Golf Courses

Southern Humboldt’s stunning landscape and laid-back sensibility makes it the perfect match for a round of golf. Here you’ll find the Lost Coast’s most scenic courses in the communities of Benbow and Shelter Cove.

Hotel guests at Benbow Historic Inn and its across-the-highway Benbow KOA enjoy access to the campground’s surprisingly challenging 9-hole golf course, a newly refurbished green that winds through the redwood-studded Benbow Valley and overlooks the meandering Eel River. The par-35 PGA rated course boasts two sets of tees allowing golfers to play 18 holes. With a putting green and set of tees for junior or beginning players, the Benbow Valley Golf Course is a perfect activity for the whole family. Golfing gear and rentals are available in the KOA’s pro shop.

Just 45 minutes beyond Benbow, you’ll find the westernmost golf course in California at Shelter Cove. The 9-hole Shelter Cove Golf Course overlooks the Pacific Ocean and covers 2,428 yards with a par of 33 for men and 34 for ladies. There is one par-5, four par-4s, and four par-3s. The slope rating is 103.

Shelter Cove Golf Course is a member of the Northern California Golf Association and NCGA has installed a computer in the club house for its members to register scores and calculate handicaps. The Community Clubhouse Recreation Facility includes a sports lawn for volleyball and crochet, bocce ball court, two horseshoe pits and a basketball hoop in the overflow parking lot. Sports equipment (horseshoes, bocce balls, basketballs, volleyballs and crochet set) are provided by the Resort Improvement District.