V isitors to Humboldt Lagoons The tribe has actively pursued cultural and State Park see unspoiled scenic language revitalization, viewing Humboldt lagoons, part of the largest lagoon Lagoons State Park as part of their heritage. system in the United States. Lagoons NATURAL HISTORY are shallow, enclosed bodies of water along the coast—separated from the The Lagoons ocean by spits of land. Water flows Humboldt Lagoons State Park includes in and out of the lagoons when it four lagoons: leading from south to north, breaches 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 sand and kayaking. From the flat, spit each season after the winter rains. uncrowded beach and wetland areas, Stone Lagoon Thousands of birds live or migrate through watch whales and migratory birds here, as does the federally endangered make their way along the coast. First European Contact tidewater goby fish. Summers are usually mild, with morning The Yurok people’s first documented contact Dry Lagoon, between Stone Lagoon and fog burning off by midday. Cool winters bring with non-Indians was in 1775, with the arrival Big Lagoon, was once a fourth body of water rain, but weather changes frequently. of Spanish explorers at the nearby town of but was drained for agriculture by farmers. T’surai (near present-day Trinidad). Though attempts to grow crops failed, Dry PARK HISTORY With the discovery of gold in 1850 along Lagoon’s wetland attracts migrating birds. Native People the Trinity River, the Yurok people’s way of Stone Lagoon breaches its 1.5-mile sand The Yurok have lived here for generations, life nearly came to an end. Conflicts between spit much less frequently than Big Lagoon; inhabiting a coastal strip from Little River the Yurok and many Euro-Americans forced years may elapse between breaches. Six in today’s Humboldt County to Del Norte the relocation of the Yurok to distant environmental campsites are located here. County, and inland along the Klamath River. reservations. By the turn of the century, two- Watch for shore birds, river otters and the Though some villages were seasonal, others thirds of the population Roosevelt elk that graze were permanent settlements where major had been decimated, due along Stone Lagoon’s ceremonies took place. to dietary changes and southern portion. From several Yurok villages within what is unfamiliar diseases. Freshwater Lagoon, co- now Humboldt Lagoons State Park, people Today, the Yurok tribe managed with Redwood fished for salmon, eel, trout and steelhead, has made a remarkable National Park, is a fully as well as marine mammals and shellfish. recovery. The most enclosed body of water Canoes of hollowed-out redwood logs populous tribe in California behind a sand spit. The carried the Yurok between villages and with more than 5,500 lagoon is stocked with food sources. A system of trails was also members, the majority of rainbow trout, which join established to connect far-flung settlements Yurok live in Del Norte largemouth bass, bluegill across rugged terrain. and Humboldt counties. Roosevelt elk and catfish in residence. Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Humboldt education of the people of California by helping Part of the country’s to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and Lagoons largest lagoon system cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. State Park supports a rich variety of marsh plants, birds and other California State Parks supports equal access. animals while providing Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at ample opportunity (707) 488-2169. This publication is available 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.™ SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Humboldt Lagoons State Park 115336 Highway 101 North Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 488-2169 © 2011 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper V isitors to Humboldt Lagoons The tribe has actively pursued cultural and State Park see unspoiled scenic language revitalization, viewing Humboldt lagoons, part of the largest lagoon Lagoons State Park as part of their heritage. system in the United States. Lagoons NATURAL HISTORY are shallow, enclosed bodies of water along the coast—separated from the The Lagoons ocean by spits of land. Water flows Humboldt Lagoons State Park includes in and out of the lagoons when it four lagoons: leading from south to north, breaches 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 sand and kayaking. From the flat, spit each season after the winter rains. uncrowded beach and wetland areas, Stone Lagoon Thousands of birds live or migrate through watch whales and migratory birds here, as does the federally endangered make their way along the coast. First European Contact tidewater goby fish. Summers are usually mild, with morning The Yurok people’s first documented contact Dry Lagoon, between Stone Lagoon and fog burning off by midday. Cool winters bring with non-Indians was in 1775, with the arrival Big Lagoon, was once a fourth body of water rain, but weather changes frequently. of Spanish explorers at the nearby town of but was drained for agriculture by farmers. T’surai (near present-day Trinidad). Though attempts to grow crops failed, Dry PARK HISTORY With the discovery of gold in 1850 along Lagoon’s wetland attracts migrating birds. Native People the Trinity River, the Yurok people’s way of Stone Lagoon breaches its 1.5-mile sand The Yurok have lived here for generations, life nearly came to an end. Conflicts between spit much less frequently than Big Lagoon; inhabiting a coastal strip from Little River the Yurok and many Euro-Americans forced years may elapse between breaches. Six in today’s Humboldt County to Del Norte the relocation of the Yurok to distant environmental campsites are located here. County, and inland along the Klamath River. reservations. By the turn of the century, two- Watch for shore birds, river otters and the Though some villages were seasonal, others thirds of the population Roosevelt elk that graze were permanent settlements where major had been decimated, due along Stone Lagoon’s ceremonies took place. to dietary changes and southern portion. From several Yurok villages within what is unfamiliar diseases. Freshwater Lagoon, co- now Humboldt Lagoons State Park, people Today, the Yurok tribe managed with Redwood fished for salmon, eel, trout and steelhead, has made a remarkable National Park, is a fully as well as marine mammals and shellfish. recovery. The most enclosed body of water Canoes of hollowed-out redwood logs populous tribe in California behind a sand spit. The carried the Yurok between villages and with more than 5,500 lagoon is stocked with food sources. A system of trails was also members, the majority of rainbow trout, which join established to connect far-flung settlements Yurok live in Del Norte largemouth bass, bluegill across rugged terrain. and Humboldt counties. Roosevelt elk and catfish in residence. Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Humboldt education of the people of California by helping Part of the country’s to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and Lagoons largest lagoon system cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. State Park supports a rich variety of marsh plants, birds and other California State Parks supports equal access. animals while providing Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at ample opportunity (707) 488-2169. This publication is available 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.™ SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Humboldt Lagoons State Park 115336 Highway 101 North Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 488-2169 © 2011 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper ACCESSIBLE FEATURES PLEASE REMEMBER There are no (wheelchair) accessible • Afternoon winds can cause dangerous activities yet at this park, but accessibility is conditions. Steep drops, rogue waves and continually improving. For updates, visit ocean-side rip currents can be dangerous. http://access.parks.ca.gov. • Check current tide tables on trails and lagoons before venturing out to avoid NEARBY STATE PARKS becoming trapped by high tide. • Patrick’s Point State Park 4150 Patrick’s Point Dr., Trinidad 95570 • Anglers age 16 and over must carry a current (707) 677-3570 California fishing license. • Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area • For your safety and theirs, do not approach 3 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 101 elk for any reason. (707) 677-3570 • Except for service animals, pets are not • Trinidad State Beach, 19 mi. north of allowed in campsites, on trails or dune areas. Eureka on Hwy. 101, Trinidad 95570 Pets must be on a 6-foot-maximum leash (707) 677-3570 and must be attended. OREQ-w AY Redwood Creek HW ay IG hw 101 Picnic Area H ig Humboldt Lagoons D H O te O ta to Orick, State Park W S Klamath Plant Life D ld E O The coastal strand beaches within Humboldt R Lagoons support a dynamic coastal dune mat vegetation community.