Usal Beach
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About Usal Beach in Westport, California
Usal Beach is the southernmost beach in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park along the north Mendocino Coast. It’s a remote dark sand beach that’s over a mile long and quite large at the mouth of Usal Creek. Because of the slow speed drive and remote location, you should stay a while (i.e. camp overnight) if visiting Usal Beach.
The park’s only drive-in camping area is at Usal Campground behind the beach. These camp spots are considered primitive so bring everything you need including water, food, TP and garbage bags (to carry your refuse away). Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, but it’s a remote place that gets less attention from state park staff.
You can drive to Usal Beach via long windy roads, but it’s best with a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle and only when the roads are not wet. RV’s and cars with trailers are not advised on these roads. This is a seasonal area that is only open March through October typically.
Usal Beach used to be popular with Jeep and 4×4 clubs because of the rugged access road and the ability to drive right onto the beach, but driving on the beach is no longer allowed and citations are issued to those that ignore the rules. Other challenging double-track roads meander away from the beach for those that want to explore more in their off-road rigs (all vehicles must be street legal, i.e. no ORVs).
The Lost Coast Trail begins at Usal Beach and takes hikers and backpackers north to Anderson Beach (the closest at 10 miles away), Wheeler Beach, and beyond. Those beaches are only accessible by long hikes. The Lost Coast Trail continues for over 50 miles to Mattole Beach (you can drive to that one). Ticks are common in this area so take precautions and check yourself after hiking.
Note that the camp spots at Usal Campground are in a meadow that’s not far from the beach and is surrounded by a vast forest. Don’t feed any animals and secure your food in cars to avoid animals getting into your tents, bags, and coolers. Deer, elk, raccoons, and bears are all common in this park so clean up your camp when done cooking.
- Address
- Shoreline Hwy & Usal Rd
Westport, CA 95488 - Phone
- 707-247-3318
- Park Name
- Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
- Other Names
- Usal Creek Beach
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- Dogs allowed on beach and in campground if on a leash, but they are not allowed on any trails.
- Fees
- Fees for day-use parking and camping
- Activities
- Camping, Overlanding, Hiking, Backpacking
- Amenities
- Campground, Trails, Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, Creek, Driftwood
Nearby Beaches
Anderson Beach
2.2 miles away
Anderson Beach is a hike-in beach in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The Lost Coast Trail starts at Usal Beach...
Little Jackass Creek Beach
3 miles away
Little Jackass Creek Beach is a hike-in only beach located in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The smallish dark sandy...
Lost Coast Redwoods Property
3.3 miles away
Five miles of the Northern California Coast are now part of a property called Lost Coast Redwoods. This prime piece...
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Lodging
Reviews
Remote, dirty. Noisy trucks and sXs. No fresh water, a few skanky outhouses. Pleasant spot otherwise. Labor Day weekend- loud, big fireworks kept the dogs on edge.