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Activities

Established Camping

Usal Beach Campground

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Campers are Saying

Usal Beach Campground, near Whitethorn, California, is a rugged spot that offers a unique camping experience right by the ocean. With sites nestled in both grassy areas and among the trees, you can choose between a breezy beach vibe or a more sheltered setting.

This campground is known for its stunning access to the beach, where you can enjoy campfires and soak in the views of the Lost Coast. Many visitors rave about the hiking opportunities nearby, making it a great base for outdoor adventures. As one camper put it, “Awesome access to beach camping... good fishing, great times, and great views.”

While the campground has its charm, it’s important to note that it can get lively, especially on weekends. Some campers have mentioned the noise from nearby festivities, but others appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the chance to meet fellow adventurers. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as some sites have been noted to have trash left behind.

If you’re up for a bit of a drive on rocky roads to reach paradise, Usal Beach Campground is worth the journey. Whether you’re looking to relax by the waves or explore the surrounding trails, this spot has plenty to offer for those willing to embrace its wild side.

General Overview

Campers, recreation vehicles, and trailers are not recommended. Truck campers and tents only.

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Location

Usal Beach Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.83734941 N
123.84389028 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2023

Great secluded beach - 4WD needed!

Campsite is about 40 mins off rt 1 - rock/dirt roads up and down the hills until you get to the beach. Once you’re there though, PARADISE!! Totally worth it - camp in the little forest before the beach or right on the sand, shack toilets available but other than that pack in and pack out!

Month of VisitJuly
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  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Patrick L., June 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Patrick L., June 16, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 12, 2023

Beautiful area - terrible crowd

Really beautiful campground. I've now visited a few times, and every time I've gotten little sleep because of the partying. Keep coming back because of the scenery and the great mtb trails, but be prepared for people blasting terrible music all hours of the day and night. Plus the fireworks, loud trucks, and guns going off at all hours of the night. Feels like camping in the movie Mad Max...

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed May. 19, 2022

Great free dispersed camping, sheltered but by the beach

Great camping with quite a few spots both in the aspens and in the grasslands by the beach. It was pretty buggy, and a long dirt road getting in, but as long as it's dry and you've got 4x4 you should be fine. Sites have quite a bit of trash, remember to pack out what you pack in.

Month of VisitJune
  • Walk on the beach
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  • The grassland campsites
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Reviewed Feb. 28, 2022

Beach Camping

Awesome access to beach camping, if you dont like the wind you can camp in the trees. Nice hike around the area, good fishing, great times, and great views of the lost coast

Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Nov. 27, 2021

Great beach camping with awd rv

Great to camp on the beach. Nice to enjoy campfire on the beach from wood provided by the sea. Some nice hikes close by.

Siteno numbering
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Robert , November 27, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 24, 2021

Wild West

I love this place it’s amazing,beautiful,rugged and so much fun to explore. It can be a little crazy at times but I hope it stays the way it is. I just hope people start talking care of it better

Siteundisclosed
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by ICampWhereYouWont I., September 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by ICampWhereYouWont I., September 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by ICampWhereYouWont I., September 24, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2021

Worth the white knuckling

One of the coolest campgrounds I’ve ever visited (once my stomach settled from the steep, narrow, rocky, nerve-wracking 50-minute ride in). We stayed up top, apart from the actual campground, where the view was spectacular. The fog was magical.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Anna W., August 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Anna W., August 24, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2021

Off the beaten path, yet crowded

On a weekend in august it was packed. Most camped on the beach, which was the reason I came, yet we ended up finding a spot inland with no neighbors. The road coming in is no joke, it took about 30-45 minutes on a bumpy dirt road. Even with 4x4 I would be hesitant to drive during heavy rain but when dry it’s passable by car. During a week day I think this place would be fantastic, but during a busy weekend it wasn’t a quiet get away by any means. 90% of the campers were fine but the other 10% are usually who gets a whole campground a bad name. Its what’s to be expected when you combine free state park camping with no policing. If you’re into “overlanding” this would be a great place to take a pic for instagram and pitch your roof top tent. I enjoyed myself a lot but I may be more relaxed about the riffraff than others. I have no good pictures but it was truly a beautiful place.

Siteaspen grove
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Ryder A., August 7, 2021
Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Five star place , One star nieghbors

This place is absolutely beautiful. But… lots people( this place has so many site we couldn’t even count them all, loud( bad ) music , loud trucks driving recklessly, Children crying, drunk folks whooping and hollerin into the wee hour of the night, dogs barkin and fighting,poop all around the camp site conveniently left unburied with the paper, trees used for ax throwing practice, tent stakes driven into trees, unattended fire pits smoldering , fire pits filled with garbage,fireworks, chainsaws running at all hours. Oh and let’s not forget the Gun fire on Saturday night then this is the place for you! Awakened Friday morning at 8 am to Nas x at volume 11 echoing the length of the valley was not in our plan but … we got very adept at setting up and breaking down camp as one is left with the impression your stuff might not still be there if you left it out and went for a hike Every night it was pack it all up and lock the car before bed

Basically this trip was a lesson in how crappy people can be in the forest

The few good parts Chorus of frogs in the evening Elk sleeping twenty feet from our camp site And meeting Jackie and Brea the world traveling dogs ( seriously these two pups have been to like six different countries) Jackie is maybe ten pounds and fearless, she saw the elk and was ready to chase it down as she had never seen one before

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Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Conrad G., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Conrad G., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Conrad G., May 31, 2021
Reviewed Jan. 1, 2021

Very Pretty Place.. Windy.

This place is pretty cool. It’s worth a one night stay. The drive up 101 and then the couple mile “off road” drive to the beach was fun. There is a bunch of space for people to camp. Some on the beach and some in the tree line. There was about 5 other groups there. It got really cold at night and SUPER WINDY (December).

  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Jesse H., January 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Usal Beach Campground by Jesse H., January 1, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2020

Literally a 10 out of 5

I’m hesitant to tell anybody about this gem because I want it to remain as peaceful and perfect as it is. There is a toilet and there are fire rings. There are some established spots off the beach or you can set up right on the beach (does it get any better???) If you’re going to do the lost coast, this is the way to do it. Plan on packing everything you need in and out!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Usal Beach Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Usal Beach Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Usal Beach Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Usal Beach Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Usal Beach Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.