Humboldt Lagoons State Park — Attraction in McKinleyville

This was my favorite area of Humboldt County when I used to live in Trinidad, mostly because it was only a few minutes away from my home. Big Lagoon is picturesque, especially where Maple Creek enters at the marshy end (the bridge). A little over half a mile up Redwood Highway, there is a small turnout on the west side of the road with a locked gate. Beyond the gate is a fair area for fishing, a beautiful small field of violet irises and, where Tom Creek enters the lagoon, a sandy area where you can dig for freshwater clams (the limit is 50, so chow down!). Every year the lagoon opens to the ocean and you get a wonderful selection of fresh and saltwater fish in the brackish waters, including sturgeon.

Stone Lagoon is even prettier, though less accessible: there is only one road leading down to the lagoon. This one only occasionally opens to the sea, so the water is much fresher and you can catch trout and bass here. My best haul was a 5 lb. steelhead trout caught on 2 lb. test with an Ugly Stick. Now that was fun!

My most often visited lagoon was Freshwater Lagoon, which, obviously, never opens to the sea and lives up to its name. If you have a boat, you might catch a smallmouth bass, but they're pretty impossible to catch from the shore. Most people fish from the boat ramp, where they release the farm-raised rainbows--and it's also where those fish taste the worst because they haven't had time to acclimate to wild waters. I'm going to give up my secret fishing spot because I probably will never get to fish there again:

As you come down the hill from Stone Lagoon (heading north), you'll see the lagoon to your right and the ocean to your left. Park on the right side after the Freshwater Lagoon sign, near the No Overnight Camping sign. Take your gear (including a folding chair) down the hill and you'll see an area about 20 feet long of hard-packed dirt. That's where you set up. Use red Powerbait on a 10 gold hook with about a 2 foot leader, cast and wait. I caught 2 lb. rainbows doing this every single time--but beware: the ospreys living there may steal your fish! And because this is half a mile from where the fish are stocked, these have acclimated and are delicious.

Now remember, it's a secret, so don't...

Another of the surreal coastal formations to be found in the area. Basically a sandbar/peninsula which creates a large bay. 101 winds from the bottom of the bay around its eastern edge, rising from sea level to high above the bay on the Northern side.

If you're driving from the North, stop as soon as you see a good view. The higher up you are (the further north) the more beautiful your photos will be.

You can surf here if you're brave, and I believe there are...

Gorgeous views, calm and peaceful waters, and a chance to see some elk. Most people drive through these lagoons to visit other state parks, but have you ever stopped and taken a walk along the sand bar between the lagoon and the ocean? There are places to picnic, kayak, and explore in these gorgeous lagoons (yep, lagoons, not just lagoon). GO see for yourself how beautiful it is here. Each lagoon is different and has its own...