The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
If you love looking at seals and sea lions in their natural habitat, head to Seal Rock in Shelter Cover, part of Whitethorn, California. The bluff above the Pacific Ocean is also an ideal spot for gray whale watching in the spring and fall. Informational signs are posted nearby to help you learn more about what you see. While you cannot camp at Seal Rock, there are terrific options nearby, including Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, where you can often camp for free or at a nominal charge for up to 14 days. Seal Rock is about 35 miles southwest of Redwood National Park and about 250 miles east of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The Black Sands Beach Trail starts at Black Sands Beach and runs to the mouth of Jones Creek. You will love seeing the unique black sand at the start of this trail. It offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean at many points along its course. Length: 3.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
While you will need to get a permit ahead of time, climbing to the top of King Peak in the King Ranch National Conservation Area is worth it. The north side of this looped trail features stunning views from vistas before the trail heads south through a grove and a canyon. The end of this trail often stays snow-covered longer than the surrounding area and can get slippery. Length: 4.8 miles Intensity: Moderate
This is a beautiful place to go for a springtime hike when the Douglas irises are blooming. It starts at Black Sands Beach, and you must get a permit to be in the King Range Wilderness. Much of the trail is heavy black sand. Length: 13.4 miles Intensity: Moderate
Jackrabbit Lake is about 10 miles east of Shelter Cove and is an ideal place to go fishing for spotted, white and striped bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. This lake in the Sierra National Forest is also a perfect spot to paddle because of its natural surroundings. This lake in the Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area is also a terrific place to swim, and a small campground is nearby.
Start a climbing adventure at Mattole Beach by heading south on the Lost Creek Trail. Along the path are several boulders between 6 and 22 feet tall, which are great places to climb while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean. Note that areas along the trail are often only accessible during low tide.
Seal Rock is a perfect place to see harbor seals, sea lions and gray whales, but you may also want to see the wildlife in the King Range National Conservation Area. In particular, consider heading to the Punta Gorda Lighthouse to see the elephant seals. Black-tailed deer, black bears and mountain lions are often spotted along trails. You will also want to watch overhead, where you might see bald eagles, American peregrine falcons, osprey and spotted owls.
Benbow State Recreation Area is a terrific place for a picnic. It offers several secluded picnic shelters with barbecue grills. Consider sites along the Eel River, and enjoy your lunch before fishing for white salmon and steelhead trout.
While there is no RV camping at Seal Rock, there are beautiful BLM camping near me options when visiting this area. There are eight campsites at Nadelos Campground, which is about 20 miles north of Seal Rock on the Mattole River's banks. Mountain bikers, in particular, will want to check out Tolkan Campground because it is on the edge of the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trail. Those looking for a more developed camping experience with frequent weekend activities will want to consider Shelter Cove RV Park and Deli.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is unavailable at Seal Rock, but there are fantastic free camping sites nearby. There are 13 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables at Wailaki Campground, located about 30 minutes south of Seal Rock. Horse Mountain Primitive Camp offers campsites near terrific mountain biking and hiking trails. Campers wanting a beach camping experience will want to go to Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.
Seal Rock is a fantastic place to go whale watching. You will want to bring binoculars to see better. The best binoculars are 7×35 or 8×32 because their compact size makes them easy to carry. They are light enough that most people can easily handle them with one hand. This size of binoculars is also perfect for birdwatching. When visiting Seal Rock, you are on the edge of the small town of Shelter Cove. Black Sands Beach often has tidepools to explore. Conditions are often suitable for surfing. Regardless of what you do, planning a camping trip to Shelter Cove is a terrific opportunity to build memories with friends and family. Before leaving home, learn more about BLM camping by reading this blog.
Seal Rock is visited by many people every year. Therefore, make sure that you take your trash with you or put it in the proper place. Debris can easily harm the marine life at this site or blow into the ocean. "Leave No Trace" practices are appreciated.
Getting to Seal Rock from the King Range National Conservation Area is easy. Start by heading south on King Range Road. After it turns to the right, it becomes Saddle Mountain Road. Turn right on King Peek Road. Then, turn right on Shelter Cove Road. Turn right on Upper Pacific Road and left on Lower Pacific Road. Seal Rock will be on the right. Address: Seal Rock, Lower Pacific Road, Whitethorn, California 95589 Ready to visit Seal Rock? 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.
