Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is a protected area along the Mendocino County coast with forests, coastal prairies, dark sand beaches, and marine habitats. The landscape shifts between dense woods and open spaces that meet the Pacific Ocean.

The area was a settlement region for the Sinkyone people, who lived near streams and rivers over many generations while moving seasonally to hunt and gather food. Early European settlement later displaced these populations from their traditional lands.

The park contains ancient pathways and former Native American village sites, reflecting centuries of indigenous presence along the northern California coast.

The park is reached via steep, unpaved roads from Highway 1 or Highway 101, with entry points at Usal Beach and Needle Rock Visitor Center. Plan extra time for the drive and check road conditions before visiting.

The area is part of the Lost Coast, one of California's rare coastal regions without major road connections, preserving the natural quiet. This isolation has helped keep the wilderness relatively undisturbed.

Location: Mendocino County

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Shares border with: Four Corners, InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness

Website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=429

GPS coordinates: 39.92000,-123.94000

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46