Reaching Tolkan Campground requires navigating a bumpy four-mile dirt road, and reviewers consistently recommend high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain. The approach from Honeydew via Kings Peak Road is the more demanding route; coming from Garberville is a gentler alternative. At $15 per night, the campground sits on BLM land in forested terrain near a creek, with nine well-spaced sites that tend to fill on weekends and stay quiet mid-week.
Mountain biking is the dominant activity here. The Paradise Royale Loop trail system starts directly at site number one, and multiple reviewers rate it a solid moderate ride with some technical leaf-covered climbs. Nearby, Horse Mountain Campground provides another base for riders exploring the area. Vault toilets are on-site and reviewers consistently note they are clean and well maintained. There are no bear boxes, so food storage requires planning, and mosquitoes can be heavy in summer. No water is available on-site.
Cell coverage is workable. One reviewer logged two bars of LTE on Verizon. Alcohol is permitted, trash service is provided, though campers are encouraged to pack out what they bring. Pets are not allowed. One reviewer described the campground as "worth the drive," which captures the general consensus: the road filters out casual visitors, and those who make it tend to find a low-crowd, functional site. Tolkan is a good match for mountain bikers, self-sufficient campers comfortable without hookups, and anyone wanting a base near Shelter Cove Campground and the King Range coast.
Description
4 tent sites and 5 trailer campsites Wheelchair accessible sites Fire rings, picnic tables, bear-proof trash cans, vault toilets Trailhead for the Tolkan Terrain Park Trailhead for Paradise Royale Mountain Bike loop $15.00 per night for campsites First come-first served No day use fee No OHV access.__NO POTABLE WATER A quick drive to the town of Shelter Cove, this campground is located 15 minutes up King Peak Road which is unpaved. Providing access to the only mountain bike trails in the King Range, Tolkan is surrounded by large oak trees and nearby hiking trails. Paradise Royale Mountain bike trail, Pacific Rim and Tolkan Terrain Park are all open year-round, with no day use fees. The perfect getaway for mountain bikers, hikers and backpackers looking to access the Lost Coast Trail from a different perspective. This campground provides access to Horse Mountain Creek Trailhead and is a 45-minute drive to Lightning Trailhead for those who want to hike to King Peak (4wheel drive and good clearance recommended for this drive.) Wilderness permits are required for any overnight stay in the King Range Wilderness. Cell reception is unreliable, please recreate responsibly.
Fee Info
$15.00 per night for campsites First come-first served No day use fee
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTolkan Campground is located in California near Whitethorn
Address
King Peak Road
Whitethorn, ca 95589, CA 95589
Coordinates
40.081651 N
124.057402 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 users
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 users
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 11 min from Santa Rosa, CA
- 4 hrs 7 min from Yuba City, CA
- 4 hrs 22 min from Redding, CA
- 4 hrs 32 min from Chico, CA
