King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast)
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.
Permit & Season Information
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.
- The block of permits for each calendar year are released the preceding year on October 1 (e.g., 2022 permits are available October 1, 2021)
- 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 the Lost Coast Trail is not passable due to tide levels. See "Tide Safety Guide" on the BLM King Range website.
Need to Know
- ALERT: Backpackers on the Lost Coast Trail may face unsafe tide conditions at any time during the year. There are three sections that are impassible when the tide is over 3 feet. 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 (see planning resources on BLM King Range website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/king-range-national-conservation-area).
- Prior to purchasing your permit, learn about the impassable sections and make sure they are passable on your dates. Each year, some people purchase permits and are unable to pass on those dates and end up cancelling their trip.
Learn more about the rules, regulations, and current conditions for King Range Wilderness.
- Visitors should be aware that wilderness permits are required year-round for overnight camping within the wilderness area (including the Lost Coast 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).
- Be prepared for changing weather conditions. Storms can quickly make creeks impassable. Some sections of the Lost Coast Trail are impassable during high tide; consult a tide table when trip planning. Never turn your back on the ocean.
- Campfire permits are required when campfires are allowed. 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. Commercial filming on the ground is allowed with permit only.
Call the King Range Project Office for current conditions.
- Review the King Range Wilderness Checklist to prepare for your trip.
- Review the seven principles of Leave No Trace.
- Visitors hiking the Lost Coast Trail one-way will either need to bring an extra vehicle to drop-off at the finishing trailhead, or contact an authorized shuttle provider. These shuttles have proper licensing, insurance, and certifications needed to obtain a Special Use permit 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 in the King Range NCA.
- All roads in the King Range NCA are narrow, steep, winding and there are road and sections of roads that are gravel and/or have many potholes. Allow plenty of time between destinations. Find more information and travel times.
- Learn more about the King Range National Conservation Area.
- Plan ahead for winter trips. Winter storms and waves in the King Range can make portions or all of the Lost Coast Trail dangerous and even impossible to traverse, regardless of tidal level. Additionally, heavy rains may cause downed trees or landslides along upland trails and roads.
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.
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.
*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: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., PST, seven days a week.
Phone Number
707-986-5400
