Boat ramp guide
Fields Landing Boat Ramp
Fields Landing, Humboldt County, CA
Overview
Fields Landing Boat Ramp is a free Humboldt County launch at the end of Railroad Avenue in Fields Landing, on the east shore of South Humboldt Bay just south of Eureka. The County calls it the Jimmy Smith Fields Landing Boat Launch Facility.
The ramp
The County charges no fee to use it. Besides the ramp, there's a fishing area and a picnic area. Canoes and kayaks launch here too, and it's a jumping-off point for the South Spit Management Area and the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The County expanded the parking, added lighting and installed a tsunami warning siren.
What's different about boating here
South Humboldt Bay turns into mudflats at low tide, so check the tide tables and know where the main channel runs before you head out. The County warns that swells and tidal currents can make the water turbulent near the main channel. Plan your return before the ebb strands you on the flats.
Nearby
The Fields Landing Boat Yard sits at the south end of town on Harbor District property. Reincke Marine Fabrication runs it, and it has a 150-ton mobile hoist, open-air storage for boats up to 100 feet and a do-it-yourself yard.
Getting there & access
By road
Exit US-101 at Fields Landing, south of Eureka, and follow Railroad Avenue to its end at the bay.
Tides
The southern bay becomes mudflats at low tide. Check tide tables before launching and plan to be back before the water drops.
Heading to the main channel
Swells and tidal currents can cause turbulence near the main channel. Use caution, especially in small boats and paddlecraft.
Paddlers
Kayaks and canoes can launch here to explore the South Spit Management Area and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Amenities
- Launch ramp — Free public ramp into South Humboldt Bay
- Parking and lighting — Expanded lot with light poles
- Fishing area — Shoreline fishing at the ramp
- Picnic area — Next to the launch
- Tsunami siren — Warning siren at the site
- Boat yard nearby — 150-ton hoist, storage to 100 ft, DIY yard
Rules & official resources
- There are no fees to use the facility
- Check tide tables before visiting; the southern bay becomes mudflats at low tide
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
- Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving vessel under California law
Common boat service needs here
Haul-out and bottom work
The Harbor District boat yard next door handles haul-outs, so owners here often combine trips with bottom painting and repairs.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Fiberglass repair
Running aground on the soft mudflats or hitting debris in the channel can damage hulls and keels.
Find Fiberglass, Gelcoat & Structural Repair providers →Engine service
Salt water and silt drawn into cooling intakes in the shallow bay wear impellers and clog strainers.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 6, 2026