How to Hike the Lost Coast Trail

25.5 miles - Hard Effort
2-4 Days (Total)
Expect to See Some Other Hikers
1,000 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 130 feet
Off Leash Dogs Okay

Worthy of any hiking bucket list, the Lost Coast Trail offers a challenging adventure along California's longest stretch of undeveloped coastline. You'll hike along the boundary where the King Range Wilderness and the Pacific Ocean collide, showcasing nature's beautiful and powerful forces. This guide will cover everything you need to know to make the Lost Coast Trail a reality, from planning to preparing and then doing the hike. There are several sections of Lost Coast Trail; in this guide, I'll cover the most popular stretch from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove's Black Sands Beach.

In this Guide:

How To Plan Your Lost Coast Trail Hike
Getting Permits for the Lost Coast Trail
Preparing for the Trip
Maps & Printable Directions

Quick Links: Permits - King Range National Conservation Area - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Mar 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Quick Lost Coast Trail Overview

Lost Coast Overview Map — The Lost Coast Trail has two sections, with the most popular section being the northern portion from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove pictured here. This guide covers everything you need to know to hike this part of the Lost Coast Trail.

The Lost Coast Trail is in the remote King Range National Conservation Area of Northern California, where steep 4,000-foot mountains drop down to primitive black sand beaches on the Pacific Ocean.
The Lost Coast is considered the most rugged coastlines in the lower-48. Originally planners wanted to route the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) here, but abandoned the plans after seeing that the landscape made it impossible.
Even today, getting to the hike usually involves a 4 hour or more drive from San Francisco or Sacramento.
You need a permit to hike the Lost Coast Trail and they're tough to snag. You'll want to plan a year in advance for this one. Permits are released on October 1st for the following year.
Once you have a permit to hike, you do not need to make reservations at any campgrounds. You can camp anywhere along the trail that isn't private property.
Most people take 2-4 days to hike (and camp) the Lost Coast Trail one way, from north to south, including a shuttle ride. There are plenty of campsites and water sources along the way.
Although the hike is flat and relatively short, the main challenge is timing your hike to avoid impassable sections of the trail during higher tides. The terrain, which often includes soft sand and rocks of all sizes, can be challenging mentally and requires more effort than a typical trail.

Planning Your Lost Coast Trip

Lost Coast Planning Sunset — The Lost Coast Trail is a place of magical moments and immense beauty, but you can't just show up and hike. Planning your trip carefully is vital to smooth experience.

The Lost Coast Favors the PreparedBureau of Land Management

The King Range NCA and Lost Coast have many miles of trails. There are hundreds of itineraries and routes you could put together. There are inland trails (that don't have water) where you could do a loop. There's a southern section of the Lost Coast. And they're all fun. But the classic "Lost Coast Trail Hike" is the section from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove, which we'll cover here.

The classic hike is usually done Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove (north to south), which puts the prevalent northwest wind at your back.
The trip is point-to-point, and the north-south route offers (paid) shuttles to make the logistics easier.
Expect to hike slower than your usual pace because of the terrain. If you usually backpack at 2.5mph, you'll probably average around 1.5mph in the soft sand and cobbles. Rain and challenging weather can also slow you down. Planning on doing 50% of your average pace is smart.

How Many Days Do You Have?

Lost Coast Camping — The Lost Coast isn't about bagging miles; it's about enjoying magical places. You'll want time to soak it all in.

First off, pick how long you'd like to take for the hike. Since this hike is so remote and difficult to line up, I'd recommend spending as much time here as possible. Here are my recommendations.

If you have the time, take 4 days and take it easy. This is a leisurely itinerary that involves a few hours of hiking per day, and then plenty of time to relax, explore, and soak it all in.
You can get by on 2 days if that's all you have and if the tides cooperate. Plan on two full days of hiking without a shuttle ride. Usually a two-day trip involves camping at Mattole Beach campground the night before and getting an early start on day one.
3 days seems to be the sweet spot for most people. It gives you a half day to travel to Mattole Beach and then hike for a few hours. The next day you do a full day of hiking, and on day 3 you arrive at Shelter Cove in time to travel back out.

When Do You Want to Go?

Lost Coast Water Sources — One of the nice things about this trip is that the water is plentiful along the trail, even in the summer. Usually all the named creeks (on the map) will have water flowing to the ocean. Most campsites are conveniently located close to these rivers.

