About
Arcata Community Forest is a place where you can really get lost in the woods. Sunlight filters through the canopy of giant redwoods, illuminating the forest floor covered in ferns and moss and the nearby creek.
Established in 1955, it’s a city-owned forest covering over 2,350 acres and is one of the oldest and largest of the municipal forests in the US. It started as a community concept of a forest for conservation and sustainable forestry and has developed into a very much loved urban forest for both residents and visitors.
The forest is a living example of Arcata's commitment to sustainability and stewardship. It's managed for both recreation and ecological health and contains a healthy population of old growth and second growth redwoods, Douglas firs, and a wide variety of native plants and animals.
The City of Arcata has an award-winning management plan which seeks to achieve a balance between selective harvesting, habitat protection, public access, and scientific research.
People come here for the trees, of course. There are miles and miles of multi-use trails running through the forest connecting picnic areas, viewpoints and hidden groves.
It's a place for the hiker, the mountain biker, the runner, and anyone else looking for a place to just get away and be still. It's not just a forest, really; it's a daily escape right on the edge of town. You can just walk in, take a breath, and be in the forest.
Arcata Community Forest: Fun Facts & Cool Features
This landmark is renowned for its extensive network of over 14 miles of trails, from the very easy to the quite challenging. The Upper Janes Creek Trail is one of the most popular routes, following a lively stream and crossing several rustic wooden bridges. There are other trails which go up into the hills, offering great views over the city and across Humboldt Bay. Trail markers and maps at key junctions make it easy to find your way, even if you're doing it for the first time.
The forest is absolutely alive with wildlife. You're likely to see black-tailed deer, foxes, and a multitude of birds (owls, woodpeckers, songbirds etc). In spring and early summer, the undergrowth is full of wildflowers and the air is sweet with the smell of bay leaf and redwood sorrel. Mushroom hunters come in the wet season in search of chanterelles and other edible fungi.
For families, there are picnic areas and open spaces ideal for a laid-back afternoon. Mountain bikers will be in their element with the range of single track and multi-use trails. The forest is also very much used by local schools and universities for outdoor education and research. There are interpretive signs along the main routes telling the story of the forest's ecology, history, and conservation.
Arcata Community Forest is more than just a forest of trees. It's a living, breathing green space that provides recreation, education, and sustainable land management.
Local Tips
- Wear proper footwear; trails can be muddy after the rain.
- Leashed dogs are permitted on most trails.
- Early mornings are quiet and ideal for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
- Restrooms and picnic tables are near the main entrances.
