residence. European beachgrass. State Parks RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES has been restoring the dunes here for Fishing—Freshwater Lagoon has rainbow several years, resulting in a vibrant and German brown trout, surf perch, catfish dune mat community. Prairie balds, and largemouth bass. Use barbless hooks at small patches of herbaceous vegetation Stone Lagoon and Big Lagoon for all species. found across Hwy. 101 from the visitor Steelhead trout are catch-and-release only. center, are dominated by various grasses Kayaking—All three “wet” lagoons allow interspersed with Douglas iris, clumps of kayaking. Freshwater Lagoon has the most Pacific reed grass and bracken fern. protection from strong north winds. In the forest, coast redwood and salt- Camping—The first-come, first served spray-tolerant Sitka spruce thrive near campsites are usually open from Memorial the ocean among Western hemlock and Day through Labor Day. Stone Lagoon has a grand fir. Red alder grows in riparian boat-in campground. Register at the self-pay areas among large stands of willows. station at Stone Lagoon Visitor Center. Wildlife To obtain the combination lock number As part of the Pacific Flyway, Humboldt for Dry Lagoon campsites, register at Lagoons hosts more than 200 bird Patrick’s Point State Park—(707) 677-3570. species, including endangered bald Picnicking—Picnic areas are at the visitor eagles, peregrine falcons and threatened center and at Dry Lagoon day-use area. Western snowy plovers. Black bears, ACCESSIBLE FEATURES herds of Roosevelt elk and bobcats can There are no (wheelchair) accessible be seen in the park. Watch for whales, activities yet at this park, but accessibility is Plant Life dolphins and sea lions offshore. continually improving. For updates, visit The coastal strand beaches within http://access.parks.ca.gov. Humboldt Lagoons support a dynamic NEARBY STATE PARKS coastal dune mat vegetation community. • Patrick’s Point State Park The lagoon margins of Big and Stone 4150 Patrick’s Point Dr., Trinidad 95570 lagoons consist of brackish marsh, while (707) 677-3570 Dry Lagoon supports both freshwater • Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area and brackish marsh. Landlocked 32 miles north of Eureka on Hwy. 101 Freshwater Lagoon is bounded by a (707) 677-3570 narrow band of freshwater marsh. • Trinidad State Beach, 19 mi. north of Native dune mats can be displaced Eureka on Hwy. 101, Trinidad 95570 by invasive exotic species such as (707) 677-3570 jubata or pampas grass, iceplant and Snowy plover PLEASE REMEMBER • All natural and cultural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed. • Watch out for afternoon winds that may cause treacherous conditions, rogue waves and ocean-side rip currents. • Check current tide tables to avoid becoming trapped by high tide. • Anglers age 16 and older must carry a current California fishing license. • For your safety and theirs, do not approach elk for any reason. • Except for service animals, pets are not allowed in campsites, on trails or in dune areas, and they must not be left unattended.