Region C: Urban Corridor – Arcata North

Arcata, McKinleyville, and the Samoa Peninsula (Urban Corridor – Arcata North) offer a rich array of trails complemented by some surprisingly pleasant urban and road walking opportunities. In addition, several new trails are in the planning stages, such as the McKinleyville Community Services District efforts to extend the Mid-Town Trail or formalize the existing social trail that follows the Mad River south from the end of Ocean Drive. Soon the Arcata Ridge Trail will link West End Road with Sunny Brae and the Bay Trail will forge on south along the North Coast Railroad Authority right-of-way. And Manila has been funded for a multi-modal path along the north side of CA 255. These are all exciting developments.

The bay and beaches, dunes and marshes, bottomlands, and redwood forests make for a variety of settings for the many walking options in this Urban Corridor. While the beloved Hammond Trail, the Ma-le’l Dunes, the Arcata Community Forest, and Arcata Marsh are the most widely known walking resources, many other possibilities exist. A spring walk among the blossoms of Azalea Park Natural Reserve or an evening on the grounds of Potawot Village or a weekend stroll through the beautiful Humboldt State University campus are unique resources rarely considered. Enjoy the recently completed South Fork Janes Creek Loop or the surprisingly strenuous Beith Creek Loop.

17. McKinleyville Mid Town Trail Loop
18. Hammond Trail
    1. Hiller Park –School Road Loop
19. Chah-GAH-Cho Trail
20. Azalea State Preserve
21. Mad Rivcr/Arcata Bottoms (Several Options)
22. Potawot Health Village
23. Arcata Historical/Architectural Walk
24. Arcata Community Forest
    1. Redwood Park
    2. Fickle Hill Road
25. Arcata Ridge Trail – South Fork Janes Creek Loop Trail
26. Arcata Ridge Trail — Beith Creek Loop Trail
27. Humboldt State University – Campus Walk
28. Jacoby Creek Forest Trail
29. Arcata Marsh
    1. Shorebird Loop
    2. Central Marsh Circuit
    3. The Oxidation Pond Loop
30. Bay Trail North (Arcata City Trail)
    1. Samoa south to Jacoby Creek
31. Ma-le’l Dunes
32. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center
33. Manila Dunes Recreational Area
    1. North Side Highway 255 Trail
34. Samoa Loop
35. North Jetty Area – Samoa Boat Ramp County Park and Samoa Dunes Recreation Area (BLM)

Other options in the area that deserve a short mention – Lanphere Dunes (access is permit only), Golf Course Loop, Panorama Drive, Kokte Ranch, Lynn Vietor Nature Trail