Big Flat Beach(King Range National Conservation Area)

Located along the Lost Coast shoreline, Big Flat Beach is a remote beach with light brown sand, vegetation, and pebbles. This beach is situated at the base of oceanfront mountains and is a part of King Range National Conservation Area. The Big Flat Creek flows through the beach into the Pacific Ocean. Two landforms named the Big Flat and the Miller Flat are also present around the beach. The area near the beach also has an airstrip and parcels of privately owned land.

Big Flat Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except hiking trails, so plan accordingly. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Big Flat Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, hiking, wildlife watching, camping, and surfing. The water near Big Flat Beach is generally unsafe for aquatic recreational activities including swimming and paddleboarding. However, surfers occasionally go into the water near this beach as it offers thrilling surfing waves. If you are planning to surf in the water near Big Flat Beach, we recommend avoiding surfing here on days when the weather around the beach is windy. Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals in the water near this beach including seals and migrating whales. A popular activity in Big Flat Beach is camping - this beach offers a fantastic oceanfront tent-camping experience. If you are planning to camp around Big Flat Beach, please note that you need a backcountry permit for doing so. You can obtain this permit from any of the three trailheads from where you are starting your hike towards Big Flat Beach. In addition, we recommend carrying bear canisters while camping here as the beach is known to be frequented by bears. The Lost Coast Trail passes near this beach and offers an amazing hiking experience along with beautiful Instagram-worthy views of the Northern California shoreline.

Getting to Big Flat beach can be difficult - the only way to access this beach is via a long and grueling hike. The easiest way to get to this beach is via another beach named Black Sands Beach. From United States Highway 101, you need to undertake a long and winding drive along multiple roads to first reach Shelter Cove Road. From Shelter Cove Road, you need to turn towards Beach Road. The free parking lot for Black Sands Beach is easily accessible from Beach Road and you can easily walk to Black Sands Beach from this parking lot. Once you reach Black Sands Beach, you need to hike north along the coastline to Big Flat Beach. We recommend hiking to Big Flat Beach from Black Sands Beach during low tide as during high tide this beach becomes inaccessible. As another access option, you can hike to this beach from two trailheads named the North Slide Peak Trailhead and the Lightning Trailhead. You need to hike nine miles along the North Slide Peak Trailhead and 10 miles along Lightning Trailhead to access Big Flat Beach. While hiking from these trailheads offers a more direct access to the beach compared to hiking from Black sands Beach, please note that getting to these trailheads requires a long drive from United States Highway 101.

There are many attractions near Big Flat Beach within an hour-and-a-45 minute drive. Tooby Memorial Park is a community park that has a picnic area and a playground. In addition, the park also has a portion of the Eel River flowing through it which offers a fun swimming and kayaking experience. In addition, a sports field and a barbecue area will also be soon available in the park. The Cape Mendocino Lighthouse present above this beach is a locally famous landmark which was originally constructed in the 19th century. While this 43-foot long lighthouse was originally situated in Shelter Cove (which is California’s westernmost point), it was moved in 1998 to Shelter Cove. If you are looking for another attraction near Big Flat Beach, Benbow State Recreation Area is a state park which has hiking trails that offer a unique way to explore the vibrant redwood forests of Northern California. This state park also offers a picnicking area and a campground. In addition, portions of the South Fork of the Eel River also pass through this state park, which offer an amazing seasonal fishing experience. If you are planning to camp in Benbow State Recreation Area, you can visit the state park’s webpage on the California Departments of Parks and Recreation’s website for more useful information on the camping rules and amenities.

If you get hungry, there are many attractions near Big Flat Beach within an hour-and-20 minute drive. Mi Mochima offers amazing Venezuelan dishes. In addition, the restaurant also serves excellent seafood and steaks. Delgada Pizza and Bakery serves amazing pizzas and pastas. In addition, the restaurant also serves burgers, tacos, and fantastic baked desserts. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Big Flat Beach, Shelter Cove RV Campground & Deli offers amazing seafood, sandwiches, burgers, fries, desserts, and pizzas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Big Flat Beach, there are many great options within an hour-and-40 minute drive. The 4-Star Benbow Historic Inn was built in the 1920s and offers many amenities including a restaurant, a nine-hole golf course, a cocktail lounge, and access to a nearby seasonal pool.  The hotel also offers a complimentary bicycle loaner facility and afternoon tea. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Best Western Plus Humboldt House Inn that offers many amenities including a pool, a hot tub, a computer for guests, a coin-operated laundry, and complimentary breakfast. In addition, the hotel also frequently organizes fun evening social gatherings. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Big Flat Beach, the 2-Star OceanFront Inn-Shelter Cove offers many amenities including a restaurant and a barbecue area with picnic tables.