Alturas Recreation Area

Shelter Cove/Lost Coast Wilderness

Parks › California › Alturas Rec. Area › Points of Interest › Forest/Natural Area
Latitude, Longitude: 40.038129, -124.079247

Along the northern coast of California, civilization has left its mark on all but the most rugged or remote stretches of coastline. One stretch that is largely untouched by major highways and towns is the King Range National Conservation Area. The King Range rises from sea level to a 4,087-foot elevation at Kings Peak in less than three miles. Extremely steep and rocky terrain extends right to the beach, and forced the coastal highway (combined Highways 1 and 101) about 30 miles inland from the King Range. The remote region is known as California's Lost Coast.
Shelter Cove- near the south end of the King Range National Conservation Area - is surrounded largely by privately-owned land, but about 10 acres are public land managed by the BLM. Public access is mainly at marked pull-outs along Lower Pacific Drive, at Black Sands Beach, Mal Coombs Park, Seal Rock Picnic Area and Abalone Point.
Picture: Roosevelt elk graze in highlands above the Lost Coast beach, in the King Range National Conservation Area.

Directions

- Shelter Cove: From Highway 101 near Garberville. follow signs to Redway and Shelter Cove. In Redway, turn west on Briceland Road. Follow Briceland for about 14 miles to Whitethorn/Shelter Cove Junction. Turn onto Shelter Cove Road. Follow signs about 11 miles to the cove and Lower Pacific Drive. Signs mark public land turnoffs along Lower Pacific Drive, from Mal Coombs Park to Black sands Beach.
- The Lost Coast: A 24-mile section of the Lost Coast Trail leads north from Black Sands Beach to the Mattole River, along the wilderness beach. This is a rugged hike, not a simple walk on the beach, but the trail is considered one of the most attractive features of the conservation area. See important information for hikers, with a link to information about other trails in the conservation area.
- The rest of the King Range National Conservation Area includes a network of paved, graveled and dirt roads allows motorized sightseeing of much of the area, with signs at most roads indicating direction, mileage and driving conditions. But watch out: many roads are steep, and especially watch for slides and washouts during the winter rain season.