Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is a natural preserve along the northern California coast. It encompasses a rugged and remote wilderness area known for its diverse ecosystems, rich history, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife observation. There is a state park called Sinkyone Wilderness State Park in Mendocino County. To the west is the Pacific Ocean, while to the north is the King Range National Conservation Area, where the wilderness begins.
Leggett, a nearby unincorporated community, is the closest major settlement. Due to its remote location, the Sinkyone Wilderness has earned the nickname “the Lost Coast.” The section of the coastline that includes Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is so untamed and stunning that it’s been given the nickname “The Lost Coast.” About 36 miles southwest of Garberville, you’ll find a remote region inaccessible by paved roads or state highways.
History Of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Even before Europeans arrived, the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park was significant. The Sinkyone Indians have a long history of settlement along the shore, establishing their communities around water sources. They subsisted mostly on fish, especially during the annual salmon run, by hunting, gathering, and fishing near the shore. Game trails became pack mule routes, roads were carved for forestry operations, and open spaces were used for farming and grazing animals; these activities altered the terrain over time.
Hiking At Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
The Sinkyone’s Needle Rock Visitor Center is the starting point of this 7.6-mile Path to the Lost Coast section. The journey there and back is just as much of an ordeal. At the end of a lengthy and twisting journey along Briceland Road, the pavement gives way to dirt at a location known as Four Corners. It is only 3.3 miles to Needle Rock from here, but the trail is extremely difficult to navigate due to numerous craters and jagged rocks. After significant rainfall, the trail also becomes a muddy and impassable mess.
Camping At Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Camping in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is like nothing else because it is far away from civilization. Although no designated camping areas are anywhere along Usal Road, several well-established spots are near the coast. These unreserved areas are convenient to water sources and offer tourists the chance to get in touch with nature. An unforgettable experience for nature lovers, camping in this wilderness park is a chance to escape from civilization and take in the peace of the rough coastline terrain.
Trekking the Lost Coast
The round trip distance from Whale Gulch to Jones Beach is 4.5 miles, while Jones Beach can be reached in 2 miles. It has been known long ago what is today often referred to as Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, which is situated around 225 miles north of San Francisco, is remarkable. Thomas Merton, an eminent Catholic theologian, visited the Needle Rock region in the late 1960s and concluded that it would be an excellent spot for a community of monks to live a life centered on prayer and reflection. He discussed the possibility of founding such a community there.
Address: Whitethorn, CA 95589, United States
Open: 24 hours
Phone: +1 707-247-3318
Management: California State Parks
