King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast)
King Range National Conservation Area
Prior to purchasing a permit, it is imperative that you check the tides for your chosen dates to ensure the trail is passable. See "Tide Safety Guide", "Trip Planning Guide" and "Map & Guide" to the right on this page in order to safely choose your dates. These permits are for the entire King Range Wilderness, not just the Lost Coast Trail. You are responsible to read and understand all provided information under the above tabs ("Need to Know", "Fees/Cancellations", etc.).
The Bureau of Land Management's King Range National Conservation Area(KRNCA) 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 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. 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 an itinerary; including number of days in the wilderness, entrance & exit trailhead, and backcountry campsites.
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 provided resources to find important safety information.
To assist in planning an overnight trip into the King Range Wilderness in the uplands or on the Lost Coast Trail, 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. Be aware that not all social media pages have correct and/or up-to-date information.
Are you an organized group? School group? 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 from the King Range Project Office. Wilderness permits obtained from Recreation.gov are NOT sufficient. 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.
Notifications and Alerts
Beware! Due to high tides the Lost Coast Trail will be impassible during daylight hours on these dates in 2023: January 12-13; July 28-29; August 10-12, 24-28; September 6-10; 21-25; October 4-8, 20-23; November 1-6, 18-20; December 1-5, 16-18, 30-31. (*These dates are based on a metric of tide height remaining above 3 feet from sunrise to sunset. Dates excluded from this list are not guaranteed to be safe for traversal.)
Remember to always check the tides PRIOR to purchasing a permit. In addition, the geography of the LCT has changed over the years and there are multiple pinch points that become difficult to pass, even between tides of 2.5 to 3 feet. Therefore, you should go through these areas at the lowest tide possible. From the north: 1) 0.25 miles south of Cooskie Spur, 2) rock face on the north bank of Randall Creek. Also note that at Split Rock, which is 1.5 miles north of Black Sands Beach, you must traverse the area closest to the bluff, rather than between or in front of the rocks. Give yourself a large tide window, start on the receding tide, do not take chances! Call the Visitor Center for more information 707-986-5400.
Beware! Due to high tides the Lost Coast Trail will be impassible during daylight hours on these dates in 2022: Sept. 4-6, 17-21; October 1-4, 14-19, 29-31; Nov 1-2, 14-17, 29-30; Dec 13-15, 27-28. (*These dates are based on a metric of tide height remaining above 3 feet from sunrise to sunset. Dates excluded from this list are not guaranteed to be safe for traversal.)
Remember to always check the tides PRIOR to purchasing a permit. In addition, the geography of the LCT has changed over the years and there are multiple pinch points that become difficult to pass, even between tides of 2.5 to 3 feet. Therefore, you should go through these areas at the lowest tide possible. From the north: 1) 0.25 miles south of Cooskie Spur, 2) rock face on the north bank of Randall Creek. Also note that at Split Rock, which is 1.5 miles north of Black Sands Beach, you must traverse the area closest to the bluff, rather than between or in front of the rocks. Give yourself a large tide window, start on the receding tide, do not take chances! Call the Visitor Center for more information 707-986-5400.
Permit & Season Information
A permit quota system has been established to ensure a wilderness experience free of large crowds. Permits are required year-round for overnight camping in the King Range Wilderness. The permit size is limited to 3 persons. The entry date of the permit is strict; visitors are required to begin their trip on the permitted entry date, no exceptions. Early or late starts are not authorized. Permit availability is based on the start date only. Permits are non-transferrable. Organized and commercial groups must obtain a Special Recreation Permit in lieu of the wilderness permit. Be kind--cancel your permit if you decide not to use it.
- Permits for each calendar year are released the preceding year on October 1 (e.g., 2023 permits are released 10/1/22)
- 1 active permit allowed per customer
- It's imperative that visitors to the Lost Coast Trail check the tides PRIOR to purchasing a permit, as some days it is not passable due to tide levels. See "Tide Safety Guide" on the BLM King Range website.
Need to Know
- Before purchasing permits, please watch this video on tide planning: https://youtu.be/GGILd6ZWw0k (also available to the right, "Tide Safety & Planning")
- ALERT: There are three sections on the Lost Coast Trail that are impassible at certain tide levels.
- #1: Punta Gorda--passable under ~5 feet;
- #2: Sea Lion to Randall--passable under 2.5 feet (always enter this section on receding tide);
- #3: Miller to Gitchell--passable under 3 feet (always enter this section on a receding tide.
- Prior to purchasing your permit, study the trail and impassable sections to ensure your dates are safe and passable. The Lost Coast Trail hike takes proper itinerary planning to ensure safety and passage.
- On the below dates in 2023, the tides do not fall below 3 ft. during daylight hrs, making through passage impossible:
- January: 12, 13
- July: 28, 29
- August: 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
- September: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
- October: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23
- November: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18, 19, 20
- December: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18, 30, 31
- These permits are for the entire King Range NCA, therefore permits on impassable dates remain for sale. Do not assume the trail is passable if the permit is for sale.
- Weather, wind, swells, and other events may also affect the tide levels. Unfortunately, each year, hikers are swept out to sea, often due to poor planning.
- It's your duty to research and understand these dangers and ensure each person on your permit is aware of these safety concerns.
- Permits are required year-round for overnight camping in the wilderness area. Printed permit is required on trail. Be prepared to present it to the Ranger at the trailheads and on the trail.
- Hard-sided bear canisters are required; find detailed information and rental locations.
- Deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp, and trails. Along the Lost Coast Trail, dig your hole in the intertidal zone (wet sand near the ocean). Always pack out your toilet paper!
- Be prepared for changing weather conditions. Storms can quickly make creeks impassable. Wind, swells and wave height will have effects on your planned tide predictions, and may cause additional areas to be impassable. Never turn your back on the ocean. Never swim in the ocean anywhere on the Lost Coast.
- Campfire permits are required when campfires are allowed, and are also required to use your campstove. You must have a CalFire Campfire permit along with this Wilderness Permit in order to be in compliance. Obtain the campfire permit online: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/. Campfires are prohibited approximately mid-June through mid-October. Some years, extreme fire weather will also prohibit campstoves, campfires, or any open flame, usually in August to the end of fire season.
- DRONES are NOT allowed in the King Range Wilderness.
- Review the King Range Wilderness Checklist to prepare for your trip.
- Review the seven principles of Leave No Trace.
- Many visitors use a shuttle service when hiking the Lost Coast, contact an authorized shuttle provider. These shuttles have proper licensing, insurance, and certifications for shuttle driving and commercial use in the King Range. Any offers not on this list do not have the proper permit for shuttle services.
- All roads in the King Range NCA are narrow, steep, and winding. Sections of road are gravel and paved sections have potholes. Allow plenty of time between destinations. Find more information and travel times.
Printing Your Reserved Permit
You may print your permit as early as 7 days before your reservation date. The permit must be carried by the permit holder. Permittee is responsible to educate all in hiking party on all information on permit. Permits are non-transferrable. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes. If you decide to cancel, please do so on your recreation.gov account.
For more information call the King Range Visitor Center at (707) 986-5400.
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.
- For organized* and commercial groups, both a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) and Wilderness Permit are required. For these groups, there is a use fee of either $6 per person per day or 3% of the trips total gross earnings, with a minimum $115 deposit due with submission of the SRP application. If you have any questions as to your group's status, or to request a SRP application packet, please contact the King Range Project Office at 707-986-5400.
- Individual permits are good up to 14 days, however, correct ENTRY date is required. SRP groups must follow approved itinerary exactly.
*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.
Cancellation Policy
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.
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
