Lost Coast Trail Overnight Permit
King Range National Conservation Area
California's longest stretch of undeveloped coastline—a 25-mile beach traverse beneath the dramatic King Range where the mountains meet the sea.
“Walk California's wildest coastline—25 miles of undeveloped beach beneath 4,000-foot mountains that plunge directly into the Pacific.”
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Be notified instantly when Lost Coast permits become available due to cancellations.
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Lost Coast permits become available.
Lost Coast Quick Facts
Key Information
Permit Details
What to Expect
Route Details
Highlights
- •25 miles of beach hiking over sand, cobbles, and boulders (expect 1-1.5 mph pace)
- •Three tide-sensitive zones that are impassable at high tide—tide chart essential
- •Stunning isolation—no roads, no cell service, no escape routes for most of the trail
- •Abundant wildlife including black bears, sea lions, elephant seals, and whales
- •Frequent creek crossings with generally reliable fresh water
Best Time to Visit
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Tides—being caught in an impassable zone can be fatal
- !Rogue waves—never turn your back on the ocean
- !Black bears—they patrol beaches and are bold
- !Hypothermia—fog, wind, and wet conditions are common
- !Twisted ankles—bowling-ball cobbles are treacherous
How to Get This Permit
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Conditions
Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
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.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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 Feeling
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.
Trailhead Information
Mattole Beach Trailhead
10 ft elevationNorthern terminus of the Lost Coast Trail at the mouth of the Mattole River.
Parking
Small parking area fills on weekends. No overnight parking for multi-day trips—arrange shuttle.
Getting There
Remote location. 3 hours from Eureka via winding roads. Last gas in Petrolia.
Nearest Services
Petrolia (20 miles) has a small store. Full services in Garberville (40 miles) or Eureka (70 miles).
Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove)
10 ft elevationSouthern terminus with easier road access. Most hikers end here after hiking north to south.
Parking
Larger parking area with overnight options. Shuttle companies operate from here.
Getting There
25 miles from US 101 via Shelter Cove Road. Paved but winding.
Nearest Services
Shelter Cove has restaurants, a small store, and a motel.
Rules & Regulations
- •Overnight permits required year-round (reservation system via Recreation.gov)
- •Hard-sided bear canisters required—bears are very active on this trail
- •Group size limited to 15 people
- •Fires permitted only on beaches below high tide line
- •Camp only in designated areas or on beach (100+ feet from water)
- •No pets during harbor seal pupping season (March-June)
Gear Checklist
Required
- Bear canister (hard-sided, required)
- Tide chart and knowledge of how to read it
- Sturdy waterproof footwear (wet feet are inevitable)
- Water filter (creek water plentiful but must be treated)
- Rain gear and warm layers (fog and wind common)
Recommended
- Gaiters to keep sand and debris out of boots
- Trekking poles for boulder fields and creek crossings
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Whistle and bear spray
- Satellite communicator (no cell service)
Key Landmarks
Landmarks (9)
Safety & Planning
Emergency Info
Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Lost Coast.
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
Lost Coast FAQ
How do I get a Lost Coast permit?
Lost Coast permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Lost Coast?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Lost Coast permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Lost Coast permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from the beach anywhere along the route offers dramatic light against the King Range peaks. Punta Gorda Lighthouse at golden hour is iconic.
Best Light
Early morning fog creates moody, ethereal conditions. Clear days offer better mountain-and-sea compositions.
Beat the Crowds
Weekdays in spring and fall have the fewest hikers. The trail is relatively uncrowded even in peak season due to permit limits.
Classic Shots
- 📍Punta Gorda Lighthouse with coastal bluffs at sunset
- 📍Sea lions and seals at Sea Lion Gulch
- 📍Black Sands Beach with King Range backdrop
- 📍Tent pitched on beach at sunrise
- 📍Hiking through boulder fields with waves crashing
Can't Get a Lost Coast Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Lost Coast Trail (South Section)
Easier AlternativeThe southern 35 miles from Shelter Cove to Usal Beach through Sinkyone Wilderness is less crowded and has no tide restrictions.
Tradeoffs
More road-accessible but rougher trail conditions. Less dramatic coastline but more solitude.
King Range Day Hikes
Same AreaDay hikes from Black Sands Beach or Mattole Beach let you experience the Lost Coast without the full commitment.
Tradeoffs
No overnight permit needed for day use. Misses the full experience but allows a taste of the coastline.