The "season" on the Lost Coast is April to September. During this time the weather is often dry and the temperatures are warm. And although it's easier to bag a permit (there are 60 persons allowed per day from May 15 to September 15), it's still very competitive to get a slot.

The off-season conditions on the Lost Coast are tougher. The weather can be stormy, the temperatures can go down to freezing, and there can even be light snow on the mountains above (but not on the trail). Occasionally after heavy rains the stream crossings are impassable. If you really want a challenge, attempting the Lost Coast Trail when it's raining, with above-normal tides, and temperatures in the 40Fs has got to be up there. There are also only 30 persons allowed per day on the Lost Coast Trail from Sep 16 to May 14.

A sweet spot can be the shoulder seasons, which in today's climate often have summer-like conditions. Mid-March to May 15 and September 16 to November 1st can be great options.

Note that whenever you visit the Lost Coast Trail, the weather can be horrible. This is a marine environment where the weather can be finicky. No matter how much planning you do, you can't control the weather.

Planning For the Tides

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 9 — Steep slopes and high tides can make portions of the Lost Coast Trail like this impassable. Even when the tide is low, as pictured here, hiking through these "impassable zone" sections requires care and vigilance.

After you pick the dates you want to hike, you need to make sure that the tides will allow you actually to hike on those days. There are three "impassable zones" along the Lost Coast Trail that you can only cross when the conditions are right.

Lost Coast Tide Zones — Here are the three impassable zones, all marked in red. They are also on the interactive map (later in the guide) and in the downloadable GPX file. You need to plan on crossing these red areas when the tide is below 3 feet. There are usually two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours

To figure out when the tides are low enough to cross the zones, go to the NOAA website for Shelter Cove tides. Put your dates in, and then enter "3" in the "threshold value" box, and press "plot daily." We're entering 3 for 3 feet, which is considered the maximum tidal height to cross. Anything below 3 and you should be good. You'll get something that looks like this.

Lost Coast Tide Chart — Here's the tide chart with the threshold value set at 3 (feet). Wherever you see red, the tide will be too high for the impassable sections. A deep (low) dip means that the tide will be out far enough to pass. A shallow dip (like the first one here) is iffy.

Lost Coast Tide Chart 2 — You have to make sure that the low tide (dips) are long enough for you to cross. Ideally you start crossing an impassable area as the tide recedes below 3 feet. In this case hitting the beginning of a zone around 1pm will give us 3 hours to cross, more than enough time.

There's a handy-dandy new tide planning tool on the website that can snag you permits.

Hikers have died in the tidal zones. If swept in the water, you will have a maximum of 20 minutes before you go hypothermic, have the clothes ripped from your body by the strong currents, and get battered against the sharp rocks. Bodies from those swept to sea are rarely recovered.

Plan a Rough Itinerary

Lost Coast Camps Example — Some campsites are within the impassable tide zone. These campsites are set back from the beach, often in a canyon carved by a river or stream. They serve as good bail-out areas if the tide sneaks up, but also can be peaceful overnight stops if you time the tides correctly.

Once you have your dates and know the tides, it's time to plan a rough itinerary along the route. There's an interactive map below with the impassable tide zones and campsites that you can plan with. The nice thing about the Lost Coast Trail is that there many options for camping. The campsites are all primitive and usually have several flat clearings for tents and maybe a fire ring. Outside of the marked campsites you can camp on the beach (where it's safe from tides) or on any flat that isn't private land (more later). Which campsites are the nicest? You can't go wrong at any of them.

Lost Coast Trail Unnamed Camp — Outside of the marked campsites there are dozens of impromptu spots like this, especially on the non-beach flat areas. The only drawback of a spot like this is that you are not close to a water source.

Permits

Alright, by this point you have some dates, you know where you want to hike, and you have an idea of the challenges. So know you can get a permit. Well, hopefully get a permit.

First, you can only get a permit online at Recreation.gov. There are no walk-up permits or last-minute options; it's online only. Next year's permits are released on October 1st. So for all dates in 2023, the permits are all open on October 1, 2022. I've never had a problem getting the dates that I want if I go on the website very early on October 1st.

The maximum group size is 3 people. If you have more than 3 people, you need to get multiple permits.

You can also check the website anytime for random open slots. Don't expect any in the high season, but you can usually find a few in off-season. And if you have a reservation and can't make it, be kind, go online and cancel your reservation so that it opens up for others.

Lost Coast Trail Permit — When you get your permit, put Mattole as your start, Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove) as your end.

There is no formal check-in with the permit, but you will occasionally find rangers waiting at the shuttle drop at Mattole Beach to check permits. I've also heard of rangers doing permit checks at the Shelter Cove / Black Sands Beach parking area for backpackers. If you are doing a day hike on any stretch of the Lost Coast Trail, you do not need a permit.

Permit Availablity

Can't get a permit for your date? Try OutdoorStatus.com and get a text message as soon as a cancelled permit opens up!.

Getting to the Lost Coast Trail

When you have your permit, you'll need to book your travel. The Lost Coast Trail is remote; even the trip to the trailhead is a challenge. Unless you live close enough to drive to the trailhead, you'll probably be flying in and renting a car.

Guided tour groups generally do their pickups from Sacramento Airport because they have decent airline service and are away from Bay Area traffic. Your best flight options will be into San Francisco (SFO), but you might have to fight through some traffic on an already long drive. The other airports in the area are all small with limited service and limited rental car options. The closest airport, in Eureka, is known for fog. In fact, the Navy built that airport specifically to test conditions for landing in fog. And even Eureka is still two hours away from Shelter Cove.

If you are going to overnight before or after the hike, I highly recommend staying in an inn at Shelter Cove instead of some of the other farther away options. Shelter Cove is a quiet little town perched next to the ocean where, as one local says, “no one comes here without intending to come here.” The lodging and dining options are limited compared to more developed areas, but they are all friendly, clean, charming, and generally lovely.

Bucket list backpacking trip, but harder than you think. Shelter Cove is a great little town, and Gyppo Brewery is a must-stop. Don't tell your friends about this trail.Recreation.gov Reviewer

Lost Coast Trail Trailheads

The southern trailhead for this hike is in Shelter Cove, CA. You can leave your car here if you have a permit, and you pick up the shuttle in this parking lot. Use this trailhead address:
Black Sands Beach Trailhead, 865 Beach Rd, Shelter Cove, CA 95589

The northern trailhead (if you're doing your own shuttle) is:
Mattole Campground, 3750 Lighthouse Rd, Petrolia, CA 95558

Trail Logistics & Shuttle

Lost Coast Trail Shuttle Map — This guide covers the point-to-point hike on the Lost Coast Trail from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove in the south. Although only 21 miles apart as the crow flies, the drive takes more like 2 hours and involves steep and winding roads in various states of existence.

Even if you have two cars, I'd recommend taking a one-way shuttle to the start at Mattole Beach. Why?

You'll save time. A round-trip to pick up your car at Mattole Beach will add 4 hours of driving to your trip that is best spent elsewhere.
The drive is intense. The road is usually one lane, prone to washouts, winding and steep. Locals in their massive pickups sometimes tailgate you. There is livestock wandering on the roads. There is no cell service for Google Maps. It's a lot to deal with before a hike.
Shelter Cove rarely, if ever, has car break-ins. Mattole Beach is remote and there have been smash and grabs from hiker's cars.
You have 2 hours on the shuttle ride to ask questions to your driver. Drivers know the local conditions, often even lead the Lost Coast Trail tours, and are an excellent resource.

I've used Lost Coast Adventure Tours shuttle service and they've always been great. They can even rent you bear canisters (more on that in a bit). Book your shuttle as soon as you bag your permit; the shuttles can sell out as well.

Tipping Tip: It's customary to tip the shuttle driver 20% or so.

You can also do a key swap with other hikers using this tool.

Gear For the Lost Coast Trail

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 20 — You must have a bear canister if you want to hike the Lost Coast Trail. Luckily there are some options if you don't have one already.

Gear for the Lost Coast Trail is pretty straightforward and luckily you don't have to lug a lot of water around. But you do hike through wet sand, over slippery rocks, and across some boulders where carrying a pack can be tricky. Overall try to stay as light as possible and you should be okay. There are no outfitters in the area; your should buy your gear before arriving and practice with it at home.

For specific gear recommendations, check out my gear page, which was last updated March 2023.

50+ Liter Backpack - You'll need a big enough backpack to carry a bear canister and all of your gear, including wet weather coverings. A 50+ liter pack will probably give you enough room not to have to get clever when fitting everything in the pack. Bring a big heavy duty trash bag and use it as a pack liner. If it rains, you will want to make sure all of your gear stays dry.
The bear canister takes up a lot of room in the pack, but you can easily stuff gear around it with a big enough pack.
Wet Weather Gear - Unless you are very familiar with the weather patterns and get a good dry window, you'll want to be prepared for changing conditions and wet weather. The Kings Range is one of the wettest places in the USA, with between 100 and 200 of inches of rain annually. I bring a shell, rain pants, rain hat, and wet socks (latest recommendations here). Avoid cotton and go with wool or synthetic, which doesn't get soggy when wet. And wearing breathable trail runners means that your feet can wet and it's okay. It's probably near impossible to never get your feet wet on this hike. I go into detail on my wet weather picks in this video.
Bear Canisters - You must have a hard-sided bear canister (my latest recommendation here), you can't use a bear hang or soft bear sack. If you don't want to invest in one, Lost Coast Adventure Tours can rent you one when you take the shuttle or you can rent from the BLM visitor center. You must store everyone's food and scented items (sunscreen, toothpaste, trash) in bear canisters. They're a pain to carry, but as you eat through your food, you can use it to store non-scented items too. A 7 liter capacity bear canister should be plenty for 1 person to hike 4 days. A tighter but doable option is one 11 liter canister for 3 people on a 3 day hike. When you store your bear canister, you can simply put it somewhere away from camp, hidden if possible; there is no need to wedge it or bury it in rocks like you often need to in the Sierras. Bring a gallon Zip-Loc bag for your trash. Wash your food bags and utensils out in the streams after eating to remove any scent.
Bear canisters have a locking lid and thick plastic walls that keep critters out. And although there are black bears in the King Range NCA, the canister is also for raccoons and rodents. Make sure the lid is always fully closed and secured.
Trekking Poles - I don't use them all the time, but when I have a heavy pack on my back and I'm walking over wet, slippery rocks, trekking poles are invaluable.
Picking your way across these rocks, called "cobbles" is way easier with poles, especially when they are wet.
Navigation - Although you are simply walking down the coast, having some navigation tools is important to ensure that you can navigate the tidal zones correctly. I'd recommend three things:
- Order a King Range / Lost Coast map from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). It's much better than other commercial maps out there and half the cost.
- Download the same map onto your smartphone for free with the Avenza app. Download the map for offline use before you leave and put the phone in airplane mode to save battery when you hike. Bring a USB charger to top off your phone at night.
- Grab a backup of the detailed PDF map here and download it to your phone.
- Find an app like TideAlert that has offline tide charts. If you take a shuttle, you can also pick up a tide chart from your driver.
- And note that if it's raining, the touchscreen on your phone will likely not work well. If you have a dedicated non-touchscreen GPS device, this is the time to bring it. Most GPS devices also have tide charts. Otherwise huddle over your phone if it's raining and do your best.
SOS Device - There are a few small pockets of cell coverage on the Lost Coast Trail, but usually you will be out of range. Having a PLB or satellite communicator will be crucial if you have to hit the SOS button for whatever reason. And if you have a communicator, you can also check the weather and let your family know that you are okay.
Trowel, Toilet Paper & Hand Sanitizer - If you have to poop, you're supposed to go on the beach in the tidal zone. Dig a hole to fit all of your business in the sand, go, cover it up, and let the ocean do its thing when the tide comes in. There are often rocks on the beach where you find some privacy. Gel hand sanitizer can also be used as a fire starter when lighting a campfire.
Camping Stove - If it's raining, having a hot meal will be a major morale boost. Generally my camping meal workflow is a hot breakfast, energy bar lunch, and a hot dinner. A mug with some instant coffee (the Starbucks ones work well) or tea is also nice when camping.
Boil water, pour it in the food bag, stir, let it sit, and then eat directly from the bag with a long spork. The "2 serving" packs are usually good for one meal after a day on the trail.
A tea or coffee in the morning is a great way to enjoy camp. Just boil water and throw it in the cup. With this setup the only cookware I carry is a cup and long spork. You could also drink the coffee right out of the stove cooker.
Water Filtration - This one is important. All of the named streams and rivers on the route generally flow year-round. But cattle and sheep graze in the hills, and their waste can contaminate the water. Getting a simple water filter that screws onto a water bottle is simple and works. You shouldn't have to carry more than 1L of water at a time.
A simple water filter system like this is all you need. Don't buy the expensive pump filters, it's overkill.
Headlamp - Easy to forget but essential. Bring extra batteries.
Sleeping System - The campsites on the Lost Coast Trail are tent-friendly. It's either sand or soft grass, making it easy to get stakes into the ground. I'd recommend a free-standing tent, a sleeping bag or quilt, and a sleeping pad. You can store your pack in the vestibule of the tent; as long as there is no scented items it will be fine. Practice setting up your tent at home so that you can do it quickly if it's raining out. Don't forget to practice staking it out too; gale-force winds can easily whip up a tent.
Use stones on top of your tent steaks to provide extra support.
Dry and Warm Clothes - Bring dry clothes in a Zip-Loc bag and put them on when in your tent. Sleeping when you're wet is not a fun time. Bring another heavy duty trash bag to store your wet gear.
Sandals - If you want to give your feet a break from your hiking footwear at camp, lightweight flip-flops or Crocs are good. Overall the ground is sandy and soft, and you can get away without them if you pick your campsites carefully.

