The Bureau of Land Management is welcoming visitors to the newly completed Black Sands Beach Parking Area in Shelter Cove.

The new facility replaces a parking area that was washed away by large waves during the El-Nino winter of 1997-98.  In addition to parking, the site features restrooms and a spectacular scenic overlook of the King Range coastline.

Because of the steep terrain surrounding Black Sands Beach, the new facility is divided into two sites.   A smaller site just above the beach provides limited space for unloading passengers and equipment, and also allows parking for disabled visitors.  An emergency call box has been installed in cooperation with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.   The second, larger site is on an adjacent bluff, and provides 38 parking spaces, a restroom, and scenic overlooks of the majestic coastline to the north. 

BLM Arcata Field Manager Lynda Roush asks that visitors follow the signing and park their cars in the upper lot.

"The lower site is very constricted and only has space for a couple of cars at a time to unload and turn around," she said.   Visitors should no longer park along the surrounding roads, as the county only granted temporary permission for roadside parking during construction of the new facility.

"I would like to thank the neighboring Shelter Cove Residents for providing input into the design, and for being so patient during construction," Roush added.  "We are really excited to offer this new facility for local residents and visitors to the area."

Visitors should use caution and respect barricades placed in some parts of the site, as workers will be completing finishing touches in the next several weeks.

For more information,  contact Bob Wick at  (707) 825-2321.

-BLM-

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