Mattole Campground | California

The Mattole Campground sits at the mouth of the Mattole River within the King Range National Conservation Area, offering one of the only low-cost coastal camping opportunities on California's north coast. The campground provides direct access to the Mattole River estuary and a short 600-foot trail through sand dunes leads to the beach. Wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent — elephant seals are commonly seen along the shore.

The campground serves as the northern trailhead of the renowned Lost Coast Trail, one of California's most spectacular coastal hiking routes. A 3.2-mile one-way hike from the campground leads to the historic Punta Gorda Lighthouse. Note that ocean swimming is strongly discouraged — rip currents, sneaker waves, sudden drop-offs, and powerful surf make these waters extremely dangerous.

Hours and Seasons

Open year-round. All sites are first come, first served.

Features and Services

• Access and Parking: Paved access road to the campground at 3750 Lighthouse Road, Petrolia, CA 95558. Maximum trailer length is 24 feet. Two vehicles maximum per site. Day-use and trailhead parking available on site, with overflow parking also provided.
• Cell Service: Limited to none in the area.
• Toilets: Vault toilets on site.
• Drinking Water: No potable water available. Bring all water needed for your stay.
• Pets: Dogs allowed on leash only. Maintain a minimum of 100 feet from elephant seals at all times and keep dogs leashed near wildlife.
• Camping: 23 tent/trailer campsites, including two wheelchair-accessible sites and two equestrian sites. Maximum of eight people and two vehicles per site. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Bear-proof trash cans on site. Fee is $15 per site per night.
• Nearby Amenities: The nearest services are in Petrolia, approximately 6 miles away. More complete services are available in Redway (approximately 1 hr 45 min via Wilder Ridge Road) and Eureka (approximately 2 hrs 20 min via South Fork/Honeydew exit).

Respect and Protect

The King Range coast is home to sensitive wildlife, including elephant seals that haul out along the beach. These animals are unpredictable and can become aggressive — always maintain at least 100 feet of distance and keep pets leashed. Stay out of the ocean; dangerous surf conditions make swimming unsafe. Please practice responsible outdoor ethics to ensure that future visitors can appreciate this remarkable site.