Top Spring 2023 Gear Picks

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 24 Daypack ( Amazon | Sirrus REI | Stratos REI )
Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator ( Amazon | REI )
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ( REI | Amazon )
As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My March 2023 Top Gear Picks

Lost Coast Trail Camping

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 15 — I'd rate camping along the Lost Coast Trail as some of the best in the world. Expect ocean views, sunsets, and a salty breeze.

Good campsites are found, not made.

Camping is pretty straightforward on the Lost Coast Trail. Here's the deal.

You can set up your tent anywhere between Mattole Beach and Telegraph Creek, 5 minutes north of Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove. You can't camp in Shelter Cove.
The trail alternates between beach and grass on the bluffs behind the beach, most of which is level. They are all great places to set up a tent.
There are campgrounds listed on the map. These campgrounds are really just sheltered areas with pre-established clearings to pitch a tent. Try to pick a pre-established site to avoid your impact on the land.
If you camp by a driftwood shelter, know that they are home to rodents.
Use your bear canister whenever you are away from your food. Animals can raid your food while you step away for a minute to refill water or whatever.
There are no toilets or facilities outside of the two trailheads. Poop in the tidal zone of the beach-nowhere else.
Carry all of your trash out in a Zip-Loc bag. Freeze-dried food packaging does not burn. Practice "Leave No Trace" when on the Lost Coast.
Most campgrounds are adjacent to a creek that flows out to the sea. This makes it easy to get water while camping, wash your cooking gear, etc.
The wind can be intense, and usually comes from the northwest. Pick a spot that's sheltered from the wind if possible. Otherwise your tent will likely be loudly flapping all night.
Campsites in canyons where the rivers flow out often have nice hidden spots protected from the wind.
If you do camp on the beach, make sure you are in a spot safe from the high tide and sneaker waves. Generally established camp areas are safe.
Some areas have fire rings and there is driftwood you can burn. If you want to start an open campfire, get a CA campfire permit. And check the restrictions on the permit page for fires. In the dry season campfires are often banned completely. The high winds can easily blow cinders and ash. Keep your fire small and under control.

Considering bringing a dog? They are allowed and I often see them on the Lost Coast Trail, but it's a tough slog, so make sure your pup is energetic and that you have paw pads. And leashes are required between Punta Gorda and Sea Lion Gulch to protect the marine wildlife (and your dog).

Lost Coast Trail Maps

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

Hiking With Gaia GPS For Beginners

How-To Use Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints on Garmin

How To Read a Topographic Map

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 16 — You'll see a few trail markers, but not at all the junctions.

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 7 — Always look for trails up to the bluffs or grass like the one here on the left. The hiking is much easier in the grass area than on the beach. The harsh maritime climate can sometimes make these turnoffs hard to spot, so it's always good to consult the GPS maps and be on the lookout for upcoming portions that lead off the beach.

Landmarks on the Hike

Some impassable zones have "bailout" sections where you escape the tides, usually at the mouth of a creek. They are marked on the interactive map as campsites. Similarly, any campsite in the tidal zone is safe.

