Camping › California › Mattole Campground
Mattole Campground
19 mi southwest of Scotia, CA · No signal at camp
About Mattole Campground
The Mattole Campground sits at the mouth of the Mattole River within the [King Range National Conservation Area](https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/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](https://www.blm.gov/visit/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…
- Fees: Use Fee: Camping - $15.00
- Managed by: Bureau of Land Management, BLM
- Where: 19 mi southwest of Scotia, CA · 40.28918, -124.35588
Things to do:
Amenities:
Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jul–Aug (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: None.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Good to know
No signal at camp
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way casts shadows and the sky is crowded with stars.
Class 1 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Dump station: 19.6 mi
Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.Camps nearby
- Sea Lion Gulch 3.6 mi
- Dispersed spot · 19 mi NW of Shelter Cove 4.9 mi
- Cooskie Creek 5.5 mi
- Arthur W. Way County Memorial Park Campground 7.1 mi
- Randall Creek 7.3 mi
- Dispersed spot · 15 mi NW of Shelter Cove 8.5 mi