Wilderness area
Rocks and Islands Wilderness
Rocks and Islands Wilderness is a 6-acre wilderness area in Humboldt County, California. It rises from about -3 to 17 ft. The nearest town is Shelter Cove, 1.2 miles away in a straight line.
Rocks and Islands Wilderness map
Rocks and Islands Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Shelter Cove, CA is the nearest town, 1.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Rocks and Islands Wilderness is about 17 ft, and its lowest about -3 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Rocks and Islands Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLM | 6 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | King Range Project Office, 707-986-5400 |
Getting to Rocks and Islands Wilderness
- Shelter Cove, CA is the nearest town, 1.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at Rocks and Islands Wilderness
- Black Sands Beach Trailhead (0.24 mi outside the boundary, 93 ft), at 40.0455, -124.0782
- Mattole Trail Head (0.33 mi outside the boundary, 21 ft), at 40.2891, -124.3560
Trailhead locations: BLM recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Public lands next to Rocks and Islands Wilderness
- BLM unitRocks and Islands Wilderness lies inside California Coastal National Monument.
- BLM unitRocks and Islands Wilderness borders King Range National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaRocks and Islands Wilderness borders King Range Wilderness.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in California
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=703 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n40w125/USGS_1_n40w125.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n40w124/USGS_1_n40w124.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n41w125/USGS_1_n41w125.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n41w124/USGS_1_n41w124.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_06.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://gis.blm.gov/arcgis/rest/services/recreation/BLM_Natl_Recs_pts/MapServer/14 (accessed 2026-09-29)