The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is tasked with managing federal public lands for a range of uses, including some amazing outdoor recreation. To keep its natural treasures accessible to all, over 99% of BLM land and water is available for recreational use at no charge. However, there is sometimes a fee to stay at developed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds.
The BLM's Lost Coast Headlands site in Northern California is a sensational meeting of land and sea that beckons you to explore its 463 coastal acres. The Lost Coast got its name because this section of California coast was too rugged to support highway construction, so it has remained remote and seemingly untouched by the ravages of "progress." While you're in the area, drive up the coast for an hour to arrive at the awe-inspiring Redwood National Park.
The Lost Coast Trail is a mostly level 24.6-mile route along the rugged coastline, offering incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities. If you want to backpack the entire trail, plan to spend about three days doing it. A backcountry permit from the BLM office is required for this hike.
Length: 24.6
Intensity: Moderate
This out-and-back trail is an easy, peaceful trek down to a black-sand beach with a moderately challenging hike back up to the trailhead.
Length: 1.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Explore this beautiful out-and-back trail that's thick with ferns and provides gorgeous views of Ferndale. You can explore at a leisurely pace, resting at benches along the path.
Length: 2.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail with interpretive signs winds along Humboldt Bay's shoreline, offering views of salt-marsh and riverine habitat, sand dunes, and patches of coastal willows. It also provides easy access to Eureka's fascinating Old Town. The paved trail is suitable for biking and rollerblading in addition to walking.
Length: 6.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Eel River's emerald waters hold fish like chinook and rainbow trout whereas Humboldt Bay and nearby tidal sloughs are fishable for catches like sharks, rays, halibut, and starry flounder. Just make sure you have a California fishing license before casting a line. The Eel River is also a prime site for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Moonstone Beach is 47 miles north of this BLM site but well worth the drive for rock climbers, especially those of the bouldering type. Check out the four clusters of sandstone boulders and cliffs. Climbs for all skill levels and soft sand to cushion your landings make Moonstone Beach a magnet for climbers.
Whirlwinds of birds fly above the Lost Coast Headlands and descend at the nearby Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, an important layover along the Pacific Flyway. Loons, grebes, double-crested cormorants, and 10 varieties of sandpiper are just some of the birds you might spot there. Harbor porpoises, California sea lions, river otters, harbor seals, and gray whales are found in and around the water surrounding the headlands. Other non-human residents you could see on a hike are black-tailed deer, bears, and mountain lions.
A few picnic tables dot the gravel trails on the Lost Coast Headlands, and rolling out a blanket for a picnic on Clam Beach is always an option. For more amenities, consider going to Fireman's Park in Ferndale to enjoy a picnic area with a playground and bocce courts.
The Lost Coast Headlands are open for day use only, but there are plenty of places to camp in the region. One of the best Lost Coast Bureau of Land Management campgrounds is the Mattole Campground in Petrolia. This small campground has 14 campsites for tents or trailers that you can stay at for an $8 nightly fee. Picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets are on site, and wheelchair-accessible campsites are available at this BLM RV camping location.
The Humboldt County Fairground has an RV campground with more than 60 sites featuring electrical hookups and water. You can reserve a spot, but it's not required. It costs $20 to camp in a space without hookups and from $35 to $45 a night for RV camping with water and electrical hookups. The use of showers and a dump station is included for all guests.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available on most BLM public lands away from developed facilities in what is referred to as "dispersed camping." Before you set up for the night, just check that there are no posted signs that say "closed to camping." The gravel pull-offs along Mattole Road north of Petrolia are known spots for primitive RV camping. Search for "BLM camping near me" to find more options wherever you go.
One of the most important elements of planning your trip to the Lost Coast is checking tide predictions, which are provided by the National Weather Service. Depending on the tides, sections of the Lost Coast Trail can become completely impassable. From October to April, heavy winter rains also can make portions or all of the trail impossible to navigate. Contact the Arcata BLM Field Office for updates on conditions.
The Lost Coast has cool, wet winters and dry summers. It's advised to dress in layers to keep up with the changeable weather during your Bureau of Land Management camping adventure.
Coastal creeks provide fresh water; just make sure to purify it before use. There's less water on upland trails, so pack your own for higher-elevation hikes. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Leave No Trace is a code of outdoor ethics that helps us all play a part in preserving public lands. Make sure to gather up all your belongings and trash. Note that leaving plastic refuse on the beach is harmful to wildlife because it looks like food to them but can be deadly if ingested.
From Eureka, get on Highway 101 S and drive 13.6 miles to Singley Road in Loleta. Then, take exit 692 toward Ferndale/Fernbridge. Follow CA-211 S and Centerville Road for 10.8 miles to reach the Lost Coast Headlands parking area, which will be on your right.
Address: Arcata Field Office, Arcata, CA 95521
Ready to visit Lost Coast Headlands? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