Landmark	Distance	Low Tide Only
Mattole Beach	0	no
Tide Zone 1 Start	1.5	yes
Tide Zone 2 End	2.2	no
Punta Gorda Lighthouse	3.2	no
Sea Lion Gulch Camp	4.5	no
Tide Zone 2 Start	4.7	yes
Cooksie Creek Camp	6.6	yes
Tide Zone 2 End	8.6	no
Randall Creek Camp	8.7	no
Spanish Creek Camp	10.6	no
Kinsey Creek Camp	12.2	no
Big Creek Camp	13.8	no
Miller Flat Camp	16.8	no
Tide Zone 3 Start	17	yes
Shipman Creek Camp	18.6	yes
Buck Creek Camp	20	yes
Tide Zone 3 End	21.4	no
Gitchell Creek Camp	21.6	no
Horse Mountain Creek Camp	23.6	no
Black Sand Beach Parking Lot	25.5	no

Weather

Lost Coast Beach Advisory — Don't just use any weather app, because it won't have info like this. Use the NOAA links below to make sure you get a complete version of the weather. If the conditions are like this, you might be sipping beers in Shelter Cove for a few days. Your shuttle driver is also a good source of weather advice.

Start checking the long-range forecast for Shelter Cove to get an idea of the general conditions. As your date gets closer, I like to use the marine forecast for the Lost Coast to get an idea of the wind direction, wave intensity, and precipitation. A northwest wind is favorable as it will be at your back.

Challenges on the Trail

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 6 — The Lost Coast Trail is generally pleasant if the weather isn't extreme and you've planned the tides correctly. You'll likely see rabbits, mule dear, sea lions, seals and other cute creatures.

Plan to get yourself out of the situations you put yourself into.Lost Coast BLM Ranger

Hiking on the sand and stones requires some serious focus and mental toughness. Make sure your body is strong and prepared for a challenge.
If it has just rained or is raining, the stream crossings can be swollen and dangerous. Falling after slipping on an algae-covered river rock could sweep you out to sea. If you are not 100% sure you can cross, you should wait until the stream recedes, which usually happens after the rain stops. The general rule of thumb is don't cross if the water is above your knees.
When the trail goes through the grass and brush, there can be ticks. Treat your clothes with repellant and do a check after any overgrown sections and at camp. Long pants and long sleeves help protect you.
There are rattlesnakes here and you can sometimes see them in the spring and summer. Just give them a wide berth and you'll be fine. They won't attack unless you get close or step on them accidentally. They often hang out underneath driftwood.
Black bears sometimes visit the beach looking for food. If you see one, just give it plenty of room, and if it is close, shout it away. You don't need bear spray. Occasionally bears will try to get into a bear canister by banging it, so make sure you keep it far enough away from anyone's tents.
Give any seals, sea lions, or elephant seals a wide berth on the beach. They can move faster than you think on land. Sometimes they look like logs on the beach, so watch carefully as you go.
As they say, "never turn your back on the ocean." When hiking on the beach, regularly look to the water for any big sets of waves or rogue "sneaker waves" that come much farther up the beach than normal. This is especially important if you are hiking on the hard-pack sand by the shoreline.
Never, never, never swim in the ocean. Even for experienced surfers in wetsuits (who you may see), this is a challenging environment.
Some of the overgrown non-beach sections have poison oak. Wearing long pants helps, as does pushing it aside with trekking poles.
Use your trekking poles to balance on tricky sections. The weight of a backpack can throw your balance off when rock-hopping or navigating bigger boulders.
Tide charts are predictions (albeit fairly reliable ones). Local conditions such as storms, high winds, and surges can change the situation. If this is the case, you just have to turn around or hike to a safe zone, and then wait it out. Even sections not marked as impassable can become impassable. Here's what the normally wide and mellow Black Sand Beach can look like when conditions are bad.
I've seen people tackle narrow points when the tide is higher than 3 feet. While the water was up to their knees and they made it through okay, I would never take a risk like that. Remember that a risky move endangers your life and your hiking companions and search & rescue teams who will try and save you. Getting farther on the trail is not worth risking your life.
Rocks can be extremely slippery when wet or covered in algae. Small clams and jagged edges can easily cut your hands.

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 4 — Keep your eyes peeled on the shore and in the tide pools for interesting finds. Here's a massive (about 14 feet across) Giant Pacific octopus that washed up minutes before we arrived. Leave everything you find behind; take only photos and memories.

