If you want to see one of California's most beautiful arrays of natural wonders, visit Humboldt County and bring your tent, bicycle, backpack and camera. Humboldt showcases historic towns, rocky coastland and bird-laced marshes, dense redwood forests and elk herds. Campers will find enough to keep them active and busy for days or weeks, and will find it especially hard to leave.
County Details
Humboldt County is located along Highway 101, with its many breathtaking vistas. Oregon is 100 miles north; San Francisco is 200 miles south. The redwoods and other forests and recreational areas of this county account for 80 per cent of its 2.3 million acres. Fourteen state parks, plus county parks, national parks and major conservation areas can be found in Humboldt. Base towns for supplies and rentals include Garberville, Orrick, Ferndale/Fortuna, Arcata and McKinleyville.
Major Campgrounds
California state parks with camping include Grizzly Creek Redwoods, Humboldt Redwoods, Benbow Lake, Patrick's Point, Humboldt Lagoon and Prairie Creek Redwoods. These are good ones for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking and exploring in general. Kayaks can be rented in several areas, such as Woodley Island Marina in Eureka. The Redwood National and State parks offer four main campgrounds: Elk Prairie, Jedediah Smith, Gold Bluffs Beach and Mill Creek. Some sites are first-come/first-served (like nearby Sinkyone) and can fill up fast. But others can be reserved early online or by phoning 800-444-7275.
Other Campgrounds
The King Range area has six year-round campgrounds that are smaller and allow both trailers and tents. They do not take reservations. All sites have fire rings, picnic tables and vault or pit toilets, but water can be an issue. Mattole campground is on the beach near Petrolia, and you can access the Lost Coast Trailhead from here. Tolkan campground on King Peak Road will give you access to the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trail. Some KOA and other private campgrounds can be found throughout the county as well.
Activities
Beachcombing and bird-watching are great activities on the coast, but campers won't want to miss the 31-mile Avenue of the Giants, which parallels Hwy 101 through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Hiking and bicycling are permissible at a number of places off this road of towering trees. Rock climbers might want to check out Moonstone Beach and Houda Point near Arcata, and various sites in the more mountainous regions. Rock and gem collectors will want to stop at Chapman's right off Hwy. 101 near Fortuna. You can't miss them--they're world renowned. Browse their impressive collection, and pay the nominal admission to their museum. It will fill your head and enlighten your soul for hours.
Considerations
You will see warnings for wildlife in a number of places. Most notable are the black bears that have an obvious interest in your food, so please be cautious. Bear canisters are required for every backpacker in the King Range National Conservation Area. If you backpack in and don't get one, you'll be subject to a fine. Canisters are available for rent with a deposit from several locations.
Other considerations are water in some less-frequented camping areas, as well as when hiking or camping away from good sources. Treating the water before drinking is wise when you're in undeveloped areas. Honor the creatures and wildlife habitats throughout the county, and above all: leave no trace whatsoever that you have visited.
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