Railroad Camp Permit: Route
Railroad Camp permits are walk-up only in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.
An environmental camp on the southern end of Briceland Road, and absent from the park's current map.
This guide covers the Railroad Camp permit.
$5 per person per night (pay at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock)
Permit Cost
moderate
Difficulty
About Railroad Camp
Railroad Camp is one of the environmental campsites the park's 2006 Preliminary General Plan and Draft EIR describes as easily reachable from the southern end of Briceland Road, together with Orchard Camp and Bear Harbor Camp. That document records three sites here, and it is the only agency source that publishes per-camp counts. One caution matters more than any amenity detail: Railroad Camp does not appear on the park's current 2024 map, which labels the other camps individually. Because there is no online reservation system for Sinkyone and no cell service in the park, confirm the camp's status at the Needle Rock Visitor Center or by contacting the park before committing to it. Sinkyone offers eight environmental camps, two horse camps, and two primitive camps. Environmental camps do not offer drive-in access and cost $5 per person per night, payable at Jones Beach gate or Needle Rock, or by mail. The park's constants apply: no potable water, haul out your own trash, and roads impassable for passenger cars when wet.
Railroad Camp appears in the park's 2006 general plan alongside Orchard and Bear Harbor as the environmental campsites easily reachable from the southern end of Briceland Road. It does not appear on the 2024 park map, so ask the park before you drive 36 miles of increasingly rough road to look for it.
The Railroad Camp route
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Difficulty
- moderate
Starts at Needle Rock Visitor Center (Briceland Road)
Lost Coast. Nearest town: Whitethorn
Points along the route
- Needle Rock Visitor CenterMile 0
- Orchard CampMile 2.7
- Bear Harbor
- Lost Coast Trail
Railroad Camp permit detailsandAll Sinkyone Wilderness State Park permits
The Experience
Douglas fir and coastal prairie above a shoreline that swallowed an entire logging economy. The park's own history notes little surface evidence remains.
Railroad Camp is listed in the park's 2006 Preliminary General Plan and Draft EIR as one of the environmental campsites easily reachable from the southern end of Briceland Road, together with Orchard Camp and Bear Harbor Camp. The same document records three sites here.
It does not appear on the park's 2024 information sheet map, which labels Jones Beach, Streamside, Needle Rock, Orchard, Bear Harbor, Wheeler, Little Jackass Creek, Anderson and Usal Beach. Confirm the camp's current status at the Needle Rock Visitor Center before relying on it.
Briceland Road enters the park from the north at Four Corners and continues south 3.5 miles to Needle Rock, and 2.7 miles further to Orchard Camp. During the summer season when conditions allow, Briceland Road is also open from Needle Rock to Orchard Camp; the road is narrow, subject to washouts, and is closed during the rainy season.
What to Expect
An environmental camp with no drive-in access
$5 per person per night, paid on site or by mail
A camp not shown on the park's current map: ask the park about it before you plan around it
No potable water anywhere in the park
Vault toilets in developed use areas
A road closed during the rainy season and subject to washouts
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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 coastal fog
- •Extra food and supplies in case you are stranded
Recommended Gear
- •A confirmation of the camp's status before you drive
- •Cash or a check for the per-person fee
- •A paper map and an itinerary left at home
- •High-clearance vehicle for a road subject to washouts
- •A satellite messenger, since cellphone connectivity is limited
Hazards & Safety
Railroad Camp does not appear on the park's current map. Ask the park about its status before you plan around it.
Sinkyone Wilderness SP is one of the most remote parks in California. In an emergency situation, help may not arrive for hours.
Cellphone connectivity is limited and hiking on the shoreline can be dangerous.
There is no potable water in the park.
Briceland Road is narrow, subject to washouts, and is closed during the rainy season.
Black bears: a bear canister or locked car is required.
Mudslides or fallen trees have kept visitors an extra day or two.
Best Time to Visit
Summer, when Briceland Road is open from Needle Rock to Orchard Camp as conditions allow. The road is closed during the rainy season, which effectively closes this section of the park.
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 Railroad Camp?
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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 Railroad Camp?
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Summer, when Briceland Road is open from Needle Rock to Orchard Camp as conditions allow. The road is closed during the rainy season, which effectively closes this section of the park.
How difficult is the Railroad Camp route?
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Lost Coast regulars who already know this park and want its emptiest corner, and who will confirm the camp's status with a ranger first.
Where does the Railroad Camp route start?
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Needle Rock Visitor Center (Briceland Road).
What gear do I need for the Railroad Camp route?
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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 coastal fog, Extra food and supplies in case you are stranded.
Don't Miss Your Railroad Camp Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Railroad Camp availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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