Mattole Campground

Near Petrolia, California

40.28918, -124.35588

Campground — 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 ma