The article presents the results of studies on how the unsystematic impact of recreational loads leads to deterioration in the soil cover of the Black Sea coast. The impact of anthropogenic factors leads to severe degradation of the soil cover and greatly changes the level of soil moisture reserve. The objectives of the study included studying the composition of soils in the forest territories of the Novorossiysk, Gelendzhiks, Abinsky, Afipsky forestry, analysis of the properties and condition of soils, and the assessment of various indicators as a result of the impact of recreation. The main problem in the conditions of recreation is the decrease in thickness and fertile layer in forest soils of the Black Sea coast due to trampling and degradation of the litter. The main quantitative indicators of damage to the soil cover during recreation affects the dynamics of soil moisture are presented in the tables 1 and 2, where the soils in the pine and rock oak formations (the main forest-forming species of the Krasnodar Territory). The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that studies of the state of forest soils under conditions of increasing recreational loads are rarely carried out. Scientists and forestry workers study the soil as a biological source for the growth of woody plants in various types of soils. Novelty is that the study of soils is carried out not only under conditions of recreational stress, but also in mountainous terrain.