Lost Coast Trail | California
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
Overview
The Lost Coast Trail offers one of the few coastal hiking experiences in the United States. Hikers will be treated to exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities such as sea lions, elephant seals, river otters, eagles, bobcats, deer and more. Tidepools, teeming with life, line the coast. In spring spectacular arrays of wildflowers cover the hillsides and bluffs. The elephant seal colony at Punta Gorda has experienced significant growth in the last few years. Keep your distance and follow regulations stated below for your protection and theirs.
Know Before You Go
The northern section of the Lost Coast Trail, from Mattole to Black Sands Beach, is 24.6 miles and moderately level with difficult terrain. Research the tides before booking a permit. It is recommended to allow at least three days to accomplish this hike.
- Know before you go-bring appropriate gear.
- Respect wildlife. Keep your dogs leashed and stay at least 150ft back from elephant seals and other animals.
- Water sources are plentiful along the beach with proper filtration systems.
- Be aware of the ocean and tides. Plan thoroughly for the tidal zones along the trail. When in doubt call the King Range Visitor Center (707) 986-5400.
- The area near Punta Gorda; from Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek; and from Miller Flat to Gitchell Creek, are impassable during high tide.
- Avoid private property along the trail.
- No Camping at Black Sands Beach Trailhead
- Camping is allowed, with wilderness permit, North of Telegraph Creek.
The southern section of the Lost Coast Trail, from Hidden Valley to Needle Rock in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, stretches 9 miles with a moderate elevation change.
- The south section of the Lost Coast offers more elevation gain and a different scenery than the northern section.
- Hikers can continue for 19 more miles through the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park if they wish.
- NOTE: Sinkyone Wilderness State Park has different regulations regarding trail use and camping.
Camping
Overnight camping along the Lost Coast Trail requires a Backcountry Permit. Permits can be obtained through Recreation.gov, on the King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast) page. Walk-up permits for a maximum of three individual hikers will be sold daily at the King Range Visitor Center during open hours (Monday - Friday from 8:00 - 4:30). Weekend permits will be sold on Fridays. Before planning your visit or booking a permit, please visit the King Range National Conservation Area page for information such as maps, tide safety, condition reports, and regulations.
Helpful Links
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
No ADA access
More Information
Travel Times
Black Sands Beach to-
• Mattole Recreation Site- 2 hours
• Honeydew- 1 hour 15 minutes
Honeydew to-
• A.W. Way Park- 8 miles, 20 minutes
• Mattole Recreation Site- 18.5 miles, 45 minutes
Smith-Etter Rd./Wilder Ridge Rd. Intersection (Four -Wheel Drive Recommended on this road) to-
• North Slide Peak Trailhead- 7.5 miles, 1 hour
• Kinsey Ridge Trailhead- 10 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes
• Spanish Ridge Trailhead, 12.3 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes
King Peak Rd./Shelter Cove Rd. Intersection to-
• Tolkan Campground- 3.5 miles, 15 minutes
• Horse Mountain Campground- 6.5 miles, 25 minutes
• Lightning Trailhead- 16 miles, 1 hour
• Saddle Mountain Trailhead-10.5 miles, 45 minutes
• Horse Mountain Creek Trailhead- 4.5 miles, 20 minutes
Shelter Cove Rd./Chemise Mountain Rd. Intersection to-
• Hidden Valley Trailhead- 0.25 miles, 1 minute
• Wailaki/Nadelos Campgrounds- 1/2 mile, 5 minutes
• Sinkyone State Park (Needle Rock)- 10 miles, 45 minutes
Contact Us
Activities
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
DIRECTIONS:
The King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) is located about 230 miles north of San Francisco and 60 miles south of Eureka. All roads leading to the King Range NCA are narrow, steep and winding. Allow plenty of time between destinations, have a full tank of gas, and be alert to oncoming traffic.
All main roads are normally accessible to passenger cars except during heavy winter storms. Primitive roads may be closed seasonally. Directional signs mark all major intersections in the King Range NCA giving the road name and distances to primary recreation sites.
NORTH ACCESS: U.S. 101 to the Ferndale exit. Once in Ferndale, follow signs to Petrolia. One mile past Petrolia, turn right on Lighthouse Road; it is 5 more miles to the Mattole Recreation Site. Allow 1 1/2 hours for the 42 mile trip.
CENTRAL ACCESS: U.S. 101 to South Fork - Honeydew exit. Follow the signs to Honeydew (23 Miles). Turn left in Honeydew to Honeydew Creek Recreation Site and Smith-Etter Road. Allow 1 hour for the 24 mile trip. Turn right to Mattole Beach and Trailhead. Allow 45 minutes for the 18.5 mile trip.
SOUTH ACCESS: U.S. 101 to the Redway/Garberville exit. Follow signs to Shelter Cove/King Range NCA. Allow 45 minutes for the 22 mile trip to Shelter Cove.
Fees
Wilderness permits are required for overnight use in the King Range Wilderness. Day use does not require a permit.
Permits are available on an a 90-day rolling reservation system and may be reserved 90-days prior to entry at 7:00 am PST. For example: on 10/1/25, permits will open for 1/1/26; on 10/2/25 for 1/2/26, etc. Permittees are allowed one active permit at a time.
Organized and Commercial groups must obtain a Special Recreation Permit (i.e. outfitters, scout troops, schools, etc.). The maximum group size is 15 people.
Walk up permits for up to 3 starts (people) are available at the King Range Visitor Center by lottery which will be conducted Mon-Sat at 8:00am. Walk up permits that are still available after the lottery will be issued first come/first served.
Permit isn’t officially issued until printed. The permit must be carried by the permittee. You may print your permit 7 days before your entry date. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes.
Fee Policies
Reservation Fee & Special Area Fee
For individuals and family groups:
- Reservation Fee: $6 per permit
- Special Area Fee*: $12 per person, per trip (No fee for youth under 16)
Special Recreation Permit (SRP): Organized and Commercial group fees
- Organized group fee: $7 per person, per day
- Commercial group fee: 3% of total gross earnings
- Commercial group fee (institutional): $7 per person, per day
- Special Area Fee*: $12 per person, per trip (No fee for youth under 16)
There is a minimum $130 fee for all SRP groups. A deposit is due with submission of the application.
For more SRP Information and to request information on how to apply for an SRP, call the King Range Visitor Center (707) 986-5400.
*The King Range Wilderness Special Area Fee is new and based on King Range Business Plan, 2024 and Federal Register Notice. Fees remain in King Range Wilderness to assist maintenance, stewardship and education.