Ma-le'l Dunes CMA

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.

NPS Press Release: Department of the Interior Designates National Natural Landmarks in California, Colorado and West Virginia

Overview

Ma-‘e’l Dunes offers a range of recreational opportunities that allow visitors to experience a diverse and dynamic coastal landscape of forests and salt marshes, sand dunes and beaches.

Ma-le’l Dunes includes 937 acres cooperatively managed by the BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It is a National Natural Landmark, a designation given by the National Park Service recognizing
its outstanding coastal dune ecosystem. 

The northern portion of Ma-le’l is part of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (HBNWR). Trail access is limited pedestrians only. The road to the northern parking lot is closed to vehicles Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in order to provide visitors with more of a “wilderness” experience.

The BLM manages the southern 206 acres for hiking, dog walking, and horseback riding on designated trails. Please protect natural and cultural resources by observing visitor guidelines. Please Remember these rules and regulations as you explore Ma-le'l Dunes:

• The area is open from sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• North Ma-le'l entrance road is open to vehicles Friday through Monday. Tuesday through Thursday it is open by walking or biking in from the Ma-le'l South Trailhead parking area.
• Dune vegetation is fragile cannot tolerate trampling. Hiking is allowed only on designated trails and in open sandy areas.
• Horses are allowed only on designated BLM trails and on the waveslope to protect the fragile dune ecosystems. Please remove manure from the parking area.
• Dogs are allowed only on BLM property and must be leashed in the developed recreation sites (parking/picnic area), otherwise dogs are allowed off-leash but under the owner’s control at all times.
• Firearms are not allowed.
• Motorized vehicle use is not allowed.
• Overnight camping is not allowed.
• To protect rare salt marsh plants, boat launching or landing is not allowed.

For more information please contact:

• Bureau of Land Management
• Arcata Field Office
  707-825-2300
  https://www.blm.gov/office/arcata-field-office

• Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• (707) 822-6378 or (707) 733-5406
  Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The Ma-le'l Dune Unit is located south of Lanphere Dunes at the upper end of the North Spit of Humboldt Bay, west of Mad River Slough. A refuge for those looking for a different kind of hiking experience.

Take Young Rd off of Hwy 255 in the northern part of Manila and follow signs.