Lost Coast Bail Out Trails — If conditions are poor and you can't wait them out, your best bet is to take one of the (often primitive) trails up and away from the ocean. There are about 8 ways to bail out and off of the trail along the way. Just hike back to the road and hitch back to town.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions

Stay in Touch: Monthly Email - New YouTube Videos - Instagram

We'll start the directions from Shelter Cove, at the southern terminus, assuming you will park here, shuttle up to Mattole Beach, and then end back at Shelter Cove.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 2 — Head for the Black Sands Beach Trailhead in Shelter Cove to park before the shuttle. There's a small handicapped lot down by the water, but the actual hiker parking is up on the hill.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 1 — The lot is a decent size and you should be okay to find a spot. This parking lot gets a lot of traffic and is relatively safe.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 3 — There are bathrooms and a water fountain at the lot.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 4 — Then enjoy your shuttle ride to Mattole. The ride has lots of twists, turns, and bumps. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you'll want to prepare accordingly for this ride. Don't forget to ask your drive any questions that you may have.

The land you see on the drive was once full of old-growth lumber, long since felled. Since then, the area has been a haven for marijuana growers. In 1990 one of the most extensive drug raids occurred here (and in other spots along the coast). It was called "Operation Green Sweep," but the bust was a bust, and growers sued the BLM and federal authorities. There was even a planned photo-op for President Bush to wade onshore at Shelter Cove.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 5 — Welcome to the Mattole trailhead!

Mattole is named after the native peoples who first lived here. When Europeans arrived in the 1880s, there were about 1200 living here. Twenty years later, they were gone.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 6 — If you'd like to overnight here, there is a first-come, first-serve campground.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 8 — There are also primitive toilets.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 7 — Check out the trail board for any notices and then head through to the gate.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 9 — Here's the official start of the Lost Coast Trail. Hike through the gate.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 10 — Bear left and start hiking down the coast. Hopefully the wind will be at your back.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 11 — You might see cattle grazing on the hills. This is a National Conservation Area, which allows for mixed-use, including ranching. Two-thirds of the Kings Range NCA is a designated wilderness area where no human imprint is allowed.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 12 — Keep hiking down the beach. Usually there are footprints that you can follow, but note that they don't always take the correct route, sometimes missing a turnoff.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 13 — You'll notice that the beach gets much narrower as you enter the first impassable tidal zone.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 14 — And then widens out as you see Punta Gorda Lighthouse in the distance.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 15 — You'll pass a private cabin, the first of several on your hike. They belong to folks who didn't want to sell their land when King Range became a the country's first National Conservation Area in 1970. Don't camp around private property or go into the cabins.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 16 — By the cabin you'll have your first crossing, Fourmile Creek. Take it slow and know that underwater rocks can be very slippery.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 17 — Take the trail up from the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 18 — And enjoy walking on a "trail trail" that's much easier than sand.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 19 — And here you are at Punta Gorda Lighthouse, built in 1911 and closed in 1951. The remote location, known as "the Alcatraz of lighthouses" required it to be largely self-sufficient. In the 1960s squatters lived here, and eventually the government destroyed some other buildings here to discourage the squatters.

You'll see a few old metal fuel tank pieces along the trail. Those are from shipwrecks that are over 100 years old.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 20 — There's also a USGS survey marker here if that's your thing.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 21 — Continue on, crossing the gully at Willow Creek.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 22 — The trail continues along the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 23 — And then starts to climb.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 24 — Off to your right is Sea Lion Rock, usually covered with sea lions and cormorants. If you camp at Sea Lion Gulch, expect noisy sea lions barking for most of the night.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 25 — And then you reach Sea Lion Gulch camp.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 26 — Now you enter the second tidal zone and have some boulders to cross.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions E1 — Once you enter this tidal zone, look for a gulch up ahead where you can find a trail that bypasses an impassable boulder scramble on the beach. This is a good time to consult the map and GPX file that I provided.

Lost Coast Impassaable Boulders — Here's what the section looks like on a map. Hike up the creek, find the trail, and then continue south.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 29 — If you miss that last turn, expect a tough scramble up these huge boulders called Hat Rock. The official documents list this area as impassable at all tide levels. Stay safe and take the detour.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 30 — Pop back out on the beach and walk over these large cobbles. Some of these rocks can be wet, covered in algae, and very slippery.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 31 — When you see the canyon on your left, it's Cooksie Creek Camp. If you need a rest or want to bail, this is your only option in this tidal zone. Otherwise continue along the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 32 — Here's what the Cooksie Creek area looks like. The tent sites are further back.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 33 — Continue hiking through the second tidal zone and over the cobbles. There are numerous narrow points that require care when passing.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 34 — And then you reach Randall Creek Camp, the end of the second impassable zone. Although there is another impassable zone later, it's not nearly as tough as the one you just went through. The day will be easier from here.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 35 — Continue down along the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 36 — And then hop up onto the bluff along an area called Spanish Flat.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 37 — You'll pass some nice tent sites (without water though).

