Birdwatching at the Arcata Marsh is endlessly fascinating. The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary offers restored wetlands, open waters, and meandering trails, with an ever-changing habitat that attracts hundreds of bird species year-round. Early morning quiet is broken by the call of songbirds, while afternoons often provide dramatic shorebird activity along the Arcata Marsh Trail. Known to locals as the Arcata Bird Sanctuary for good reason, visitors are treated to close-up views of egrets, herons, ducks, and migratory birds.
Beyond the Arcata Marsh, there are plenty of things to do in Eureka that make the Humboldt County region rich with character. Old Town invites you to wander past Victorian architecture with views of the waterfront. The local food scene is impressive, with chefs who take pride in regional ingredients for thoughtful menus. From coastal drives to forest walks, it’s easy to fill a day with outdoor exploration.
After a full day exploring the Arcata Marsh and the surrounding area, choosing the right Eureka Hotel matters. Carter House Inns offers an elevated lodging experience in a historic setting with refined comfort, right in the heart of Old Town Eureka. Guests appreciate our personalized hospitality, acclaimed onsite restaurant, and an exceptional wine collection. Our Eureka Hotel is the best place to stay while discovering the natural and cultural highlights of the North Coast. Book your stay today!
Birding at the Arcata Marsh & Beyond
Birdwatching in the Arcata Marsh consistently ranks among the most interesting things to do in Humboldt County. Located at the north end of Humboldt Bay along the Pacific Flyway, the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary sits where freshwater and saltwater ecosystems meet, creating conditions where birdlife shifts with the seasons and even the tides. This vital migratory corridor supports hundreds of species traveling between breeding grounds in Canada and their wintering areas in California, Mexico, and Central and South America. A single walk along the Arcata Marsh Trail can reveal dozens of birds, from familiar waterfowl to unexpected migratory visitors passing through. For visitors staying in Eureka, it’s an easy drive and often becomes the highlight of the trip.
The Arcata Marsh Trail winds through more than 300 acres of freshwater marshes, salt marshes, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and grassy uplands, offering roughly five miles of walking and biking paths accessible to most. The marsh is a man-made, cost-effective, and environmentally sound water treatment system. By pairing water management with habitat restoration, the site has earned global recognition for innovation. Despite its role as a treatment facility, the sanctuary has no odor and has become a popular destination for birdwatching, cycling, and walking through an ever-changing landscape.
Songbirds are most active from spring through fall, resident raptors can be seen year-round, and from October through April, the wetlands fill with waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders. The Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center is a great place to start, especially for checking the recent sighting log and learning what species are currently active. Free guided tours through the Redwood Region Audubon Society and weekly Saturday afternoon walks hosted by Friends of the Arcata Marsh offer helpful insights into birds, plants, and the surrounding ecology.
Beyond the Arcata Marsh, Humboldt County continues to attract birders of all experience levels, with more than 400 species recorded across the region.
- The Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge south of Eureka is ideal for spotting large flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl, especially in the winter. Salmon Creek and Hookton Slough offer trails with consistent sightings of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. In February and March, thousands of Aleutian crackling geese descend. The morning flight of the once-endangered birds is a spectacular sight.
- Fay Slough Wildlife Area recorded 196 species spotted with viewing in a quieter setting. The 484-acre wildlife area is a restored wetland home to songbirds, egrets, herons, and raptors.
- The Eureka Waterfront Trail stretches 6.5 miles along Humboldt Bay and is popular for walking, biking, and rollerblading. Along the route, visitors pass sand dune systems, salt marsh, coastal willow, and river habitats, with views of the bay, Eureka Slough, and mountains. Interpreative signs highlight bird species, plant identification, geology, and more.
- A popular section of the Eureka Waterfront Trail is the Hikshari’ Trail. Following the river, this 1.5-mile section offers views and trailside benches. On the 3rd Sunday, the Redwood Region Audubon Society offers a guided birdwalk.
- About a 30-minute drive from Eureka, Russ Park in Ferndale sits between Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Forest. This 105-acre park protects a mature Sitka Spruce Forest, rarer than redwoods, and offers four trails through a designated bird sanctuary, with more than 60 species identified there.
Our Eureka Hotel is the Ideal Home Base
After discovering some of the best birdwatching in Humboldt County, coming back to a place that’s thoughtful and refined makes all the difference. We stand out as the premier Eureka Hotel for those who appreciate history and genuine hospitality. Located in Old Town, our Hotel puts guests close to the waterfront and many of the best things to do in Eureka, while still feeling like a retreat at the end of the day.
One of the highlights of staying at our Eureka Hotel is Restaurant 301. Known for seasonal menus and a polished yet approachable atmosphere, we are a favorite for both guests and locals. Pairing our cuisine with our carefully curated wine collection makes for a memorable dining experience. After an early morning on the Arcata Marsh trail, warm up in your suite’s soaking tub before you settle in for dinner at Restaurant 301. Reserve your room now.
