Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Humboldt County, California run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.
- Closure: Hookton Slough Unit Temporary Closure The Hookton Slough Unit will be closed August 31, 2026 through October 2, 2026 for trail resurfacing. This includes the parking area, trail and boat launch. Please do not enter. Construction equipment will be in use. Thank you for your patience while we work to improve the area for your safety and enjoyment.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge map
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.
Common questions
- Yes. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Hunting is allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
- Yes. Fishing is allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
- No. Dogs are not allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.
- Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Hookton Road tour route (3 miles).
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
There is no entrance fee at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
- Humboldt Bay Visitor CenterOpen seasonally.1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA
What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, boating, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.
Sources: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay, checked 2026-09-28; fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Auto tour route
- Hookton Road tour route3 miScenic driving and walking route on the south bay unit
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Wildlife
- BirdPeregrine falcon
- BirdBald eagle
- InvertebrateThreatened and endangered species
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay, checked 2026-09-28.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Hunting rules for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Dogs are not allowed on Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Pets not allowed on the refuge as stated by the refuge.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay, checked 2026-09-28.
Trails
- Beach Pine TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Drifting Sands TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Hookton Slough TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- MDU Dap Loop TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- MDU Hout TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- MDU Kimuk TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- MDU Tsoutsgish TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- MDU Viqhul TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Salt Marsh TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Shorebird Loop TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Silver Bee TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
- Sitka Spruce TrailSigned refuge trail; see refuge map for closures
Source: fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- BLM unitCalifornia Coastal National Monument is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkFort Humboldt State Historic Park is 2.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkAzalea State Natural Reserve, a state park, is 2.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- BLM unitHeadwaters Forest Reserve, a BLM unit, is 3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1430 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)