I have been north of USAL on the dirt road. However, not on this trip. I’ve done it twice before on previous trips. I heard there was a closure up that way now so I’d check before I did it.
There is no camping on Usal Beach. If everyone packed out a bit more than they packed in we could keep this area open and pristine. It's been over 40 years since my first trip... sad to see it getting so overrun but I guess that's the nature of social media.
Everything you say is true. It’s become quite a party scene on weekends, and some people really enjoy that. You can still enjoy solitude if you visit during the week when school is in session.
Great video! I appreciate the history as my family lived there. The photo you shared of the two ladies was Grandma Jen and my Aunt Mary. I don’t remember Grandma Jen, but Aunt Mary was a big part of my life growing up. Thank you so much for making this!
Camped there 30 years ago with my family in June. Started to pour down rain, had to leave because my tent rainflap tore with a gust of wind. Barely made it out because of the muddy road. Got back to the main road with my van covered in mud. I have been back.
Thanks for sharing. I've also camped at Usal beach with my Sprinter 4x4 a few times, it's my favorite place to get away from everyone. I really hope Usal doesn't get ruined by some peoples BLM land mentality... ie this last a large family brought sand rails and two stroke dirt bikes and made such a ruckus in such a peaceful area . The last time I camped there was in the begining of Aug 2024, perfect weather, no mud, ruts starting to get deep, but easily managable with a 4x4 or AWD. I would not recommend going there with a low ground clearance or heavy front wheel drive vehicle, because you might have serious problems making it up some of the steep rutted hills...definitely no travel trailers! (take at your own risk).
I camped there a couple times back in the 80's. The second trip was solo and easy enough. On both trips there was only one or two other campers around. On my solo trip it was plane to see there was some serious smuggling going down There was also a regular anchor out location used by fishing vessels and clearly this feature was perfect for smuggling as well. At that time it was probably mostly big bundles of Tie stick floated in from the Anchorage and retrieve off the beach and transported away from the area. It was also the gateway to the green triangle of illegal growers so it was a little sketchy and risking to travel north of USAL Toward honeydew and shelter gove. All and all it is a very unique area of very deep costal California wilderness. Nothing else like it in the state and maybe for alot of Oregon as well.
Great video and the history makes it that much better!! How was the Sprinter on the way out that road to Hywy 1. Brought my Revel down here curious how it is climbing back out. Cheers!
No problem driving out. The only issues are moisture and other vehicles coming in. If it's dry it's an easy drive. If muddy it can be challenging. If you leave at a time when a lot of people are arriving, that can be a challenge. So choose your departure time carefully and you should have no issues. Enjoy!
Check out crater lake and the trees of mystery in that area also an Oregon. The scenic highway is another good drive be safe love your truck I share it on twitter
Thanks for the comment. If you watch the video closely you will notice that I point out that USAL Beach itself has been technically closed to camping for a long time and camping is only "allowed" in the camping area near by. So the beach is technically closed to camping but not closed to visiting on foot. When I was there 90% of the campers were actually camped (illegally) on the beach with only 10% in the designated camping area. However, your question is not 100% clear and if you mean that you have heard that the enire area is absolutely closed to visiting, then that would be a new development recently (early 2024) that I have not heard of. It's not a bad idea to make sure the area is open before visiting. I hope this answers your question correclty.
Love that place. Last time I was there in July 2022. Inland it was near or over 100F just about all the way to the Canadian border so I headed for Usal. I only saw the sun once during the week because of the constant fog and had to wear a sweatshirt the whole time. It was glorious😂 BUT, I learned a lesson that time. When I went to leave my van started up fine but when I hit the gas it sputtered out. It sounded like it wanted to start after that but it just wouldn't keep running. I started digging into it and the first thing I saw was a huge hole had been chewed through my air filter. So I follow the air intake all the way back to the throttle body and there's a cute little mouse staring back at me from INSIDE the throttle body where it had made a nest out of my air filter. When I had hit the gas to go he had been sucked partway in. Luckily nothing had made it into the engine and I was able to clean it out and get it all back together for the drive home. I've since put one of those little electronic rodent repellent devices in the engine bay that makes ultrasonic noise and flashes LEDs constantly. Not sure how much it actually helps but that along with some peppermint and cinnamon oil spray gets used liberally when I'm out in the sticks now:)
Great story and thanks for the info. I'm guessing you were camped in the trees and not on the beach? Critters can certainly be a problem. Glad it wasn't the marmots that are known to chew through radiator hoses to get at antifreeze!
@@fiestaadventures Nope. I was parked right where that other 4x4 Sprinter at 8:13 in your video was. I've stayed in that spot two other times and never had a problem. I was there for a week this time though so maybe my little mouse friend thought the van was a permanent fixture on the beach he could set up house in:)
No trouble getting to the beach from the south (Hwy 1). The closure was north of the beach. Don’t know if that’s changed but it’s likely passable the way I went which is the standard route.
