2023 - 
Briceland-Thorn Road from Four Corners to Needle Rock is currently CLOSED due to storm damage UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. There is no vehicle access to Needle Rock and no alternative parking area in the immediate vicinity for walk-in visitation.

The Lost Coast Trail is closed between Bear Harbor and Wheeler Camps due to hazardous conditions created by 2023 winter storms.  There is currently no estimated time of re-opening. 

Camping—Wilderness camping is the only type available. Primitive campsites have tables, fire rings, a nearby pit toilet, but no
developed water source. Bring your own drinking water.

Usal Beach Campground—The only drive-in campground in the park, the
Usal Beach sites are in a meadow area near the beach. Narrow
rural roads are often impassable, and RVs or
trailers are not advisable.

Trail camps—These first- come, first-served campsites for backpackers are located between Bear Harbor and Usal Beach on the Lost Coast Trail.

Horse Camping—Equestrian camping
is permitted at Usal Beach and Wheeler campgrounds.

Group Camping—Groups of nine or more can be accommodated at the Usal Beach horse campground. Call (707) 986-7711 in
advance for a Group Use Permit.

Usal Beach Campsites — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

The Lost Coast as a whole is a great choice for a camping trip. The trails are a bit overgrown, but the views are unreal! The Usal Beach campsite is an awesome campsite. Some people in our group camped on the sand (got a bit windy at night), some in the meadow a bit more inland and even one guy set up his hammock tent in the trees- lots of great options!

Awesome campsite!

I'm lucky enough to live within an hour from this amazing place. Granted it has no facilities as budgets have been hacked and slashed, but this isn't the kind of place for luxury camping. This is the kind of place that will renew your soul, it will make you feel alive and allow the stress of the everyday world to wash away.

Located off the far north end of hwy 1 you have to traverse a steep, winding and rutted dirt road for several miles until you break out of the forest to reveal a jaw dropping breath taking view of Usal beach. 

During peak season the campsites can get a little busy as Usal serves as the southern most trail head for the Lost Coast Trail. But I have never not been able to get a camp site. Many times throughout the year I arrive to find myself the only visitor, and those are the times I cherish most. You may also find during the summer weekends local kids coming to drink and party. They can get noisy and rowdy but the area is spread out enough that funding a private camp is usually an option.

While camped at Usal it is very probable that you will see wild Elk. In fact the last time I was there we saw 6 massive Elk who hung out with us all day. Big time photo shoot :-)

I hope you get to experience this amazing, magical place!

Mystical Redwoods, enchanting beaches, away from it all!

Having grown up spending a lot of time on the N Cali coast, Usal beach was always my absolute FAVORITE spot to camp! The secluded beach, elk roaming free and the enchanted forest always were a major incentive to go. The road is a little sketchy at times of the year so it's best to take a 4x4 if you can, however I've seen multiple people drive their cars in as well. It is definitely a popular spot for the locals to make day trips. Even when the campground is "busy", there have always been campsites available. Unfortunately there is no water source besides the creek, so make sure you bring enough fresh water for your stay. Be prepared to use pit toilets as well!!

Magical little campground

Very Cool place to Camp and Enjoy ! I've now been 3 times and each time its a little different and always Total Zen Peace to be had !

But make sure you only go during the week, because of the rowdiness, hell raising, dune driving doing donuts, drunken idiots that are there on the weekends.

I had researched this place once I had heard of the Lost coast, and read many stories of failed weekends ... So Every time I've gone its been camping tues-thurs....most times we've been the only people there.

We've always gone up north Hwy 1 to about 4 miles past Westport and turned left on USAL Rd, ( now some one painted a big arrow on the street pointing the way ) but the first few times the turn was a lil challenging to find... anyway take that USAL Rd and drive through the forest for about 5 miles, ( very easy dirt rd when dry, treacherous and challenging when wet 4x4 when it's wet for sure ) once through the forest stop and take pics , it's so beautiful 1000-2000 ft above the Ocean, watch for California Gray whales ! Anyway, once througfh the forest come down the hill and you'll drive right across a lil wodden bridge, take an immediate left to find camping spots and the beach is just beyond the camp sites !

It's so beautiful, peaceful and wonderful here. It will continue to be a favorite for my wife Jan and I for decades to come !

A Must See Place..... but only during the week.....weekends are a no no !

This was such a unique camping experience.  The pictures do all of the talking.  The road to reach the beach is only about 5 miles long, but It will take you around 45 minutes! We felt like we were driving through Jurassic park to get there.  Speaking of Jurassic park, you will need a decent clearance vehicle.  We have an overland tent on a truck so we were having a blast! 
Will definitely return.  Hopefully next time will see some elk because we weren’t lucky this time :) 