Little Black Sands Beach
About
Little Black Sands Beach is a public ocean beach in California, about 1.2 miles from the town of Shelter Cove. There is no fee to visit. The weather here stays mild year-round. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 68°F from June through September, with September warming to about 70°F. Winters are cooler, with highs near 58 to 61°F and lows around 47°F. Several trails lie within a few miles, including the Pacific Rim Trail at about 2.7 miles and the Courtyard Trail at about 2.8 miles. For an overnight stay, Tolkan Campground is about 3.2 miles away and Nadelos Campground is about 4 miles away.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
None at the access
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Little Black Sands Beach
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Mar–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 61–70°F and lows of 47–54°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Shelter Cove Aviation, CA weather station, 0.5 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan58° high47° low
- Feb59° high47° low
- Mar61° high47° low
- Apr62° high47° low
- May65° high49° low
- Jun68° high52° low
- Jul68° high53° low
- Aug68° high54° low
- Sep70° high54° low
- Oct68° high52° low
- Nov62° high49° low
- Dec59° high47° low
Nearby
- Pacific Rim TrailHiking2.7 mi
- Courtyard TrailHiking2.8 mi
- Hidden Valley TrailHiking3 mi
- Ocean View TrailHiking3.1 mi
- Tolkan CampgroundCamping3.2 mi
- Nadelos CampgroundCamping4 mi
- Wailaki CampgroundCamping4.2 mi
Mattole RiverCanoeingPhoto: Ellin Beltz, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)6.1 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Little Black Sands Beach
Best months: Year-round. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
58° / 47°
Feb
59° / 47°
Mar
61° / 47°
Apr
62° / 47°
May
65° / 49°
Jun
68° / 52°
Jul
68° / 53°
Aug
68° / 54°
Sep
70° / 54°
Oct
68° / 52°
Nov
62° / 49°
Dec
59° / 47°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Shelter Cove Aviation, CA, 0.5 mi away at 246 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
