King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast) - Trips Starting Before 3/1/2025
King Range National Conservation Area
It is imperative that you check the tides for your chosen dates to ensure the trail is passable prior to purchasing a permit. Please review the Tide Safety Guide , Tide Safety Video, Trip Planning Guide , and Map & Guide. King Range Wilderness Permits are for the entire King Range Wilderness, not only the Lost Coast Trail. As the permit holder, YOU are responsible for reading and understanding all information under each of the above tabs ("Need to Know", "Fees/Cancellations", etc.).
The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) is a spectacular meeting of land and sea, as its 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 National Conservation Area, designated in 1970. The King Range NCA's hardwood and Douglas fir-covered peaks attract hikers, hunters, and campers, while the coast beckons to surfers, anglers, and beachcombers. In 2006, the King Range Wilderness was designated and currently protects 42,694 acres of coastal wilderness and is home to the Lost Coast Trail, a secluded coastal trail that travels along beach and coastal bluffs.
Visitors planning to camp overnight anywhere in the King Range Wilderness must obtain a Wilderness Permit and will be asked to provide backcountry camping locations (for safety only), number of days in the wilderness, and entrance & exit trailheads.
Special Recreation Permits
Are you an organized group? school? scout troop? meetup group? hiking organization? commercial outfitter? shuttle driver? All organized and commercial groups visiting the King Range Wilderness must obtain a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) from the King Range Visitor Center. Wilderness permits obtained from Recreation.gov are NOT sufficient for these groups.
SRP Application Window: 10/1 through 1/31
SRP Season: 4/1 through 10/14
Be prepared to include a detailed trip itinerary including specific tide windows with your SRP application. SRP groups must follow approved itinerary exactly. No SRP groups will be allowed at Sea Lion Gulch, Randall Cr, Shipman Cr and Buck Cr between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends due to limited camping space. If your group cannot make it from Mattole to Cooskie Cr due to tides/impassable areas, consider south to north trek.
For more information or help planning your itinerary, call the King Range Project Office at (707) 986-5400.
Notifications and Alerts
King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast) is transitioning to a new Recreation.gov webpage for reservations. If you'd like to reserve a trip that starts before March 1, 2025, you're in the right place. Please use this page to view availability and book a reservation. If you're interested in reserving a trip that starts on or after March 1, 2025, please visit King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast) - Trips Starting 3/1/2025 and After.
Attention Hikers: Use caution when hiking near coastal bluffs, especially following and during periods of heavy rainfall. There are various active landslides along the Lost Coast Trail, including areas between Sea Lion Gulch-Randall Creek and Shipman Creek-Gitchell Creek. SIGNIFICANT LANDSLIDE located 0.5 miles North of Black Sands Beach (Kaluna Cliff area), where quicksand-like mud, rock, and woody debris cover the entirety of the beach. Assess the scene before continuing over this landslide, and hesitate if the ground feels unstable. This slide is very unstable during and after heavy rainfall which could render this portion of the trail impassable. The debris should solidify after a period of dry weather. For questions regarding how this might affect your hike, please call the BLM King Range Visitor Center at 707-986-5400 to speak with a park ranger. As a reminder, please cancel your permit reservation if you are no longer planning to visit.
During the winter, storms and high water in creeks make the Lost Coast Trail impassable and very dangerous. Also, there are dates that the low tide does not fall below the threshold level needed to pass safely, making the Lost Coast Trail completely impassible. Often permits are not sold or become available on dates with unfavorable tide thresholds. Always check the tides and the weather BEFORE PURCHASING A PERMIT. A list of 2025 impassible dates are provided in the "Need to Know". Please visit the Lost Coast responsibly! See the Tide Safety Video and the Guide to Tide Safety. Check the National Weather Service to get weather forecast. Call the King Range Visitor Center for other options on these dates (707)986-5400.
Earthquakes & Tsunami Warnings
The Lost Coast is home to the Mendocino Triple Junction near Cape Mendocino, at the end of the San Andreas fault, and is one of the most seismically active regions in California. On 12/5/24, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 43 miles offshore of Petrolia and Tsunami warnings were issued along the North Coast. The area continues to experience aftershocks.
If a strong earthquake occurs while you are on the beach, move to higher ground immediately! It is recommended to move at least 100 feet above sea level or 2 miles inland if on level land.
Permit & Season Information
In the King Range Wilderness, a permit quota system has been set up to ensure visitors a wilderness experience free of large crowds and an opportunity for solitude. The permit quota system sets a limit to the number of people that can start their overnight trip into the King Range Wilderness each day (see below). Permits are required year-round for overnight use in the King Range Wilderness.
