Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast

Whitethorn, California

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

0.5 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Josiah Roe

Serenity and solitude on one of the last few unspoiled and remote coastlines in The United States.

Black Sands Beach and all of the Lost Coast is almost indescribable in its ruggedness and beauty. Black Sands Beach sits along the southern portion of of the famous Lost Coast Trail, and is accessible by one of the two roads that go across the King Range to the ocean. From 101 in Garberville, head into Redway and then take the Shelter Cove Road. Follow the signs to Black Sands Beach.

The other route is to start at the Mattole Trailhead in Petrolia and hike the Lost Coast Trail.

Note: there is no camping at the trailhead itself. Camping is allowed 700' away, north of Telegraph Creek.

Afterwards head into the tiny town of Shelter Cove and grab a beer at Mario's.

Be careful to check the tide charts and take note of your campsite as many sections of the Lost Coast are impassible at high tide. Also note the weather, as it can change abruptly and violently.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Camping

Fishing

Photography

Hiking

Beach

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Forest

Groups

Romantic

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Reviews

Explorer

John Chau

Explorer

Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast

04/19/16

Watch out for the tide! Definitely one of my favorite places on the LCT, although hiking this southern section before Miller's Flat is honestly the worst section to hike (difficulty-wise!).

5.0

Gaby Colletta

Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast

12/05/15

The Lost Coast is such a surreal sight - if you have a chance, do the whole beach trail. It changes scenery more often than you would expect and has several secluded campsites like this one. Black Sands beautiful.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

King's Peak from Shelter Cove

After parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, the idyllic conjunction of a rushing mountain stream and the gently crashing ocean, before heading nor...

Chinquapin Loop on The Lost Coast

I did this hike the day before setting out on a backpacking trip along the northern section of The Lost Coast Trail and it was a fantastic warm up hike. The Chinquapin Loop is a loop off of The Lost Coast Trail along Chemise Mountain, near the start of the southern section of the LCT. You can start this hike from three different trailheads. My friend and I were camping at the Nadelos Campgroun...

King's Peak via Lightning Trailhead

King's Peak is the tallest peak in the King Range, the home of the famous and spectacular "Lost Coast". At an elevation of 4,000' and less than 3 miles from the ocean, King's Peak provides stunning views in all directions: of canyons, beaches, foggy valleys, and the many greenhouses that dot the Humboldt County backcountry. King's Peak is perhaps the only coastal peak that can be compared to B...

Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail

The Lost Coast is infamous. For its name alone draws visitors from around California and the world. A 26-mile stretch of coast, road less, with a wall like mountain range just yards from the ocean and beach. But with the Lost Coast being what it is, there is a lesser-known, yet equally stunning hiking option that still entails the spirit and adventure of the coast yet only a stones throw to the...

Explore the Avenue of the Giants

The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 31 mile long highway that is surrounded by 51,222 acres of giant redwood trees in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road offers amazing views of the redwoods. The Avenue of the Giants runs through many small towns that offer tons of tourist attractions.The pull offs along the road allow easy access to many different hiking trails. Hiking amongst the gia...

Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast

Getting to Usal beach can be a little tricky, but it is well worth the effort. Usal Road (Mendocino Country Rd 431) is found 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles southwest of Legget on Highway 1. The turn off is extremely easy to miss so it is recommended to use your odometer to gauge how close you are to Usal Road. There is a small white sign at the entrance to the road. The road itself is...

Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

King's Peak from Shelter Cove

Chinquapin Loop on The Lost Coast

King's Peak via Lightning Trailhead

Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail

Explore the Avenue of the Giants

Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps