About this place

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 SeasonsOpen year-round. All sites are first come, first served.Features and ServicesAccess 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 ProtectThe 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.