New Permit Information as of October 1, 2023:
Permits are sold on a 3-month rolling window reservation system. Each day, new permits will become available for 3-months in advance. The daily reservation window opens at 7:00 a.m. For example: on 10/1/23, permits will open for 1/1/24; on 10/2/23, permits will open for 1/2/24 and so on.
One walk-up permit for up to 2 starts (people) will be sold daily at the King Range Visitor Center. First come, first served.
Need to Know
Impassable Zones
ALERT: There are three sections on the Lost Coast Trail that are impassable at certain tide levels.
#1: Punta Gorda--passable under 6 feet
#2: Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek--passable under 2.5 feet (always enter this section on receding tide)
#3: Miller Flat to Gitchell Creek--passable under 3 feet (always enter this section on a receding tide.
Before purchasing permits, please watch Tide Safety Video. Study the trail and impassable sections to ensure your dates are safe and passable. The Lost Coast Trail takes proper itinerary planning to ensure safety and passage. This must occur prior to purchasing a permit.
Impassable Dates
On the below dates in 2024, the tides do not fall below 3 ft. during daylight hours:
January: 1, 2
July: 16, 30
August: 13, 14, 15, 16, 27, 28, 29
September: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
October: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
November: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
December: 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 22
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are permits available on impassable days? Permits are for the entire King Range NCA, therefore permits on impassable tide dates remain for sale. Do not assume the Lost Coast Trail is passable if the permit is for sale.
Do I have to start my hike on the first day listed on my permit? Yes, the correct entry date is required, no exceptions.
Do I need a permit for day use in the King Range Wilderness? No, permits are required for overnight use only.
Can I transfer my permit to another person? No, permits are non-transferable.
How do I cancel my permit if I decide to not go? Log on to your Recreation.gov account.
How many people can hike together in a group? Maximum group size is 15 people. All organized and commercial groups need a Special Recreation Permit.
Why should I check the marine forecast in addition to the weather? Weather, wind, and ocean swells may affect the ability to traverse safely on the LCT. A large swell can shorten the amount of time to get through a tidal zone safely. Long period secondary swells can mean an increased likelihood of sneaker waves. This can mean life or death as dangerous ocean conditions have resulted in hikers being swept out to sea.
Can I swim in the ocean? No. Never never swim, wade, or use skim boards in the ocean anywhere on the Lost Coast due to rip currents, strong undertow, and sneaker waves.
Who is responsible for making sure our group is safe on the LCT? It is your duty as a permit holder to ensure each person on your permit is aware of all rules & safety concerns.
Who is checking permits? Rangers at the trailheads and on trail.
Are hard-sided bear canisters are required? Yes, bear hangs are not acceptable. Find detailed information and rental locations.
Where do I use the bathroom on the LCT? Deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8" deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from fresh water, camp, and trails. Along the LCT, dig your hole in the intertidal zone and bury completely. Always pack out or bury your toilet paper.
How deep are the creek crossings? Heavy rainfall will cause water levels in the creek to rise to unsafe levels. Do not cross if over knee high. Be prepared for changing weather conditions and call your ranger station for current conditions.
Can I have a campfire? It depends on the time of year. You must have a CalFire Campfire permit in addition to a Wilderness Permit. Use existing campfire rings and naturalize your campsite upon departure. Campfires are prohibited approx. July through mid-October.
Can I bring my drone on the Lost Coast Trail? DRONES are NOT allowed.
Printing Your Reserved Permit
You may print your permit 7 days before your reservation date. The permit must be carried by the permit holder. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee
For individuals and family groups: there is currently no recreation fee for a King Range Wilderness Permit. However, there is a non-refundable reservation fee of $6 per permit on Recreation.gov.
Special Recreation Permit(SRP): Organized* and Commercial group fees:
- Organized group fee: $7 per person, per day
- Commercial group fee: 3% of total gross earnings
- Commercial group fee (institutional): $7 per person, per day
There is a minimum $130 fee for all SRP groups. A deposit is due with submission of the SRP application.
*Organized groups include, but are not limited to school/classrooms trips, outdoor clubs, online meet-up groups, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, or any other organized group, outside of a family unit.
For guidance on type of SRP group and to request an SRP application, contact the King Range Visitor Center at 707-986-5400.
Cancellation Policy
Change Policy
• The permit is non-transferable.
• The group size can be reduced or increased up to 7 days prior to printing your permit . Please note that increases in group size will only be accommodated up to the availability 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.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
768 Shelter Cove Road (Physical address) Whitethorn CA 95589
Office Hours: 8:00a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time
Phone Number
707-986-5400
