How to Get a Little Jackass Permit
A roadless camp above a beach that is a haul-out site for migrating California sea lions.
Check Little Jackass permit availability$5 per person per night (pay at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock)
Permit Cost
strenuous
Difficulty
About Little Jackass
Little Jackass Creek Camp is a hike-in environmental camp on the roadless section of the Lost Coast Trail between Usal Beach and Bear Harbor. Environmental camps do not offer drive-in access. The defining feature is the wildlife. The beach at Little Jackass Creek is a haul-out site for migrating California sea lions. Keep your distance from hauled-out animals. The park's 2006 Preliminary General Plan — the only agency source publishing per-camp counts — records four sites here, and states that environmental campsites along the Lost Coast Trail are equipped with a fire ring and vault toilets nearby. Fees are $5 per person per night, payable at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock, or by mail. There is no online reservation for any Sinkyone camp. The park has no potable water, you haul out your own trash, and its roads are impassable for passenger cars when wet.
The beach at Little Jackass Creek is a haul-out site for migrating California sea lions — a working wildlife site rather than a scenic one, and the sea lions are the reason to be quiet here.
The Experience
Steep forest dropping to a small creek mouth and a beach with animals on it. On this coast, arriving somewhere no vehicle can reach changes the whole character of a night.
Wheeler Camp, Little Jackass Creek Camp and Anderson Gulch Camp are environmental camps located along the Lost Coast Trail, between Usal Beach and Bear Harbor. Environmental camps do not offer drive-in access, and no road reaches this camp.
The beach at Little Jackass Creek is a haul-out site for migrating California sea lions, and Northport Gulch beach is a haul-out site for harbor seals.
The park's 2006 general plan records four sites here and notes that environmental campsites along the Lost Coast Trail are equipped with a fire ring and vault toilets nearby. The Lost Coast Trail runs 22 miles within Sinkyone and, in the agency's words, though beautiful, this trail is rugged, strenuous, and not recommended for beginner backpackers or hikers.
What to Expect
A roadless camp reached only on foot along the Lost Coast Trail
A beach used by migrating California sea lions
A fire ring and vault toilets nearby, per the park's general plan
$5 per person per night, paid on site or by mail
No potable water anywhere in the park
A trail the agency calls rugged, strenuous and not for beginners
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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.
Day use areas open sunrise to sunset.
No trails in this park are Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible.
Regulations for trail use and camping differ between BLM's King Range and California State Parks' Sinkyone section.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •All your drinking water, or a filter and a creek plan — the park has no potable water
- •A bear canister for food and scented items
- •Full trash carry-out capacity
- •Boots for steep, rugged trail
- •Warm, waterproof layers for persistent fog
Recommended Gear
- •A tide table for shoreline sections
- •A long lens, so sea lions can be watched without approach
- •Trekking poles for steep creek descents
- •A satellite messenger — help may not arrive for hours
- •An itinerary left with someone at home
Hazards & Safety
The Lost Coast Trail here is rugged, strenuous, and not recommended for beginner backpackers or hikers.
Sinkyone Wilderness SP is one of the most remote parks in California. In an emergency situation, help may not arrive for hours.
Hauled-out sea lions on the beach — keep well clear of wildlife.
The cold waters off the rugged North Coast are unpredictable and can be deadly, even for experts.
There is no potable water in the park.
Cellphone connectivity is limited.
Black bears — a bear canister is required for food and scented items.
Best Time to Visit
Summer and early autumn, when both access roads are open and the trail is driest. Both Usal Road and Briceland Thorn Road are closed in winter.
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 Little Jackass?
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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 Little Jackass?
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Summer and early autumn, when both access roads are open and the trail is driest. Both Usal Road and Briceland Thorn Road are closed in winter.
How difficult is Little Jackass?
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Experienced backpackers walking the Sinkyone Lost Coast Trail who want the most remote night available in the park, and who will give hauled-out wildlife a wide berth.
What gear do I need for Little Jackass?
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Essential gear includes: All your drinking water, or a filter and a creek plan — the park has no potable water, A bear canister for food and scented items, Full trash carry-out capacity, Boots for steep, rugged trail, Warm, waterproof layers for persistent fog.
Don't Miss Your Little Jackass Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Little Jackass availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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