Published 8/17/24

The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce is pleased to share with visitors that Centerville Road has been re-opened to allow access to the Guthrie Creek Trail at Lost Coast Headlands (LCH), meaning you can now once again experience one of the most breathtaking and secluded beach hikes in northern California.

Centerville Road had closed at the nearby Fleener Creek trailhead this past winter due to landslide activity. The County of Humboldt recently finished re-routing the road to allow renewed access to Guthrie Creek. The former Fleener trailhead area remains closed for public safety.

Why we love Guthrie Creek

Lost Coast Headlands “is hard to beat if you are looking for quiet recreational pursuits,” the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says in describing the area, which became part of the California Coastal National Monument in 2017.

The Lost Coast Headlands are located along the coastal bluffs south of the mouth of the Eel River, approximately 280 miles north of San Francisco, 25 miles south of Eureka, and 6 miles west of Ferndale. The 463 acres of public land provide seasonal beach access and include grasslands with scattered patches of forest and portions of the Fleener Creek and Guthrie Creek watersheds. The northern point of California's Lost Coast is a place of rolling mountains and windswept coastal bluffs crumbling onto narrow beaches. … Lost Coast Headlands offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, wildflower viewing, and beachcombing.

Hikers on AllTrails describe Guthrie Creek as “very enjoyable,” “serene,” “lovely,” and having “great views.” “We almost owned the beach for the day,” said one hiker. The trail is rated moderate difficulty with 4.4 stars.

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Good to know

A representative from the BLM Arcata Field Office shared the following points with us in an email this week.

Regarding the former Fleener Creek trailhead and parking area: “Pedestrian use of that erosion-prone area is not safe.”
“The old County road is closed and has been blocked with large rocks. We do not recommend people explore the old Fleener parking lot area, or walk around on the west side of the closed section of the old County Road.”
The restroom at the Guthrie Creek trailhead is open and being serviced.

As for the Guthrie Creek trail itself, it’s always a good idea to be aware of incoming tide and to check for ticks after your hike. Never turn your back on the ocean, and beware sneaker waves. In wet weather, the trail-beach connection can become muddy and at times impassable.

More to do

The Lost Coast Headlands day use area on the east side of Centerville Road has remained open throughout the recent west side changes, and it remains another great place to take in stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, Table Bluff, and the mouth of the Eel River. Things to know about the day use area:

A short and mostly flat loose-gravel trail starting on the east side of the day use area will lead you to interpretive signs on historic shipwrecks, fossils, dairy history, and the former Cold War-era Centerville Naval Facility.
Three picnic tables with grills sit just off the parking lot.
Trash, recycling, and doggie bags are available.
Dogs must be under voice control at all times.
Closed overnight.

Conclusion

We can’t wait for you to experience the wonder of the Lost Coast Headlands. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to this special place, we wish you a safe and awe-inspiring visit.