@@slowazzes1972 Everyone keep in mind that a wet surface changes everything. If it’s dry a 2WD vehicle with average to above average clearance can make it. If it’s wet it’s slick as snot and a 2WD vehicle has pretty much no chance unless it has a locker. I’ve done it both ways and I can tell you it’s night and day. Also it doesn’t need to rain - fog can cause wet conditions.
Thank you for the comment. 🙏 The road is super steep, narrow and winds around sharp curves. If it’s wet it’s super slick. Also some vehicles will need to back up when encountering another. I personally would not try to bring a trailer back there. Most vehicles you see are 4x4 overlanders. My 4x4 Sprinter van was an exception.
@@fiestaadventures We met two rigs towing 20'+ trailers last September while driving out to HWY 1. Luckily we were in a smaller, 4WD PU. We had to back up a half mile to find a place to let them by. If we were in anything bigger it would have been serious.
![BEACH Camping with Sunset Views [Relaxing Sounds of the Ocean, Cozy Awning Tent, ASMR]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-dIh3yJEwlI/mqdefault.jpg)
Come during the week, it’s always packed during weekends.
Awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed it
If I ever get back there again, I’m definitely going to the candelabra redwoods very close to the beach entrance, short hike. Look it up.
I have been and it’s awesome. I should have included it here…
@@fiestaadventuresPlease Include in additional video thank you
Great video
Thank you for this video. I always pick up extra trash wherever I camp. Bucketlist.
Thanks for the comment and caring about keeping our camping areas nice for others!
Nice video, i love visiting Usal. Did you go north on Usal past the campground this trip?
I have been north of USAL on the dirt road. However, not on this trip. I’ve done it twice before on previous trips. I heard there was a closure up that way now so I’d check before I did it.
@@fiestaadventures oh dang. I was hoping to go there this weekend and go up to shelter cove via Usal Rd. But may have to change plans if it’s closed
There is no camping on Usal Beach. If everyone packed out a bit more than they packed in we could keep this area open and pristine. It's been over 40 years since my first trip... sad to see it getting so overrun but I guess that's the nature of social media.
Everything you say is true. It’s become quite a party scene on weekends, and some people really enjoy that. You can still enjoy solitude if you visit during the week when school is in session.
Great video! I appreciate the history as my family lived there. The photo you shared of the two ladies was Grandma Jen and my Aunt Mary. I don’t remember Grandma Jen, but Aunt Mary was a big part of my life growing up. Thank you so much for making this!
Camped there 30 years ago with my family in June. Started to pour down rain, had to leave because my tent rainflap tore with a gust of wind. Barely made it out because of the muddy road. Got back to the main road with my van covered in mud. I have been back.
of all the videos I have seen this is the best description of the roads and getting there to USAL. Well done!
Thanks for the comment!
Also the turn off was nothing more than a cattle grossin and all dirt back in the 80's.
Thanks for sharing. I've also camped at Usal beach with my Sprinter 4x4 a few times, it's my favorite place to get away from everyone. I really hope Usal doesn't get ruined by some peoples BLM land mentality... ie this last a large family brought sand rails and two stroke dirt bikes and made such a ruckus in such a peaceful area . The last time I camped there was in the begining of Aug 2024, perfect weather, no mud, ruts starting to get deep, but easily managable with a 4x4 or AWD. I would not recommend going there with a low ground clearance or heavy front wheel drive vehicle, because you might have serious problems making it up some of the steep rutted hills...definitely no travel trailers! (take at your own risk).
Thank you for the comment. I agree with everything. Cheers!
I camped there a couple times back in the 80's. The second trip was solo and easy enough. On both trips there was only one or two other campers around. On my solo trip it was plane to see there was some serious smuggling going down There was also a regular anchor out location used by fishing vessels and clearly this feature was perfect for smuggling as well. At that time it was probably mostly big bundles of Tie stick floated in from the Anchorage and retrieve off the beach and transported away from the area. It was also the gateway to the green triangle of illegal growers so it was a little sketchy and risking to travel north of USAL Toward honeydew and shelter gove. All and all it is a very unique area of very deep costal California wilderness. Nothing else like it in the state and maybe for alot of Oregon as well.
Some of the areas up there are still sketchy to travel around today! 😲
Great video and the history makes it that much better!! How was the Sprinter on the way out that road to Hywy 1. Brought my Revel down here curious how it is climbing back out. Cheers!
No problem driving out. The only issues are moisture and other vehicles coming in. If it's dry it's an easy drive. If muddy it can be challenging. If you leave at a time when a lot of people are arriving, that can be a challenge. So choose your departure time carefully and you should have no issues. Enjoy!
Thank you sir! You explained well and share your experiences. Most other TH-cam channels kind not sharing how to get there.
Glad it was helpful!
Wonder if many are trying to keep it a secret, but also want the views? Hard to have it both ways...
That, sir, was beautiful! Thank you.
You are very welcome and thanks for the comment!
GREAT video! Thank You for all the fascinating history and showing me a part of the coast I've been interested in for decades! Maybe someday...
Thanks for the comment. It's an amazing place to visit and I hope you make it someday.
Check out crater lake and the trees of mystery in that area also an Oregon. The scenic highway is another good drive be safe love your truck I share it on twitter
Thanks for the comment and share. Cheers!
Great video; the best and most thoughtful I’ve seen about Usal!
Thank you for the thoughtful comment!
What month was this?
April
ive been told by other overlanders that usal beach is technically closed ? were there still other campers there?
Thanks for the comment. If you watch the video closely you will notice that I point out that USAL Beach itself has been technically closed to camping for a long time and camping is only "allowed" in the camping area near by. So the beach is technically closed to camping but not closed to visiting on foot. When I was there 90% of the campers were actually camped (illegally) on the beach with only 10% in the designated camping area. However, your question is not 100% clear and if you mean that you have heard that the enire area is absolutely closed to visiting, then that would be a new development recently (early 2024) that I have not heard of. It's not a bad idea to make sure the area is open before visiting. I hope this answers your question correclty.
Made it up this weekend 2020 Silverado v6 2x2
Nice job! Probably more or less dry?
Love that place. Last time I was there in July 2022. Inland it was near or over 100F just about all the way to the Canadian border so I headed for Usal. I only saw the sun once during the week because of the constant fog and had to wear a sweatshirt the whole time. It was glorious😂
BUT, I learned a lesson that time. When I went to leave my van started up fine but when I hit the gas it sputtered out. It sounded like it wanted to start after that but it just wouldn't keep running. I started digging into it and the first thing I saw was a huge hole had been chewed through my air filter. So I follow the air intake all the way back to the throttle body and there's a cute little mouse staring back at me from INSIDE the throttle body where it had made a nest out of my air filter. When I had hit the gas to go he had been sucked partway in. Luckily nothing had made it into the engine and I was able to clean it out and get it all back together for the drive home.
I've since put one of those little electronic rodent repellent devices in the engine bay that makes ultrasonic noise and flashes LEDs constantly. Not sure how much it actually helps but that along with some peppermint and cinnamon oil spray gets used liberally when I'm out in the sticks now:)
Great story and thanks for the info. I'm guessing you were camped in the trees and not on the beach? Critters can certainly be a problem. Glad it wasn't the marmots that are known to chew through radiator hoses to get at antifreeze!
@@fiestaadventures Nope. I was parked right where that other 4x4 Sprinter at 8:13 in your video was. I've stayed in that spot two other times and never had a problem. I was there for a week this time though so maybe my little mouse friend thought the van was a permanent fixture on the beach he could set up house in:)
According to the GPS usal rd is closed heading to the beach. Im assuming you didn’t have any trouble nor that rd is closed right ?
No trouble getting to the beach from the south (Hwy 1). The closure was north of the beach. Don’t know if that’s changed but it’s likely passable the way I went which is the standard route.
Thanks heading there next month
Great video! Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Jelly well done sir
Thank you!
What a challenge. I slept on a road, but I don't think it was Usal Road. Could I make Usal Road with a RAV4?
Yes. When it's dry it would be easy peasy. When wet a bit challenging but I think the RAV4 would do just fine.
Rav4 would easily make it, I’ve seen people bring Honda odysseys down with no issue.
@@slowazzes1972 Everyone keep in mind that a wet surface changes everything. If it’s dry a 2WD vehicle with average to above average clearance can make it. If it’s wet it’s slick as snot and a 2WD vehicle has pretty much no chance unless it has a locker. I’ve done it both ways and I can tell you it’s night and day. Also it doesn’t need to rain - fog can cause wet conditions.
Love the video
Can you bring a 20 ft camper trailer on usual rd ??
Thank you for the comment. 🙏
The road is super steep, narrow and winds around sharp curves. If it’s wet it’s super slick. Also some vehicles will need to back up when encountering another. I personally would not try to bring a trailer back there. Most vehicles you see are 4x4 overlanders. My 4x4 Sprinter van was an exception.
@@fiestaadventures We met two rigs towing 20'+ trailers last September while driving out to HWY 1. Luckily we were in a smaller, 4WD PU. We had to back up a half mile to find a place to let them by. If we were in anything bigger it would have been serious.
NO
Thank you for the video and all the information. 🏕
Thank you for the comment!