How to Get a Jones Beach Permit
A beach the park says is not accessible by road, on a coastline where that is the whole point.
Check Jones Beach permit availability$5 per person per night (pay at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock)
Permit Cost
moderate
Difficulty
About Jones Beach
Jones Beach Camp is an environmental camp near the northern end of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The park offers eight environmental camps, two horse camps, and two primitive camps; primitive camps offer drive-in access, while environmental camps do not. Jones Beach itself is roadless. The park's 2006 general plan records that Jones Beach and the beach at Jackass Creek are not accessible by road, so they experience less use compared to Usal or Bear Harbor. The same document — the only agency source that publishes per-camp counts — lists four sites at Jones Beach. Environmental camps cost $5 per person per night, payable at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock, or by mail via check to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. There is no ReserveCalifornia booking; the park's reservation field reads that there are no upcoming camping or lodging reservations at this time. The park's conditions govern everything: there is no potable water, you have to haul out your own trash, and when wet the twisting dirt roads are impassable for passenger cars.
Jones Beach is one of the two places in Sinkyone the park singles out as roadless — and it says so in the context of use levels: Jones Beach and the beach at Jackass Creek are not accessible by road, so they experience less use compared to Usal or Bear Harbor.
The Experience
Black sand and driftwood with nobody on it. Roosevelt elk work the coastal prairies above, and the fog decides how much of the day you get.
Jones Beach Camp is one of Sinkyone's eight environmental camps. Environmental camps do not offer drive-in access; you walk in. It sits near the northern end of the park, and the 2006 Preliminary General Plan groups it with the camps easily accessible from the parking area at Needle Rock House, alongside Streamside and Needle Rock.
That same 2006 document is the only agency source that publishes per-camp site counts, and it records four sites at Jones Beach. No current visitor publication breaks the park's inventory out by camp.
Jones Beach is also a fee collection point: environmental camps and horse camps cost $5 per person per night and are payable at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock, or by mail. Day-use parking is $8 per vehicle per day for Needle Rock and Jones Beach.
What to Expect
An environmental camp with no drive-in access
$5 per person per night, paid on site or by mail
A beach the park describes as not accessible by road
No potable water anywhere in the park
Vault toilets in developed use areas
Briceland Road closed in winter
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Permit Requirements
Environmental camps and horse camps cost $5 per person per night, payable at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock, or by mail.
Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on trails.
Store food and any scented items in a bear canister when camping; items may also be stored in a locked car.
Haul out your own trash — there is no trash service in the park.
Due to rough driving conditions, large trailers and RVs are not recommended.
Day use areas open sunrise to sunset; day-use parking is $8 per vehicle per day.
No trails in this park are Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •All your drinking water — there is no potable water in the park
- •A bear canister for food and scented items
- •Full trash carry-out capacity
- •Warm, waterproof layers for persistent coastal fog
- •Extra food and supplies in case you are stranded
Recommended Gear
- •Cash or a check for the per-person fee
- •A paper map and an itinerary left at home
- •A tide table before walking any beach section
- •High-clearance vehicle for the last 3.5 miles
- •A satellite messenger, since cellphone connectivity is limited
Hazards & Safety
Sinkyone Wilderness SP is one of the most remote parks in California. In an emergency situation, help may not arrive for hours.
Hiking on the shoreline can be dangerous, and cellphone connectivity is limited.
The cold waters off the rugged North Coast are unpredictable and can be deadly, not only for beginners but even for experts.
There is no potable water in the park.
When wet, the park's twisting dirt roads are impassable for passenger cars.
Briceland Thorn Road is closed in winter.
Black bears — a bear canister or locked car is required for food and scented items.
Best Time to Visit
Summer and early autumn, when Briceland Road is open and dry. The road is closed in winter and the rainy season makes it impassable for passenger cars.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for Jones Beach?
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Yes, a permit is required. Walk-up permits are available at the trailhead or visitor center, but arrive early as they may be limited.
When is the best time to visit Jones Beach?
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Summer and early autumn, when Briceland Road is open and dry. The road is closed in winter and the rainy season makes it impassable for passenger cars.
How difficult is Jones Beach?
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Campers who want a roadless beach and are willing to drive 36 miles of increasingly rough road and then walk to reach it.
What gear do I need for Jones Beach?
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Essential gear includes: All your drinking water — there is no potable water in the park, A bear canister for food and scented items, Full trash carry-out capacity, Warm, waterproof layers for persistent coastal fog, Extra food and supplies in case you are stranded.
Don't Miss Your Jones Beach Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Jones Beach availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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