Lost Coast Trail: Black Sands Beach to Mattole
Backpacking3 days25.1 mi (one-way)

Part of
The Lost Coast Trail Guide
UpcomingAdvanced release
tomorrow, 2 PM
Trips starting Jun 29
Best time
Itinerary
Black Sands Beach Trailhead
8.6 mi • 0 ft gain
Big Flat
8 mi • 200 ft gain
Randal Creek
8.4 mi • 200 ft gain
Mattole Trailhead
Driving directions,path-3+EE6D6D(qilsFlbitV%7BzBnFciAxc%40o%7CCdoCubDh_L%3F%3F%7Bp%40~%7CAucDl~CylFt~K%3F%3Fa%7DCveFysAjdA_nBpvDm%7CBnL%7DgAid%40),pin-s-circle+777(-124.07863,40.04521,15),pin-s-campsite+4bb159(-124.1754,40.12828,4),pin-s-campsite+4bb159(-124.28246,40.20066,6),pin-s-circle+777(-124.35604,40.28902,6)/auto/400x250@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1Ijoiam9yZGFudmluY2VudCIsImEiOiJjazN4ZnNzaWIwNHQxM2Zub211dnlxcXJmIn0.1Up4udxbdJyj8n3orz177w)
Open
How to get a permit
This trip requires a King Range Wilderness Permit (Lost Coast). Reservations depend on your start date:
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Trips starting between March 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026
Permits required. Quota in effect.
1st option
Online reservations
Closes day of
Book Get notified when we find cancellations
Release
3 months ahead at 7 AM PT
2nd option
In-person reservations
Opens day of
Permit details
Here is how to fill out the King Range Wilderness Permit (Lost Coast) application:
Starting Trailhead | Black Sands Beach Trailhead |
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Ending Trailhead | Mattole Trailhead |
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Select a start date
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