Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area
Where Redwood Country Meets the Pacific Lagoon
Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area occupies the shores of Big Lagoon in Humboldt County, California — a stunning coastal lagoon separated from the Pacific Ocean by a narrow sand spit. Located just north of Trinidad and south of Orick, this park sits in the heart of California’s redwood coast, where the tallest trees on Earth grow within sight of crashing Pacific waves.
Big Lagoon stretches roughly two miles long and up to half a mile wide, creating a protected body of water dramatically different from the open ocean just a sand dune away. The contrast is striking: on one side, thundering surf and driftwood-strewn beaches; on the other, calm lagoon waters reflecting the surrounding forested hills.
Paddling the Lagoon
Big Lagoon is one of the best flatwater paddling destinations on California’s North Coast. The protected waters offer ideal conditions for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding — especially for beginners and families who want to be on the water without dealing with ocean currents or surf.
The lagoon’s calm surface provides excellent opportunities for bird watching from the water. Great blue herons, egrets, osprey, and migratory waterfowl use the lagoon extensively. During fall and winter, the lagoon becomes a staging area for thousands of ducks and geese traveling the Pacific Flyway.
Fishing Between Fresh and Salt Water
Big Lagoon’s unique hydrology — it periodically opens and closes to the ocean depending on sand movement and water levels — creates a dynamic fishery. When the lagoon connects to the Pacific, saltwater species enter the system. During closed periods, it functions as a freshwater lake. This cycle supports a diverse fish population including coastal cutthroat trout, perch, and flounder.
Shore fishing from the lagoon’s edges is the most common approach, though kayak fishing allows access to deeper pockets. Always check current California fishing regulations, as lagoon-specific rules may apply.
The Sand Spit and Ocean Beach
The sand spit separating Big Lagoon from the Pacific Ocean creates a unique hiking experience — walk along the lagoon shore, cross the narrow dune, and you’re standing on a wild, often deserted Pacific beach. On clear days, views extend north toward the mouth of the Klamath River and south toward Trinidad Head.
This stretch of coast receives heavy winter storms that deposit massive driftwood logs on the beach — entire old-growth tree trunks rolled smooth by the ocean. The driftwood, combined with frequent fog and dramatic skies, makes this one of the most photogenic beaches in Northern California.
Gateway to the Redwoods
The recreation area sits along Highway 101 in the corridor between Redwood National Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Within a 15-minute drive, you can walk through groves of 300-foot coastal redwoods — the tallest living organisms on Earth. The combination of world-class forest and coastal lagoon in such close proximity is unique to this stretch of California.
