Contrary to its name, the town of Blue Lake has been without a lake for many, many years. In the mid-1800s when settlers were moving into Humboldt County, Blue Lake drew swimmers from miles around. The lake was formed by Mad River floodwaters and eventually disappeared, but the town that grew around it remained.

  Located six miles east of Arcata on Highway 299, Blue Lake is a quiet town with around 1,170 residents. In the summer, the town is frequently 10 to 20 degrees warmer than nearby Arcata and tends to be colder in the winter.

  There is a small downtown area with several businesses, including a New Mexico-inspired spa and a coffee shop that frequently doubles as a restaurant and unofficial community center across the street.

  The Dell’Arte Physical Theatre is the largest building downtown and draws thousands of visitors for outdoor performances during the summer. Many plays can be enjoyed there all year, but most notable is their Mad River Festival in late June and early July.

  This corresponds with the town’s Annie and Mary Day Celebration that takes place on the third Sunday in July. Fiddling music, arts and crafts, baseball games, a parade and a pageant are among the day’s events.

  The Blue Lake Industrial Park is home to several important businesses as well. Mad River Brewing Co., Wallace & Hinz custom furniture, and Tomaso’s specialty foods are important employers in the community.

  Blue Lake Casino is also a large employer and offers visitors a variety of gaming opportunities, and hosts several fun events throughout the year.

  Fishermen enjoy spending their days along the Mad River. The Mad River Hatchery is a fun place for children and adults and hosts dozens of field trips for area elementary students. The hatchery works to enhance North Coast salmon and steelhead populations in local rivers and streams. Seeing the fish in several stages of growth is a great learning experience for children and adults.