Landmark
Randall Creek
MI 8.8 · 6 ft
Southern end of the second impassable tide zone. Frequent campsite.
Each entry point carries its own quota
Lost Coast Trail Permit (Overnight)
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.
Get an alert when Lost Coast opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Lost Coast were gone within 30 minutes.
Lost Coast reservation dates
- route distance, point to point
- 24.6mi
- max group size
- 15people
Lost Coast elevation profile
Mattole Beach Trailhead to Black Sands BeachLandmark
Mattole Beach Trailhead
Northern terminus at the mouth of the Mattole River. Last services for 25 miles.
Mile 0 of 25
0 Mattole Beach Trailhead25 Black Sands Beach
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 18 ft
Lost Coast landmarks
Map of the Lost Coast Trail Overnight, Mattole Beach Trailhead to Black Sands Beach
9 of 9 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Lost Coast permit
As of October 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. Canceled 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.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- North Coast, CA
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Lost Coast: Live availability activityWhen Lost Coast permits open upChance of an openingLost Coast Trail Overnight permit itinerary
The Lost Coast hike
- Distance
- 24.6 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 3-4 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- High Point
- 136 ft
Walk California's wildest coastline: 25 miles of undeveloped beach beneath 4,000-foot mountains that plunge directly into the Pacific.
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 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.
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 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.
Lost Coast hike 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
How hard the Lost Coast hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
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
Mattole Beach Trailhead
Primary10 ft elevation
Northern terminus of the Lost Coast Trail at the mouth of the Mattole River.
- Restrooms
- No water
- No Service
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).
Trailhead information
Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove)
Alternate10 ft elevation
Southern terminus with easier road access. Most hikers end here after hiking north to south.
- Restrooms
- Water on site
- Weak Signal
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.
When to hike Lost Coast
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.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (18 ft)
Today
🌫️
62°
45°
Thu
☁️
62°
45°
Fri
☁️
64°
46°
Sat
☁️
64°
44°
26%
Sun
☀️
69°
44°
Mon
☁️
71°
51°
Tue
☁️
71°
56°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Lost Coast 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
Lost Coast rules, gear and safety
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 gear
- 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)
Rules & regulations
- 01Overnight permits required year-round (reservation system via Recreation.gov)
- 02Hard-sided bear canisters required: bears are very active on this trail
- 03Group size limited to 15 people
- 04Fires permitted only on beaches below high tide line
- 05Camp only in designated areas or on beach (100+ feet from water)
- 06No pets during harbor seal pupping season (March-June)
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
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Lost Coast.
Food Storage
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
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Lost Coast FAQ
How long is the Lost Coast Trail?
BLM says the northern section, from Mattole to Black Sands Beach, is 24.6 miles. The southern section, from Hidden Valley to Needle Rock in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, is 9 miles.
How many days does the Lost Coast Trail take?
BLM says to "allow at least three days" for the 24.6 mile northern section.
Where does the Lost Coast Trail start and end?
The northern section runs between Mattole and Black Sands Beach. The southern section runs from Hidden Valley to Needle Rock.
Do you need a permit for the Lost Coast Trail?
For camping, yes. BLM says "Overnight camping along the Lost Coast Trail requires a Backcountry Permit," sold through Recreation.gov, with walk-up permits at the King Range Visitor Center. BLM also warns to check the tide: hike on an outgoing tide of three feet or less, because some stretches may be impassable at high tide.
Lost Coast trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions(3)
Can you camp at Gitchell Creek on the Lost Coast Trail during impassable tide dates?
0 votes·1 answer·1w ago
How do the tide windows work on a Lost Coast Trail permit itinerary?
0 votes·1 answer·Apr 2
How far ahead should you book a Lost Coast Trail overnight permit for peak season?
0 votes·1 answer·Feb 3
Alternatives to a Lost Coast permit
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Lost Coast Trail (South Section)
The 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.
- Same AreaNo permit needed
King Range Day Hikes
Day 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.
Where to stay near Lost Coast
- Humboldt Redwoods Sp Cuneo Creek Horse CampHumboldt Redwoods SP
- Humboldt Redwoods Sp Baxter Environmental CampHumboldt Redwoods SP
- Humboldt Redwoods Sp Hamilton Barn Environmental CampHumboldt Redwoods SP
- All California campgrounds
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