King Range National Conservation Area

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Hiking to Punta Gorda Lighthouse in King Range National Conservation Area

Hiking to Punta Gorda Lighthouse in King Range National Conservation Area

Hiking to Punta Gorda Lighthouse in King Range National Conservation Area

Hiking to Punta Gorda Lighthouse in King Range National Conservation Area

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and first-time campers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Reservation · Nope! It's first-come, first serve (FCFS)

Drive · 5.5 hours from SF

Ideal dates · May to October

Pets · Welcome at camp and on trails

King Range is the country's first ever National Conservation Area. This remote 65,000-acre stretch of NorCal coastline is strikingly beautiful. It has 80+ miles of trails spanning from the beach to King Peak (4,088 feet), world-class mountain biking trails and it's home to the popular Lost Coast Trail, a 24.6 mile backpacking trek. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and was deemed a wilderness area in 2006, which is why there are no amenities and minimal signage in the backcountry, and no drinking water at campgrounds, but the "primitive" parts is what makes this one of the most spectacular seascapes in CA.

Official King Range NCA Website

Latest Road and Trail Report

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: N/A

Stuff to know

  • There are bears in King Range, but they aren't habituated to eat our food. Squirrels, raccoons, and birds will still make a go for your snacks so store food, trash, and scented items in your car overnight and whenever you leave camp
  • Campfires in metal fire pits are allowed
  • Coastal weather can quickly go from sunny skies to windy, rainy nights. Secure your tent to the ground and bring layers for all seasons
  • Check yo' tides! Know exactly when it's going to be high/low tide before you hike along the beach. Read this tide safety guide.
Check the weather
King Range National Conservation Area

Where to camp

Mattole Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • A fire pit and grill
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • 2 parking spots

King Range NCA has four campgrounds: Mattole, Tolkan, Nadelos, and Wailiki. They're all FCFS and don't have running water, but they do have picnic tables, fire pits, trash collection, and vault restrooms.

Mattole is the only beachfront campground that gives you access to Mattole River and Mattole Beach. There are only 15 campsites available, which are usually taken on weekends, but emptier on weekdays. Check-out is at 11 AM so arrive as early as you can to snag a campsite just as people are leaving. Once you find an open campsite, park your car at the site, and walk over to the information board to pay your nightly camping fee. Bring cash or checks! The drive to Mattole Campground is on a windy dirt road, which is doable in a 2WD car, but easier in a 4WD.

Mattole Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

The Peg House
The Peg House. Credit: Yelp

Leave SF as early as you can and stop by The Peg House for a bite

  • Diners love their burgers, sandwiches, and fried oysters!
  • Located at 69501 US-101 in Leggett
  • Open everyday from 7 AM - 9 PM
  • Last pit stop · Shell - 600 Redway Drive in Redway

Snag a first-come, first-serve campsite at Mattole Campground

  • Mattole campground has 15 FCFS campsites, but if it's full when you arrive, you can double back on Lighthouse Road to Mattole Road and check out Arthur M. Way County Park. It's a 25-minute drive from Mattole campground to the county park, but there are 30 first-come, first-serve campsites and a coin-operated shower at Arthur M. Way.
  • Mattole Beach is also where most backpackers begin their trek along the Lost Coast Trail

Set up camp and chillax!

  • Congrats, you scored a FCFS campsite! Explore the campground and dip your toes into the ocean!

Enjoy a sunset dinner and s'mores

  • Cook dinner, huddle around the campfire and enjoy an evening of stargazing and delicious treats.
The King Range coastline was too rugged for Highway 1 to be built so it was pushed inland. Only a few roads can reach what is now called The Lost Coast.

Day Two

Punta Gorda Lighthouse
Punta Gorda Lighthouse. Credit: Marinas.com

Make brekkie, pack lunch, and day hike to Punta Gorda Lighthouse via the Lost Coast Trail

  • This is a 7 mile round-trip coastal hike with 383 feet of elevation gain. Check yo' tides! There's a section of this trail that's impassable during high tide.
  • Bring at least 2 liters of water, snacks, sunscreen, sun hat, bug spray, and a jacket since it's almost always windy along the coast
  • You'll be walking on sand so the hike will be slower going. Give yourself plenty of time.
  • Explore black-sand beaches, tide pools, and dunes along the way
  • There's a stream crossing near the lighthouse so be prepared if you get a bit wet

Have lunch and enjoy the views at Punta Gorda Lighthouse

  • The lighthouse was built in 1912 and is now a historical landmark, albeit not in the greatest condition.
  • That being said, it's a cool, secluded viewpoint. There's an elephant seal colony near Punta Gorda so keep an eye out for some wildlife

Return and unwind back at camp

  • Clean yourself off andgo wade in Mattole River
  • If you bring your own inner tube(s) you can also float along Mattole River

Cook up din-din and dessert

  • Savor your last evening at Mattole Campground
The Mattole and Sinkyone tribes were the area's earliest inhabitants. They thrived on salmon from Mattole River.

DAY THREE

King Range National Conservation Area
King Range NCA

Cook up brekkie, pack up, and check out by 11 AM

  • Clean up around camp and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

The Punta Gorda Lighthouse in King Range NCA was known as the “Alcatraz of lighthouses” because of its remoteness.
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Shop curated gear

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Bezzi's Pick
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Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

You won't be saving money, but you'll save space and weight with these camp sandals.

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REI Co-op Grand Hut 6 Tent

Sleepover! This is a tent you can stand up in and have plenty of space for air mattresses, doggos, and more.

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Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A reliable, popular, and relatively affordable dual-burner camping stove that is fairly heavy, but performs well.

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FreeWheel Black Wheelchair Attachment

It's pricey, but the New York Times' Wirecutter recommended this attachment as a way for wheelchair users to navigate uneven terrain.

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Advantage Wallaby Wheelchair Down Under Catch All Bag

Instead of transporting stuff on your lap, use this storage bag to easily store items underneath your wheelchair.

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Purell Hand Sanitizer with Jelly Wrap Carrier

Never dig around your pack to find some hand sanitizer. Instead, hang this one on the outside of your pack.

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Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L | 3500 CI

If you're an experienced backpacker, this is the lightest full-size, full-featured, frameless pack made.

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Ariceleo LED Battery Operated Fairy Lights

Add a little magic to your experience by hanging these twinkling lights around your tent every night.

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Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler

Sometimes you just want a camp chair that gets the job done. Nothing glamorous or fancy. Well, this is it.

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Zpacks Duplex Tent

The more you backpack the lighter your shelter becomes, and the lighter it is, the more expensive it can be.

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Nemo Fillo Pillow

It's a heavier, bulkier pillow for ultralight backpackers, but you're guaranteed a good night's sleep.

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TETON Sports Polara Sleeping Bag

It's not the fairest of them all, but this affordable sleeping bag delivers on warmth and comfort.

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Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

Gluten Free • Vegan

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Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

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Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

Vegetarian

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Snack

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Vegetarian

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

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Summer rolls with almond butter satay

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Dan dan noodles

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

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Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

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