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Just west of Eureka, a sandy strip of land extends between Humboldt and Arcata bays and the Pacific Ocean. Its several stages of sand dune formation help create a variety of habitat, good for bird watching of several species. Wind-exposed, salt-sprayed dry soils host sparse vegetation on the outer edge, while low-lying areas further inland collect fresh water in winter months and host lush vegetation that attracts varied bird life. The 300-acre parcel set aside as the Samoa Dunes Recreation area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as a multiple-use recreation site.
Activities besides birdwatching include hiking, surfing, fishing, sightseeing, beachcombing, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, picnicking and scientific study of rare plants.
Facilities include an unloading ramp, restroom, tables, cooking grills and a scenic overlook. . From the staging area, riders have easy access to 140 acres of "open" terrain, containing numerous trails and the beach strand. An additional new 75-acre riding area known as Eureka Dunes is now open to OHV use and extends about 1 mile north of the park. The rest of the beach and dunes along the peninsula are closed to vehicle use, except by special permit from the county.
