How to Get a Lost Coast Trail Permit
Planning ahead? See the 2026 Lost Coast Trail reservation dates →
California's longest undeveloped coastline - 25 miles of beach beneath the King Range where the mountains meet the sea. Here's how to reserve your permit and time your hike around the tides.
Check Availability25 mi
Point-to-Point
3-4 days
Typical Duration
~5 mi
Longest Tide Zone
Year-round
Reservations Open
The Tides Are the Real Permit Test
Getting the reservation is straightforward - no lottery, just book on Recreation.gov. The actual challenge is timing your hike around tide charts. Roughly a third of the route crosses zones that are impassable at high tide, including one stretch of about 5 miles. Get the timing wrong and you're trapped between the cliffs and the incoming Pacific.
How the Permit Works
Booked through Recreation.gov, managed by the BLM King Range National Conservation Area
Reservation system - first to book gets the date, no lottery involved
Popular summer weekends fill up, but cancellations happen regularly
Standard route runs Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach near Shelter Cove
Get Lost Coast Trail Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
4 Tips for a Smooth Hike
Get the Current Tide Chart
Pick up or print a tide chart specific to your hike dates before you start. Plan your daily mileage around low-tide windows, not the other way around.
Book Shoulder Season for Easier Availability
Spring and fall have lighter demand than summer weekends, plus better wildlife viewing - sea lion and seal pups show up March through July at Sea Lion Gulch.
Watch for Cancellations
Because it's reservation-based, not a lottery, a sold-out date can open up the moment someone cancels. PermitSnag alerts you the instant that happens.
Arrange Your Shuttle Early
This is a point-to-point hike between two trailheads roughly 25 miles apart by trail (much farther by road). Book a shuttle service well before your trip.
Key Points Along the Route
Mattole Beach Trailhead
Northern terminus. Last services for 25 miles.
Punta Gorda Lighthouse
Mile 2.4 - decommissioned 1951 lighthouse and first tide-sensitive area.
Sea Lion Gulch
Mile 4.7 - prime wildlife viewing, best March-July.
Big Flat / Miller Flat
Mile 16.6 - start of the longest impassable tide zone.
Black Sands Beach
Mile 25 - southern terminus at Shelter Cove, road access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hike the Lost Coast Trail?
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Yes. Any overnight trip on the Lost Coast Trail's Mattole-to-Black Sands section requires a reservation through Recreation.gov, managed by the BLM King Range National Conservation Area. It's a reservation system, not a lottery - book as soon as your dates open.
How do I find Lost Coast Trail reservations?
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Reservations open on a rolling window through Recreation.gov. Because there's no lottery, popular summer weekend dates can book out quickly, but cancellations happen often - PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a date opens up.
Why does tide timing matter so much on the Lost Coast?
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About a third of the 25-mile route crosses sections that are impassable at high tide, including one stretch of roughly 5 miles. Hikers must consult tide charts and time their crossings for low tide windows, or risk being trapped between the cliffs and the incoming ocean.
How long does it take to hike the Lost Coast Trail?
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Most hikers take 3-4 days to cover the full 25-mile point-to-point route from Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove, with about 2,500 feet of cumulative elevation gain - almost entirely at or near sea level.
What's the best season for the Lost Coast Trail?
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Late spring and fall offer the most reliable weather and the fewest hikers. Spring (March-April) also brings newborn seal and sea lion pups at Sea Lion Gulch. Winter storms and summer fog are both common - check conditions close to your trip.
Don't Miss Your Lost Coast Dates
Cancellations happen regularly on booked-out weekends. PermitSnag monitors Lost Coast Trail availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a date opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
