Humboldt County, California

Humboldt County, California, is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. One must-visit hiking trail is the King Range National Conservation Area. This challenging trail offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, steep mountains, and deep canyons. The trail is known for its diverse ecosystems, including coastal forests and chaparral. Another top outdoor adventure is exploring the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, which parallels Freeway 101 with its 51,222 acres of redwood groves. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely drive or a peaceful hike. For water-related activities, the Mad River is ideal for rafting and fishing. Humboldt County's outdoor attractions also include the Headwaters Forest Reserve, known for its old-growth redwood trees and salmon habitat. These are just a few of the many scenic outdoor adventures awaiting you in Humboldt County.

Top Spots in and near Humboldt County

Trinidad, California
Explore Luffenholtz Beach Park

On a road trip with a friend in July of 2019, this beach came recommended to us. The tidepools, rocks cutting into the sea, and photography opportunities made it a spectacular stop. There are stairs down to the beach and we were the only ones at the park. If I remember correctly, it’s quite a n...
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Trinidad, California
Hike Trinidad Head

4.8

1.5 mi / 300 ft gain

Park in the large parking lot at Trinidad Beach. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot. The loop trail can be hiked in either direction.The trail is half dirt singletrack, half paved switchbacks, and climbs steadily to the top of Trinidad Head. The view of the ocean and California ...
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Trinidad, California
Watch a Sunset at College Cove Beach

5.0

0.25 mi

Follow the trail leading from the end of the parking lot down onto the beach. From the parking lot to the beach the walk is about a quarter of a mile, with a slight decrease in elevation as you move down to the beach. To get to the beach, take 72B off of Highway 101 and turn west onto Main Stree...
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Trinidad, California
Strawberry Rock Trail

5.0

2.99 mi / 505 ft gain

To get there: From the south, take the Trinidad exit, from which you will take a slight left/ go straight onto Trinidad Frontage rd. From The north, get off at the Trinidad exit, cross under the freeway, and take a left on Trinidad Frontage rd. Once on Trinidad Frontage rd, go straight to the end...
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Redcrest, California
Hike through the Founder's Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

5.0

1.3 mi

The Founder's Grove is easily accessed from Highway 101 in northern California. The grove is also on the Avenue of the Giants Scenic Highway. This area, named after the founders of the Save the Redwoods League, is flat and has a relatively open understory making it one of the most picturesque gro...
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Orick, California
Hike Lyons Ranch

4 mi

This is really a dirt road that is gated off from Bald Hills Road. The trail head parking can fit about 6 cars but seldom do people venture out this way. After all, the attraction of Redwood National Park is the redwoods but this high prairie is definitely worth exploring.The walk to the ranch is...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike the Humboldt Redwoods River Trail

3.4 mi / 450 ft gain

You probably won't find as many people along this trail (which I like!) as it's unmarked and sits just south of Rockefeller Loop which draws a good number of visitors, primarily because it has the tallest trees (also definitely worth a visit!). The River Trail is a relatively short, flat hike wit...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike the Rockefeller Forest Loop

0.7 mi / 20 ft gain

From the Avenue of the Giants turn west onto Mattole Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the Rockefeller Forest trailhead.Rockefeller Forest is a less well known grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It's distance from the main road shelters the forest from traffic noise. The trail is wide and smooth, ...
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Trinidad, California
Patrick's Point Trail

5.0

0.21 mi / 92 ft gain

Patrick's Point Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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Trinidad, California
Wedding Rock Trail

5.0

0.23 mi / 85 ft gain

Wedding Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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Orick, California
Tall Trees Grove, Redwood Creek, Emerald Ridge Loop

4.4

4.41 mi / 1043 ft gain

Day 1: Check with the Rangers station before heading up for best camping opportunities. Assuming you've checked with the rangers for approval...if there are openings, off of the main road, there are side streets with access to the beaches. Pull into one of these areas and drive down as far as you...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike the Emerald Ridge - Redwood Creek Loop

6 mi / 900 ft gain

This loop begins at the Tall Trees Trailhead. To access this parking area, you must have a permit that you can obtain from the Kuchel ranger station. The gate is locked. When you get the permit, the ranger will also give you the combination to the gate. Once you drive through, close the gate ...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike to Tall Trees Grove, Redwood NP

5.0

3.9 mi / 690 ft gain

NOTE: You need a permit, albeit free, to do this hike.First, you'll need to go to the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center just off Highway 101 south of Orick, CA. Once there, write down your license plate number and go up to the counter and ask one of the rangers for a permit for Tall Trees Access Ro...
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Ferndale, California
Night Photography at Devil's Gate, Lost Coast

This section of the Lost Coast resides in between Capetown and Petrolia, CA. Entering "Lost Coast California" into Google Maps or a GPS should take you to the road you will need to be on. About 2 miles south of the Location marker the GPS gives you, just past Durr Creek, you should arrive at Devi...
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Garberville, California
Explore the Avenue of the Giants

5.0

The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 31 mile long highway that is surrounded by 51,222 acres of giant redwood trees in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road offers amazing views of the redwoods. The Avenue of the Giants runs through many small towns that offer tons of tourist attractions.Th...
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Orick, California
Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood NP

4.0

1.35 mi / 92 ft gain

This hike starts in the parking lot of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Picnic Area. As one of the more popular hikes in Redwood National Park, it is a good idea to get there early to secure parking and miss the crowds. To get to the parking lot from the Kuchel Visitor Center, travel north on Highway ...
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