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Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast

Whitethorn, California

5.0/5
based on 3 reviews

Description

Added by Jake Young

Camp at one of the last few significantly developed and remote coastlines in California. This piece of wilderness will make you feel like you are in another world.

Getting to Usal beach can be a little tricky, but it is well worth the effort. Usal Road (Mendocino Country Rd 431) is found 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles southwest of Legget on Highway 1. The turn off is extremely easy to miss so it is recommended to use your odometer to gauge how close you are to Usal Road. There is a small white sign at the entrance to the road. The road itself is a very tight and winding strip of gravel that takes you to the campground. It is roughly 6 miles from Highway 1 to the campsite. An AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended.

The campsite itself is very primitive. There are fire rings and small outhouses dotting the area. There is no potable water, but water can be taken from the creek and boiled or filtered.

You can access the Lost Coast Trail from this site and see what else the Sinkyone Wilderness has to offer.

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Features

Chillin
Camping
Fishing
Photography
Surfing
Swimming
Hiking
Bathrooms
Beach
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Forest
Groups
Picnic Area
River
Romantic
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast Reviews

Came up here for a warm weekend in June. The campsites were great, and the location was beautiful. We were in a Jeep Wrangler but saw some less durable cars make the trek. They don't have trash, showers, bathrooms, etc, so come prepared!

Traveled up here for the long weekend and this place was better than expected. The road is still in rough shape from the rainy weather, but is passable. Many of the campsites were wet, but won't be a problem if you're over landing. We camped out by a stream that dumped into the ocean, which was a stones throw away. From the wild elk to the isolated Beauty of the beach, this hidden gem is a must-visit for anyone wanting to visit Northern California.

This is hands down one of the coolest places that I have visited in California. The road is a little bit sketchy, but as long as you are careful it should be fine. It is worth the trek to go visit this serene piece of undeveloped coastline wilderness.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Taber Nature Trail

Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail

Northern Mendocino Camping and Surf Adventure

Chinquapin Loop on The Lost Coast

King's Peak from Shelter Cove

Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast