Nestled within the heart of California’s redwood coast, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1971 to preserve, restore, and enhance the natural diversity of native plant, fish and wildlife populations surrounding Humboldt Bay. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1971 to protect critical habitat for the diverse array of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, inve
rtebrates, and plants surrounding Humboldt Bay. Nestled within the heart of California’s redwood coast and traditional lands of the Wiyot Nation, the Refuges' Salmon Creek visitor center is conveniently located within a 15 minute drive of Fortuna, Eureka and Arcata. Trail maps and other information can be obtained at the visitor center, located at 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, California. More information on species, habitats, and visitor services can be found on our website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay
Comprised of almost 5,000 acres, the refuge includes a unique mosaic of seasonally flooded freshwater wetlands, coastal dunes, estuarine eelgrass, meadows, mudflats, saltmarsh, brackish marsh, riparian wetlands, streams, forest, and offshore island habitat. These conservation lands support over 316 of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 100 species of fish and marine invertebrates, including steelhead, coho and chinook salmon, and Dungeness crab. Providing critical habitat to over half a million shorebirds during spring migration, the wetlands surrounding Humboldt bay have been designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of Hemispheric Importance. The refuge is also an important stopover for migratory birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway, where they rest and replenish their energy reserves. More than 50% of the Pacific brant goose population refuels on the eelgrass meadows growing in the shallow parts of Humboldt Bay. The Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes Units of the refuge have been designated a National Natural Landmark, as they represent one of the most diverse and highest quality remnants of coastal dunes habitat in the Northern Pacific Border Biophysiographic Region.
