Explore the Coast at the Arcata Marsh

The City of Arcata and the California State Coastal Conservancy encourages everyone to go outdoors to explore and experience our beautiful coast. Explore the coast by visiting the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, a renowned location for wildlife watching, a heavily used recreational area, and a remnant of historical uses of the area. Make sure to stop by the Interpretive Center to pick up any needed brochures or maps, check out binoculars for wildlife viewing, and to learn more about the Marsh! 

Self-Guided Walk

Don't have time to attend one of our weekly Saturday tours? No worries! The Interpretive Center offers brochures for a self-guided walk around the Butcher's Slough Log Pond. The trail consists of an easy, two-thirds-of-a-mile loop. 

Stop by the Interpretive Center to pick up the self-guided trail brochure, or download one by clicking here. A Spanish language version is also available by clicking here.

Children Activities 

The Interpretive Center houses several educational displays and hosts numerous educational events throughout the year, especially in the summer. Here are a few fun things children can do at the Marsh! 

Jr. Marsh Explorer Activity Handbook

This activity handbook introduces young explorers to the plants, animals, and wastewater treatment system that are all part of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. Pick one up at the Interpretive Center or download it for free by clicking here. A Spanish language version is also available by clicking here.

Marsh Madness Adventure Quest 

Quests are scavenger hunts with interpretive clues leading you through many North Coast parks. The Marsh Madness Adventure Quest is designed specifically for the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. At the end of this quest, you will need to answer a question at the Interpretive Center to earn your official Marsh Madness Adventure Quest patch. 

Summer Camps

The Arcata Recreation Division offers a wide variety of summer camps for youth ages 4-17. Some of these camps take place at the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. For more information click here.

Coastal Conservancy "Explore the Coast" Grant Program

In 2017 and 2018, the California Coastal Conservancy's "Explore the Coast" grant program provided funding that enabled Arcata summer camp students to attend a cruise of Humboldt Bay on the Madaket vessel. This program also funded opportunities for non-Arcata camps in the area to visit the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Two new interpretive exhibits at the Marsh and Spanish translations of existing educational materials were also funded through the Coastal Conservancy's "Explore the Coast" grant program.