Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary

The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is on the northern portion of Humboldt Bay. It is on the Pacific Flyway, which is a beautiful area that is known for the thousands of birds that migrate through this area at the change of the season. While visiting, we did not witness this, but we saw pictures of incredible migrations. The birds fly to California and further up north to breed during the spring and summer months before flying all the way to Central and South America for the winter months.

After visiting the Interpretive Center, we learned that this area is even more unique. There are hundreds of acres of marshes here, including some tidal waters that come in. The state integrated the use of wastewater treatment along with the natural processes found in this area to build and maintain these wetlands. It’s quite an interesting story. In the center, it’s also possible to learn a great deal about the birds here.

One of the nice things we saw along our walk throughout the area was that Audubon Nature Walks take place throughout the area each Saturday morning at 8:30. You just need to meet at the sign along the path to participate.

There is ongoing work here to continue to maintain the sanctuary and the marshes. There’s a lot of work in areas of trail maintenance and habitat restoration, which may make it hard to see some areas depending on the work that’s being done.

Our Experience At Arcata Marsh

The Arcata Marsh is located just off S. 1st Street near the Brackish Pond. Follow S. 1st Street all the way down until you reach the sign for the Arcata to Eureka Bike Trail. You will see the Marsh along the western side of the road and the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center to the east, along a small path.

The area is beautiful and open. You will see beautiful mountains in the backdrop with some of the best wildlife views in the region. Take the time to take in the rolling hills and mountains in the backdrop here. Part of the path takes you around Brackish Pond, which is large enough to create some pretty impressive views.

Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary provides a home for the 300 bird species in this area. Even when they are not migrating, it is easy to see some outstanding natural habitats here. Bring your binoculars to get an up-close look at the areas, including birds of every color. It’s certainly not allowed to feed the birds, and there’s no need to because the area is teaming with life, including in the water.

One of the best ways to experience the area is to walk along the trails. There are about five miles to enjoy, but it’s easy enough to turn around at any given point. There’s dense brush on either side of parts of the walkway, and it feels so secluded and private. Often, you’ll walk under beautiful, old trees that create a beautiful archway over the path. It’s possible to come right up to the water in various areas to get a sense of the area.

On the day I came, there were flocks of birds in the water. It’s so mesmerizing to sit and watch them enjoy the water, swim contently, and every once in a while dive in to some insect or fish that got too close.

One of the best things to do is to take one of the guided bird walks. These are held at various times of the year, usually at least one time a week. These walks provide a way to really see all that the area has done. The guided walks are fantastic for those who want to learn about the marshes and dive into the history of the area. We took a guided trip, and throughout it, we were able to see some of the best nesting areas and small ecosystems that we would easily have missed any other day. This is also a great way to learn about how you can volunteer if you are local to the area.

Sanctuary Info and Rules

The Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary spans 307 acres that include both freshwater and saltwater marshes, tidal sloughs, and grassy areas. For those visiting for the first time, visit the Interpretive Center to learn a great deal about this area and its history.

One of the most important rules here is not to feed the wildlife. The area is open from 4 am until an hour after sunset. You can bring your dog, but they have to remain on a leash throughout that visit. Also, and very importantly, you have to remain on the trails and roadways to protect the marshes and wildlife in the area. There is no hunting in this area, and fishing is very restricted (you can only fish in the area of Klopp Lake, which is a designated area).

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