Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Arcata, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
As of 7/9/25, the Humboldt bay trail has been extended to connect to the Eureka waterfront trail. We started at the Larson Park parking lot and headed south. It took about 10 minutes to get through the city part of Arcata with many street crossings. After that, it was clear sailing all the way to Eureka. We turned back at 10 miles but I believe the trail connects to the waterfront trail. Great ride.
My son and I rode this trail’s entire length. It has nice river views and a decent little park for parking and trail access near its middle. Overall, it was sort of boring and bumpy with embedded rocks. Lots of walkers, which it is better suited for. We saw no other cyclists during our bumpy ride. Glad we did it, but wouldn’t bother to do it again.
Great trail surface. Beautiful views of Humboldt Bay. Stop by the 707 bar for an Eel River Amber¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
The trail is well maintained. The Eel River is lovely with trees, greenery, and flowers lining the bank. On the other side are several industrial businesses. It is nice to have open spaces to stretch the legs.
This trail runs along the Eureka waterfront. Not a particularly picturesque place. The path itself was good. Took us through interesting lumber industry activities. Quite a few homeless on and near the path.
Surprising peaceful for being off a main road . Beautiful views !
We parked at the North Clam Beach parking lot. Best section of route is along the beach access road. Once we bicycled onto path surface then trip went downhill. First was a fire on the dunes started by a homeless person, then several homeless people on route sleeping in bushes. Rogers Market on the trail had questionable folks who were very inquisitive about our bicycles. Then the Mad River Bridge while beautiful was covered with graffiti from end to end. Trail ends just as you exit bridge. Never got a really warm, relaxing vibe on this route, and we don’t need to ride this trail again.
Great for dog walks and bike rides . I heard there is river access but I haven’t done too much exploring yet .
Beautiful walk from Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center to Freshwater Slough and back. About 3 miles round trip. Fun bridges. Old train trestle. Great signage of natural and cultural history. Vista/picnic bump outs with landscape art including metalworks benches and castes of Wiyot stools like the ones in the Humboldt State University Native Forum breezeway.
This trail is heavily used, mainly in sections by walkers but lesser so by through bicyclists and runners. hard to maintain an average speed due to street crossings and foot traffic, but hard to beat the ocean views toward the northern end of the trail and the pastoral feel toward the southern terminus!
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