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 38 — At one of the few marked junctions (with the Spanish Ridge Trail), continue straight along the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 39 — The hardpack and flat trail along Spanish Flat will be a welcome experience after the last tidal zone.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 40 — Continue right past the private property on the left.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 41 — You'll pass by a private cabin.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 43 — Bear right at the junction with the Kinsey Ridge Trail.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 44 — And then pop back down to the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 45 — Now you have some pleasant sand hiking along the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 46 — Pass by Big Creek Camp.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 47 — And then look for a trail heading back up onto the bluff.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 48 — Now you have a very easy section along Big Flat.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 49 — There's a small rise and then a descent down to the main part of Big Flat.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 50 — The section of trail here is used as an airstrip for the house on the left. You'll notice a windsock along the trail.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 51 — This is the fanciest house along the hike. You might notice the frisbee golf baskets. The house, a private retreat owned by people rich enough to fly in and out, is host to an occasional, invite-only disc golf tournament. During the tournament the baskets are set up all over Big Flat and the beach.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 52 — Just past the house make the right turn toward the beach at the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail junction.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 53 — Look up Flat Creek for nice views of King Peak, the highest point in the range at 4,088 feet.

The King Range is young and actively growing, getting about 1 inch taller every 20 years.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 54 — You'll find a lot of campsites around Big Flat. It's a popular place for surfers to hike to from Shelter Cove. Here people have made art out of old whale bones.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 55 — When you cross Flat Creek you'll be at Miller Flat. There are tent sites on both sides of the creek. You can sometimes see big salmon heading upstream to spawn here.

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 5 — Miller Flat, just across from the last photo, has some nice tent sites tucked out of the prevalent northwest wind.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 57 — Continue straight over Miller Flat. These bluff sections are a great place to spot whales as you hike.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 58 — And then dip back down to the beach to start the last impassable tidal zone.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 59 — Now we start hiking along the lat tidal zone, which is about 4.5 miles.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 60 — There are some narrow pinch-points after Miller Flat.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 61 — You'll pass Shipman Creek, the first refuge if the tides are coming in.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 62 — And then beach gets sandy. No more big rock cobbles. You'll also be able to see Shelter Cove, the point at the end of the hook. That's the end of the hike.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 63 — And you'll pass Shipman Creek, another refuge and campsite.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 64 — And then you'll reach Gitchell Creek, the end of the last impassable tidal zone.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 65 — From here it's only about 4 miles until the end at Shelter Cove.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 67 — You'll pass Horse Mountain Creek.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 68 — And then pass large boulders that rolled down here many years ago. This area is on the Mendocino Triple Junction where three tectonic plates meet. There's frequent seismic activity.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 70 — Once past the boulders you'll be on the very wide Black Sands Beach. The end of the hike is up from shoreline, under the house on the hill.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 71 — Turn in at Telegraph Creek and follow it up.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 72 — And now you're on a trail.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 73 — And then you're at the trailhead. Hike up the street to the parking area.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 74 — Make the first left.

Lost Coast Trail Hike Directions 75 — And here you are, back at the start.

How To Hike Lost Coast Trail 2 — Thank you for using the guide and thank you for your support, I hope you enjoy the Lost Coast Trail as much as I do!

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

Related Guides

Timberline Trail Guide (Mt Hood)

Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier Hike Guide

California Riding and Hiking Trail (Joshua Tree)

Northern California Hikes

Backpacking Trips

Best Hikes in the World

Popular Guides

Backpacking For Beginners: Hiker → Backpacker

Hiking Boots or Shoes: Do I Really Need Hiking Boots?

When to Initiate a Backcountry Rescue (with Your Garmin InReach, PLB, or SPOT)

Garmin inReach FAQ: The Questions You Forgot to Ask

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

Don't Miss Out

Monthly(ish) Email Newsletter - A list of new guides and important info for hikers.
YouTube - Subscribe for new video notifications. The best way to get notified every time a new guide goes up.
Instagram - I occasionally share pretty pictures from my hikes, broadcast live from the trail, and let you know about new guides.