Mad River Campground
Mad River Campground is located on banks of its namesake river, about two miles south of Ruth Lake in the thickly forested mountains of northern California.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 35 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
35 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 11 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 12 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 13 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 14 | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 15 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 16 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 17 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 18 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Daily rate $12/night. Extra Vehicle $5/night. Fee is due at entrance kiosk. Cash or Check made payable to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). |
| Accessibility | Sites 15, 18, 19, 26 and 3 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping. A majority of the sites are adjacent to the Mad River. Tables and campfire rings are available at each site. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are also provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Six Rivers National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations. Self registration at entrance kiosk. |
| Fees | $12 per night (includes 1 vehicle); $5 extra vehicle fee. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) |
Weather by month
Getting there
When traveling north on Hwy 101, do not turn off at the Zenia Road exit at Garberville. This will result in a 2-hour delay driving on winding back roads. Instead, continue north until you reach the Hwy 36 exit near Fortuna. Turn right, heading east for approximately an hour until you reach the town of Mad River.
| Nearest town | Bridgeville, California |
| Coordinates | 40.4036° N, 123.4672° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedFive-7 Rx
36 mi from the campground
- PrescribedFive-6 Rx
37 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Trinity Outdoors ↗ | 35.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 57.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Mad River Campground - Six Rivers National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 2 miMad Oak0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.2 miPine Butte0.08 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.6 miDam Camp0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.7 miBrowns Canyon East0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.7 miShanty Creek0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.8 miBrowns Canyon West0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Mount Lassic Wilderness begins about 5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5 miMount Lassic Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,272 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated on a bluff overlooking the river among a forested area of oak trees and evergreen shrubs. Portions of the campground are capped with tall Douglas fir trees, providing ample shade. The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.
Recreation
Fishing is a popular activity and anglers can expect to catch a variety of trout in the Mad River. Nearby Ruth Lake is open for boating, swimming and other water-related activities. A marina and boat ramp are available for easy lake access, and maps and directions to the marina are located on the information boards in the campground.
Nearby
The 13,800-acre Ruth Lake is about three miles south of the campground.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Mad River Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mad River Campground?
Daily rate $12/night. Extra Vehicle $5/night. Fee is due at entrance kiosk.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mad River Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mad River Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Mad River Campground have?
35 sites, including 35 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mad River Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Mad River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mad River Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mad River Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Mad River Campground?
Sites 15, 18, 19, and 26 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 7 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Mad River Campground?
Fishing is a popular activity and anglers can expect to catch a variety of trout in the Mad River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mad River Campground?
Bridgeville, California. The 13,800-acre Ruth Lake is about three miles south of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Mad River Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Fir Cove Campground (5.3 mi), Bailey Canyon Campground (5.6 mi, first-come), and Scott Flat Campground (8.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby