King Range National Conservation Area · California
California's longest stretch of undeveloped coastline: a 25-mile beach traverse beneath the dramatic King Range where the mountains meet the sea.
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70% of the openings our scanner caught on Lost Coast were gone within 10 minutes.
Mattole Beach Trailhead
Northern terminus at the mouth of the Mattole River. Last services for 25 miles.
As of September 2026, Lost Coast in King Range National Conservation Area, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Lost Coast is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Lost Coast permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Lost Coast route covers 24.6 miles, rated strenuous.
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More on Lost Coast: Live availability activityWhen Lost Coast permits open upChance of an openingLost Coast Trail Overnight permit itinerary
Walk California's wildest coastline: 25 miles of undeveloped beach beneath 4,000-foot mountains that plunge directly into the Pacific.
The Lost Coast Trail traverses 25 miles of California's most rugged and remote coastline within the King Range National Conservation Area. It is famous for its 'impassable zones': sections that disappear under the ocean at high tide, requiring careful planning and tide chart navigation.
Unlike traditional mountain trails, most of the Lost Coast is walked on sand, cobblestones, and slippery boulders, making progress slower than typical hiking. Most parties take 3-4 days to complete the traverse.
From Mattole Beach, the trail follows grassy coastal bluffs before dropping to sand. The decommissioned Punta Gorda Lighthouse appears at mile 2.4, your first navigation checkpoint and a reminder of how treacherous this coast once was for ships.
Between Sea Lion Gulch and Randall Creek, the first major impassable zone demands respect. You'll watch the tide charts, time your crossing, and scramble over bowling-ball cobbles that exhaust your ankles. Spanish Flat offers respite, and rumors of buried treasure.
The middle section passes Miller Flat's hidden surf breaks and the longest impassable stretch (5 miles). Finally, Black Sands Beach appears: dark volcanic sand marking Shelter Cove and the end of California's wildest walk.
The 'Lost Coast' earned its name because Highway 1 was forced inland here: the King Range rises so steeply from the ocean that building a coastal road proved impossible. This 60-mile stretch remains the longest undeveloped coastline in California, a rare place where black bears roam the beaches and elephant seals haul out on the sand.
The Lost Coast strips hiking down to its essence: you, the sea, and 25 miles of wild coastline. The rhythm is dictated not by mileage but by tides: consulting your tide chart becomes as instinctive as checking the trail. There's something primordial about navigating by sea level, watching the Pacific pulse against rocks that could trap you if you time it wrong. The reward is a coastline unchanged since the Sinkyone people walked it centuries ago.
Best for: Experienced backpackers comfortable with route-finding, tide navigation, and remote wilderness travel.
Recommended experience: Multi-day backpacking experience required. Ability to read and navigate by tide charts is essential.
Not recommended for: Hikers unfamiliar with tide charts, those uncomfortable with significant isolation, or anyone with weak ankles.
Trailhead information
10 ft elevation
Northern terminus of the Lost Coast Trail at the mouth of the Mattole River.
Small parking area fills on weekends. No overnight parking for multi-day trips. Arrange shuttle.
Remote location. 3 hours from Eureka via winding roads. Last gas in Petrolia.
Petrolia (20 miles) has a small store. Full services in Garberville (40 miles) or Eureka (70 miles).
Trailhead information
10 ft elevation
Southern terminus with easier road access. Most hikers end here after hiking north to south.
Larger parking area with overnight options. Shuttle companies operate from here.
25 miles from US 101 via Shelter Cove Road. Paved but winding.
Shelter Cove has restaurants, a small store, and a motel.
May through September offers the best weather, though fog is common year-round. Spring brings wildflowers and more dramatic seas. Fall has the most stable weather. Winter is possible but challenging due to storms and short days.
Trailhead (0 ft)
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Sunset from the beach anywhere along the route offers dramatic light against the King Range peaks. Punta Gorda Lighthouse at golden hour is iconic.
Early morning fog creates moody, ethereal conditions. Clear days offer better mountain-and-sea compositions.
Weekdays in spring and fall have the fewest hikers. The trail is relatively uncrowded even in peak season due to permit limits.
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Lost Coast.
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Lost Coast · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Lost Coast cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Lost Coast permits use a reservation system.
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
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The southern 35 miles from Shelter Cove to Usal Beach through Sinkyone Wilderness is less crowded and has no tide restrictions.
More road-accessible but rougher trail conditions. Less dramatic coastline but more solitude.
Day hikes from Black Sands Beach or Mattole Beach let you experience the Lost Coast without the full commitment.
No overnight permit needed for day use. Misses the full experience but allows a taste of the coastline.
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