The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The northern 24.6 miles of Lost Creek Trail runs along the Pacific Ocean from Mattole Beach near King Range National Conservation Area in the south to Black Sands Beach near Shelter Cove in the north. It is the most popular stretch of this trail. Permits to hike this portion of the route must be obtained in advance. You may share the beaches with sea lions, and you will enjoy the stunning ocean views. The southern 32 miles of the trail runs from near Sinkyone Wilderness State Park to Usal Beach, and it is a great hiking opportunity for those looking for solitude.
Along the entire route, you will love the scenery of this trail as it runs along undeveloped beaches. You get close enough to the water that you can only hike portions of the trail during low tide. The northern part of this Northern California trail is about 120 miles south of Redwood National Park. While exploring the trail, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, staying in Bureau of Land Management campgrounds is a terrific option. Usually, you can stay for free or for a meager fee at these camping facilities for 14 out of 28 consecutive days in California. While most have limited services, they are often in very scenic locations.
This loop trail in King Range National Conservation Area runs to the summit of King Peak, where you will enjoy great views on a clear day. The northern portion of the trail is well maintained, so many hikers choose to reach the summit and return the way they came as it can be challenging to follow its course on the southern part of the loop. The creek is a welcomed resting spot on a warm day.
Length: 4.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This out-and-back trail in King Range National Conservation Area starts at the North Slide Trailhead, where you will follow an old road for about a mile before the course leaves the abandoned roadway. The rest of the trail follows a ridge while alternating between forested and desert areas. The trail ends at the summit of King Peak.
Length: 14.1 miles
Intensity: Strenuous
This out-and-back trail is the shortest trail up and down King Peak, and it gradually climbs over 1,900 feet in elevation. Maple Creek is located near the summit and offers hikers water year-round. You will enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby mountains from the summit.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
While you can find outstanding shore fishing in the Pacific Ocean from many locations along Lost Creek Trail, at King Range National Conservation Area, there are also many opportunities to fish in streams for perch, redfish, and trout. Anglers often catch the most fish in the spring using lugworms, sandworms, bloodworms, and gulp worms.
Climbing can be challenging to find in this area. You may want to head south to Mickey's Beach, where most of the climbs are right on the beach, and some require low tide before they are accessible. While many climbs are shorter sports climbs, there are also opportunities to go bouldering.
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is a fantastic place to view wildlife. Head to the beach in the winter and spring, and you will likely see gray whales swimming in the ocean. This park's rocky coves are home to sea lions and harbor seals. Further inland, you are likely to see Roosevelt elk.
Firemen's Park in Ferndale, California is an excellent place for a picnic. If you have children with you, they will love the playground. There are also basketball and volleyball courts. The community center within the park often hosts community activities.
You can find many BLM RV camping opportunities along the Lost Creek Trail. There are three campgrounds at King Range National Conservation Area. Mattole Campground is near Mattole Beach at the north end of the conservation area and has 14 camping sites. Tolkan Campground is a terrific option in Bureau of Land Management campgrounds when you start looking for "BLM camping near me" after playing on the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trail System or at Tolkan Terrain Park. Nadelos Campground is on Chemise Mountain Road, and it offers minimal services. Usal Beach Campground at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park can be challenging to access with an RV, but they are not prohibited.
If you are hiking along Lost Creek Trail and looking for free camping, consider Horse Mountain Campground. This Bureau of Land Management camping site has no facilities, but you will love the scenery near King Peak. Lacks Creek Management Area is a Bureau of Land Management camping facility near Blue Lake, California that offers 10 sites widely spaced around a boat landing.
While you'll be near the beach on the Lost Creek Trail, it's important to keep in mind that Northern California can get quite cool no matter the time of year. Prepare by packing various types of clothing, and don't forget to bring rain gear. You can contact the King Range National Conservation Area office for current weather conditions.
In addition to preparing for the weather, you must spend some time planning your hike on the Lost Creek Trail. Calculate your starting time carefully to pass through certain areas during low tide. Most hikers find that if they start their hike two hours after high tide, they come through these areas without an issue. Additionally, as you are hiking, you will see a large rock with a hat shape on top of it. You must leave the coastal trail at this point, and the top of the hat points you to an inland overhead trail. The terrain near Sea Lion Gulch cannot be hiked at this point, so watch for the rock.
Staying in a Bureau of Land Management free camping and low-cost camping facilities is a wonderful way to explore different places, including the Lost Creek Trail. Before you head out on your next camping adventure, read more about BLM camping before your trip.
One aspect of Leave No Trace principles that people often overlook is trail etiquette. Always try to walk in the middle of the trail to avoid accidentally stepping on tender vegetation near the trail's edge. Only boondock in areas where you see that people have camped before you. Remove fallen limbs from the path whenever possible instead of walking off course to go around them. Of course, you should also always pack out all your trash.
If you want to hike the entire Lost Creek Trail from north to south, start at Mattole Beach. Head south out of Petrolia on Mattole Road. In about 0.8 miles, turn right on Lighthouse Road. This road curves a little, but always stay to the right. You will see the beach in about five miles.
Address: Lost Creek Trail, Mattole Beach, Petrolia, California 95536
Ready to visit Lost Creek Trail? 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.
