There’s something almost cinematic about the drive east on Highway 299. As the road slips through forested hills, Salmon Mountain rises in the distance, its rugged ridges shifting with every turn. It’s the kind of drive that invites you to slow down, roll down the windows and take it all in.

Before reaching Blue Lake, a quick stop at Murphy’s Market off the Glendale exit sets the stage for the perfect day. The deli crafts hefty sandwiches and you can find local goodies like tangy Cypress Grove cheese and Dick Taylor chocolate to round out your picnic.

Hop back on the highway and in just a few minutes, the charming town of Blue Lake comes into view — small, friendly and wrapped in the gentle curves of the Bad’u’wat (Mad River). Wide gravel bars, smooth stones, and calm, clear water invite kids to splash and skip rocks, friends to explore on paddle boards, and families to spread out in the shade of the trees. There are plenty of gorgeous swimming holes where the sunlight dances across the surface, making time slow down.

If you are a bit more adventurous, just beyond town lies a network of trails built by the Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association (RCMBA) on Green Diamond timber lands — trails that are indeed world-class, but they’re not open to the public without RCMBA membership or day-pass; this access is part of an agreement to protect the land and keep riding legal. RCMBA membership not only unlocks these private trails, but it also supports trail stewardship, legal building, and events, like the annual Mad River Enduro (next up on Sept. 13).

The exciting news is that right in town, a public bike park is taking shape on Taylor Way, via a collaboration between RCMBA and the Humboldt Skatepark Collective. Designed for all ages and abilities, it’s already partially open, with more features set to roll out this summer.

When the sun begins its slow descent, there’s nowhere better to land than the patio at Paskenta Mad River Brewery. Since 2024, the Paskenta Mad River Brewery has been owned and operated by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, making it one of the first tribally owned breweries in the U.S. — a meaningful shift from Yurok to Nomlaki stewardship that’s sparking a new cultural legacy. This isn’t about logo swaps; it’s about amplifying Indigenous voices through craft beer and sustainable practices that echo well beyond the taproom.

Under new leadership, the brewery is installing a state-of-the-art canning line that will triple canning capacity by year’s end, so favorites like the flagship Steelhead Extra Pale Ale — winner of multiple Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup Medals — will soon reach even more shelves in bright new 12-pack cans.

Out on the sunny patio, locals and visitors gather around picnic tables with pints of Steelhead or glasses of crisp cider, sharing stories from the day. The Mad River Kitchen menu is worth lingering over: crispy chicken Parmesan sandwiches, wedge salads piled high with bacon and blue cheese, and pub favorites like perfectly fried sweet potato fries. Games of cornhole hum with conversation and on some nights, you can catch live music or trivia.

It’s the kind of day that reminds you why there’s no need to travel far to experience something truly extraordinary. Between the natural beauty of the Bad’u’wat, the thrill of the trails, and an evening shared over local brews and laughter, Blue Lake captures so much of what makes Humboldt so special. So next time you’re looking for a little escape, remember that you can find greatness right here at home—just another reason to Choose Humboldt.

Charlene Cook is the program director of Humboldt Made.