This calendar is for groups wishing to schedule time at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. For public guided walks at Lanphere, please see our Calendar of Events.

Reservation Guidelines

  • All Groups must have a reservation and someone in the group must have been oriented to Lanphere Dunes Use Guidelines and have a current Use Permit prior to the visit.
  • Orientation to the Lanphere Dunes and getting a Use Permit can be accomplished by attending a Docent Guided Walk, held the 1st Saturday of each month. Meet at 10 am at Pacific Union School, 3001 Janes Road, Arcata.
  • It is preferred, but not required, that your group be accompanied by a docent when you visit Lanphere Dunes. This will be arranged when you make your reservation.
  • Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
  • Once you have selected an available date(s), contact Friends of the Dunes to make a reservation. Allow two days for a response.
  • The Lanphere Use Calendar will be updated every two weeks, so don't worry if your reservation does not appear immediately on the website calendar.
  • Thank you in advance for your compliance with these guidelines.

Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The Lanphere Dunes were donated to the refuge in 1998 by The Nature Conservancy and are one of the best examples of a pristine coastal dune system remaining in North America. The dunes contain semi-stable near-shore, seasonal wetlands, moving parabolic dunes, and coniferous forest. Because of this mix of rare habitats the Lanphere Dunes has remarkable native plant diversity. Seven rare plants occur on the Lanphere Dunes including the endangered Humboldt Bay wallflower and beach layia.

Invasive weeds such as European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine, iceplant and English ivy have threatened this unique and diverse ecosystem. Restoration efforts began over 10 years ago. Today, through the successful work of volunteers and work crews, invasive weeds have been largely controlled on the near-shore dunes.

Restoration efforts continue in the forest at Lanphere Dunes and throughout the dunes of the Humboldt Bay area. Guided walks and restoration workdays occur regularly. Calendar of Events

Access to this unit is by written permission only. For more information and to inquire about use permits, call Friends of the Dunes at (707) 444-1397.

For general information about the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, call (707) 822-6378.