King Range Wilderness

King Range Wilderness is a protected area along the California coast featuring steep terrain where mountains rise sharply from the ocean shore. The landscape combines rocky ridges, deep canyons, and untouched coastline into a rugged, interconnected environment.

The area gained wilderness protection in 2006 through federal legislation aimed at preserving wild coastal lands in Northern California. This designation ensures long-term conservation and limits development within the protected territory.

The region holds evidence of Wiyot and Yurok settlements dating back 2,800 years, with artifacts revealing extensive indigenous habitation patterns.

The area is lightly developed and requires good navigation skills since markings and facilities are sparse. Visitors should come prepared with a backpack, map or GPS device, and be ready for changing elevations and weather conditions.

The coastal dunes here retain their original composition without the European beach grass species that dominate elsewhere along the California coast. This makes the dune landscape biologically distinct from most northern coastal sections.