King Range National Conservation Area
Prior to purchasing a permit, please read all provided information under the above tabs ("Need to Know", "Fees/Cancellations", etc.)
The Bureau of Land Management's King Range National Conservation Area(NCA) is a spectacular meeting of land and sea, as it's mountains seem to thrust straight out of the surf, a precipitous rise rarely surpassed on the continental U.S. coastline. King Peak, the highest point at 4,088 feet, is only 3-miles from the ocean. The King Range NCA encompasses 68,000 acres along 35 miles of California's dramatic north coast. Here, the landscape was too rugged for highway building, forcing State Highway 1 inland. This remote region of mountains and seascapes is known as California's Lost Coast and is accessible only by a few back roads. It is the Nation's first NCA, designated in 1970. The King Range NCA's Douglas fir-covered peaks attract hikers, hunters, and campers, while the coast beckons to surfers, anglers, beachcombers, and many others. World-class mountain bike trails, and 42,585 acres of coastal wilderness are two of the highlights of this incredibly unique area.
Visitors planning to camp overnight anywhere in the King Range Wilderness must obtain a Wilderness Permit and will be asked to provide a tentative itinerary; including number of days in the wilderness, entrance trailhead, exit trailhead, and backcountry camp zones.
To assist in planning an overnight trip into the King Range Wilderness, take time to review the Trip Planning Guide, Tide Safety Guide, Map & Guide and Trail/Road Conditions documents under "Plan Your Visit" section of the BLM King Range website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/king-range-national-conservation-area.
The King Range Wilderness is home to the Lost Coast Trail, a backcountry coastal trail that travels along the beach and coastal bluffs. It's imperative that visitors plan this trip carefully, using the above resources to find important safety information.
Are you an organized group? A school group? A Boy or Girl Scout Troop? A Meetup group? A hiking organization? A commercial outfitter? A shuttle driver? All organized and commercial groups accessing the King Range Wilderness must obtain a Special Recreation Permit along with a Wilderness Permit from the King Range Project Office. Wilderness permits obtained from Recreation.gov alone are not sufficient for organized and commercial groups. Click here for more information and/or to request a Special Recreation Permit.
For more information or help planning your itinerary, call the King Range Project Office at (707) 986-5400.
A permit quota system has been established to ensure visitors a wilderness experience, free of large crowds on the trails. Permits are required year-round for overnight camping in the King Range Wilderness. No permit is required for day-use. The permit size is limited to 3 persons per permit. The start date of the permit is strictly monitored and visitors are required to begin their trip on the permitted start date, no exceptions. Early or late starts will not be authorized. Permit availability is based on the start date only. Permits are non-transferrable.
Learn more about the rules, regulations, and current conditions for King Range Wilderness.
Call the King Range Project Office for current conditions.
Printing Your Reserved Permit
You may print your permit as early as seven days before your reservation date. The permit must be carried by the permit holder. Permittee is responsible to educate all in their hiking party on these rules and stipulations. Permits are non-transferrable. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes to the permit. If you decide to cancel, please do so on your recreation.gov account in order to place them back in the quota system.
For more information or help planning your itinerary, call the King Range Project Office at (707) 986-5400.
Reservation Fee
*Organized groups include, but are not limited to: school groups, outdoor clubs, online meet-up groups, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, or any other organized group, outside of a family unit, that is cost-sharing for the trip.
Change Policy
The permit is non-transferable.
Group size can be reduced or increased prior to printing your permit. Please note that increases in group size will only be accommodated up to the available quota for the permitted entry day for your group.
Cancellation Policy
The $6 reservation fee is non-refundable. As a courtesy to other users, please cancel your permit or reduce your group size as needed to free up spots for other hikers.
768 Shelter Cove Road (Physical address) Whitethorn CA 95589
Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., PST, seven days a week.
707-986-5400