Is Mattole Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Mattole Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Mattole Campground?

Mattole Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Mattole Campground have?

Mattole Campground has 14 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Mattole Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Mattole Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Mattole Campground?

Mattole Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mattole Campground?

Popular activities at Mattole Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mattole Campground

4.32

95 reviews

Bureau of Land Management, Arcata Field Office, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA

C-Report Card

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietGreat Hiking

Featured in:Hiking Camping California

Quick Facts

26 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

26 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Mattole Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$8.00

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Provider

707-986-5400BLM_CA_Web_KR@blm.gov

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Campground Map

Bureau of Land Management, Arcata Field Office, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA

Mattole Campground

Bureau of Land Management, Arcata Field Office, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA

Nearby places

Eureka (approximately 2 hours, 20 minutes drive)

Redway (approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes drive).

Weather at Mattole Campground

Best Time to Camp at Mattole Campground

Best season: summer. Summer brings the most reliable weather—cool, sunny days (typically highs in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F, lows in the mid-40s to low-50s) with far fewer Pacific storms and calmer seas, making shoreline hikes and dune exploration pleasant. Wildlife viewing and shorebird activity remain excellent, and trail access is most dependable for longer hikes along the Lost Coast. Crowds stay light compared with popular state parks, so summer is the best time for solitude without sacrificing comfort; still, be Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Early autumn is popular with favorable weather, though wind can persist.

Planning Tips

About Mattole Campground

Mattole Campground sits at the southern trailhead of California's Lost Coast Trail, a BLM-managed site where the King Range meets the Pacific. The small campground serves as a staging point for multi-day backpacking trips and offers direct access to one of the state's most remote stretches of coastline. Sites accommodate tents and RVs on a first-come basis, with vault toilets and fire rings but no water on-site.

Mattole Campground is a primitive, first-come, first-served campground ideal for tent and trailer camping. It also features two equestrian sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer brings the most reliable weather—cool, sunny days (typically highs in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F, lows in the mid-40s to low-50s) with far fewer Pacific storms and calmer seas, making shoreline hikes and dune exploration pleasant. Wildlife viewing and shorebird activity remain excellent, and trail access is most dependable for longer hikes along the Lost Coast. Crowds stay light compared with popular state parks, so summer is the best time for solitude without sacrificing comfort; still, be Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation26 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies an ancient dune field at the Mattole River estuary, where freshwater carves new channels each season before emptying into the ocean. Grassy dunes separate the sites from the rugged Pacific shoreline. Elephant seals and sea lions appear on nearby beaches. The exposed coastal setting offers unobstructed ocean views but minimal shade. Tectonic uplift and relentless storms continue to reshape this corner of the Lost Coast into a landscape of wind, wave, and raw geology.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging accommodations such as cabins or hotels are available. This is a primitive campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 days per calendar year within the King Range National Conservation Area.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Varies by site size
up to 8 adults based on a user review.

Groups

Details about group sites are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable, as sites are walk-in only.

AccessibilityThe campground is wheelchair accessible, featuring two ADA-compliant campsites.

Site SizeSites vary in size, but some are spacious enough to accommodate groups of up to 8 adults.

PrivacyPrivacy varies significantly between sites. Some are described as more secluded, while others lack privacy. None offer total seclusion.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites offering privacy and space, and avoid overgrown sites. Ensure proper gear for windy and rainy conditions.

Best CampsitesSome sites are spacious enough for groups of up to 8 adults. Privacy varies sharply. Reviews mention some more secluded options, but others lack screening. No specific site numbers appear in the data.

Amenities available

Mattole Campground offers 14 tent and trailer campsites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There are no hookups available, and potable water is no longer provided (discontinued after October 31, 2016). Additional features include bear-proof trash cans, and the campground is wheelchair accessible with two ADA-compliant sites. However, there is no running water onsite, and visitors must bring their own water. The campground serves as a northern trailhead for the Lost Coast Trail and provides access to the beach and estuary, with scenic views of the rugged coastline.

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Mattole Campground

Mattole Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and beach activities. It is especially popular as the northern trailhead of the Lost Coast Trail, a challenging 25-mile hike along the rugged coastline.

Hiking5.0/5Top 3% in California

Northern trailhead of the Lost Coast Trail (25-mile coastal hike); major staging point.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Elephant seals, sea lions, deer, frogs and marine life reported nearby.

Beach activities4.0/5Top 24% in California

Direct access to rugged Pacific shoreline, sand dunes, beach walking and exploring.

Signature experiences

Photography5.0/5Scenic coastline, dunes, wildlife and stargazing make for excellent photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof trash cans and food storage lockers are available throughout the campground.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

95 reviews

Recommended

Mattole Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Mattole Campground is praised for its remote and scenic location, offering solitude and proximity to the beach. However, the lack of amenities such as potable water and the challenging drive on rough roads are common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 95 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include its proximity to the ocean, scenic views, and access to the Lost Coast Trail. Many reviewers appreciated the solitude and natural beauty.

Based on 95 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the absence of potable water, rough and windy weather, overgrown campsites, and the long, poorly maintained access road.

Based on 95 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

1. Reviewers often mentioned the variability in privacy and overgrowth of certain sites. 2. Early arrivals on weekdays generally find better site options.

Based on 95 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing plenty of water, firewood, and warm clothing due to the windy conditions. Checking tide charts is essential for safe beach hikes. An SUV or high-clearance vehicle is...

Based on 95 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer and early autumn are popular seasons due to favorable weather, although windy conditions are common year-round. Weekends and holidays tend to be busier.

Based on 95 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This place is the boondocks. No amenities whatsoever, but the immense light from the Milky Way and the crashing waves make it worthwhile.' - Jay Hauss. 2. 'The Lost Coast beach is rough, rugged,...

Based on 95 reviews

Accessibility Features

The ADA-compliant campsites received positive mentions; however, the remote location and rough roads may pose challenges for some visitors with disabilities.

Based on 95 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but it is advised to keep dogs leashed due to wildlife and unpredictable ocean conditions.

Based on 95 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Mattole Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$8.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

707-986-5400BLM_CA_Web_KR@blm.gov

Go if

You're staging a Lost Coast backpacking trip or want solitude near wild Pacific shoreline without hookups.

Skip if

You need water on-site, paved access roads, or shelter from persistent coastal wind.

Nearby Campgrounds

Honeydew Campground sits in a secluded low-elevation spot near Honeydew, California, offering basic tent and RV camping along a creek. This very small campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a quiet setting that works well as an overnight stop. Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with dry access roads and comfortable temperatures for creekside relaxation.

Mattole Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Mattole Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Mattole Campground

Best Time to Camp at Mattole Campground

Planning Tips

About Mattole Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Mattole Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

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Ask Camp Sage about Mattole Campground

Best Time to Camp at Mattole Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at Mattole Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews