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| Home > California > Samoa Sand Dunes |
Samoa Sand Dunes
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, Samoa Dunes, Humboldt Bay, Eureka Sand Dunes, Arcata Bay, Samoa Boat Ramp Campground, Samoa Dunes Rubicon Trail |
| Last Known Status | Open |
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Humboldt Bay, this area offers 220 acres of wide and sandy trails that wind through scattered ammunition bunkers from WW2 and interesting coastal vegetation. There are no real "dunes" here, but you can ride on the beach.
The BLM recently expanded the 4x4 crawl/play area by adding additional obstacles and a picnic area. The park is regularly maintained and is patrolled by rangers.
The main staging area is for day-use only but the paved campground that is located just before the main entrance offers bay views and direct trail access.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Yes (96 inches) | Whip Flags Required For Safety |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Some Areas | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) Camping only allowed at Samoa Boat Ramp Campground |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | No | Dunes open 1 hour before sunrise to1 hour after sunset |
| Trail Blazing | Some Areas | |
| Alcohol | Prohibited | |
| Rule Enforcement | Few/Periodic |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 220 acres | |
| Miles Of Trail | 2 | |
| Climate Type | Coastal | |
| Elevation | 0 to 30 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Heavily Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  None | |
| Hard Pack | None | |
| Sand |  All | paddle or sand tire recommended for best experience |
| Mud | None | |
| Dust | None | |
| Rocks | None | |
| Trees | None | |
| Steep Hills | None | |
| Water Crossings | None | |
| Small Jumps |  Some | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | None | |
| Intersections |  Many | |
| Rider Traffic | Some | |
| Shade | None | |
| Ranges/Gunfire | None | |
| Hazards |  Few | (hazards not marked) High/Rogue Tides |
 Novice |  Mostly | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | None |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails, Off-Road Dunes |
| Land | BLM |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Shell (707) 445-4445 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Shell (707) 445-4445 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Eureka |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Redwood Acres Fairground (707) 445-3037 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Redwood Acres Fairground (707) 445-3037 |
| Campground | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Samoa Boat Ramp Campground (707) 445-7651 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Ray's Food Place (707) 442-9261 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | Yes ($10.00 per person) Day use fee for hikers or cyclists. |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $25.00 RV: $25.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $5.00 Only one additional vehicle is allowed per campsite. Dogs - $2/each (service dogs exempt). Firewood - $6/bundle. |
| Comment | Camping is only permitted at the Samoa Boat Ramp Campground. |
RATINGS
| Pros | free, nearby campground offers direct dune access, both staging areas can accommodate large RVs/trailers, beautiful coastal scenery, close to nearby Eureka, open year-round |
| Cons | campground consists of a paved parking lot with no shade or hookups |
| Our Rating |  Very Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Eureka, CA | ||
| Address | 1710 New Navy Base Road, Samoa, CA 95564 | ||
| From: Eureka, CA
1) Take US-101 to intersection for SR-255 North 2) Turn north on SR-255, continue about 2 miles 3) After crossing bridge turn left on New Navy Base Road, continue about 5 miles 4) Turn right into staging area. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | BLM - Arcata Field Office 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521-4573 (707) 825-2300 blm_ca_listening@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
| Contact Info | Samoa Boat Ramp Campground 1106 2nd Street Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 445-7651 cao@co.humboldt.gov humboldtgov.org |
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
The wet sand on the beach is a popular place to air it out, but there are also some more interesing sand trails.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
The small system of semi-marked trails runs throughout, but there are some open areas as well.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Most of the trails look something like this, winding in and out of the grass along the beach.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
This trail connects the camping area to the beach. ATVs are limited to 10mph until inside the riding area.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
The beach is littered with military bunkers like this one, which are cool to check out.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
The camping area is just a large paved parking lot. Only a few of the perimter sites have any grass.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
You can ride on the beach also, and there are some unique parts that wind through the driftwood.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
There is the Samoa Dunes Rubicon Trail, a small 4x4 obstacle course that is tame by most standards and gets very little use.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Another shot of the trails that connect the camping area to the other staging areas and play areas.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Another typical example of the trails that run along the beach.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
This is the main day-use staging area. It has restrooms, picnic tables, and a loading ramp. There is also a boardwalk to hike.
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Samoa Sand Dunes OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 6/23/2019 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS