Ma-le’l Dunes – North Unit

Ma-le’l Dunes is a part of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and managed through the Ma-le’l Dunes Cooperative Management Area. These north and south dunes are owned by different agencies so they have different rules. The Ma-le’l Dunes South Unit (owned by BLM) is open to hiking, horseback riding, and dog walking. This North Unit is owned by the US Fish & Wildlife Service so it is only open to pedestrians. In addition, the road access to the northern lot is closed several days a week to preserve the wilderness experience for those willing to walk north on the road or the beach from the South Unit. To get here, start at Highway 101 in Eureka or Arcata, then take Highway 255 west to the Samoa Peninsula and turn onto Young Lane. To the left is the Ma-le’l Dunes South Unit parking and to the right is Ma-le’l Dunes Road which passes a gun club on the way to the North Unit lot on the slough. Trails enter the dunes from the north parking area and eventually lead to the beach. To the north is Lanphere Dunes which is only accessible if you have a permit, but the beach in front of Lanphere is open any time

Address

Young Ln and Vera Linda Ln
Arcata, CA 95521

Park Name

Ma-le'l Dunes Cooperative Management Area, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Owner

BLM, Fish & Wildlife

Pet Details

No dogs allowed

Fees

Free parking, but gate is only open Friday - Monday

Activities

Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Beach Walking

Amenities

Trails, Dunes, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Seashells, Accessible Features

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart