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Kings Range (Lost Coast) Wilderness Permits

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

Overnight permit for the King Range Wilderness (Lost Coast) in Northern California, managed by the BLM as part of the King Range National Conservation Area. The landscape is too rugged for highways -- mountains rise to 4,088 ft just three miles from the Pacific, earning it the name "The Lost Coast." The marquee route is the Lost Coast Trail, ~25 miles along the beach between Mattole Trailhead (near Petrolia) and Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove). Single division covering all overnight use in the entire wilderness, including upland trails. No trailhead or zone selection -- just a daily entry quota for the whole area.

Bottom Line

Not a lottery -- rolling 90-day FCFS window, with permits releasing daily at 7:00 AM PST, 90 days ahead. Peak season (May--Jun weekends) sells out quickly on release day. The quota varies by day -- up to 57 people online on high-demand dates, fewer on quieter days. Walk-up permits for up to 3 starts are available by lottery at the King Range Visitor Center (Mon--Fri at 8:00 AM). Cancellations return immediately, so alerts are worth setting. One active permit per person at a time, which limits hoarding. Midweek dates and shoulder season (early spring, late fall) are significantly easier. Critical constraint beyond availability: you must check tides before booking since 3 sections of the Lost Coast Trail are impassable at certain tide levels, and some dates have no passable window at all.

Quotas and Reservations

Permits required year-round for overnight use. Day use does not require a permit.

  • Rolling 90-day FCFS -- permits open at 7:00 AM PST, 90 days before entry date
  • Daily quota varies by date, up to 57 people for online reservations
  • Walk-up permits: up to 3 starts available by lottery at the Visitor Center (Mon--Fri, 8:00 AM); unclaimed walk-ups go FCFS after lottery
  • One active permit per person at a time
  • Permit must be printed before your trip (printable 7 days before entry); once printed, no changes allowed
  • Permit is non-transferable -- permittee must carry it and be on the trip

Fees

  • $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
  • $12/person/trip Special Area Fee (no fee for youth under 16)
  • Reservation fee ($6) is never refunded
  • Special Area Fee is refundable only if cancelled 7+ days before entry date

Group Size and Rules

  • Max group size: 15 (organized/commercial groups require a separate Special Recreation Permit -- SRP)
  • Hard-sided bear canisters required -- one per person minimum; bear bags/hangs not allowed; fines for non-compliance
  • CAL FIRE campfire permit required for any campfire or camp stove use
  • Campfires prohibited July through October; use existing fire rings only when fires are allowed
  • Deposit solid waste in 6-inch hole in the intertidal zone (between water and high tide line) -- never near campsites; pack out all toilet paper and wipes
  • No drones in the wilderness
  • Dogs not recommended (allowed but discouraged)
  • Check tides before booking -- 3 impassable zones on the Lost Coast Trail require specific tide thresholds:
    • Punta Gorda (1/4 mile): passable under ~6 ft
    • Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek (4 miles): passable under 2.5 ft
    • Miller Flat to Gitchell Creek (4.5 miles): passable under 3 ft
  • Always enter impassable zones on a receding tide and plan travel at 1 mph
  • Some calendar dates have no passable window at all -- permits are still sold for upland trails on those dates

Cancellation Policy

  • $6 reservation fee: never refunded
  • $12/person Special Area Fee: refunded only if cancelled or group size reduced 7+ days before entry date
  • Permit is non-transferable -- cannot be given to another person
  • Group size can be increased (subject to quota) or reduced before printing
  • No changes allowed once permit is printed

Availability