U.S. Forest Service · Six Rivers National Forest · California

East Fork Campground

East Fork Group site is nestled along the East Fork of Willow creek in northern California's vast Six Rivers National Forest. The campground sits under a canopy of Big Leaf Maple, Douglas Fir and Port Orford Cedar, less than 5 miles from the small mountain town of Willow Creek, known as the Bigfoot capital of the world. Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all close by in the popular Trinity River.

More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
East Fork during the FallFall in East Fork CampgroundBig Leaf Maple in Fall ColorEast Fork Groupsite Grounds
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Johnson, Six Rivers NF, Elizabeth P. Johnson, Six Rivers NF, Elizabeth P. Johnson Six Rivers NF, Kip Valesano · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group sites1
This site is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
125GravelPartial25 / 5YesYesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:30 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

3 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite 1 is listed accessible

East Fork Group Site has vault style toilets available, picnic tables and fire rings. There is no water available in the campground so please bring plenty of drinking and cooking water.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestSix Rivers National Forest
BookingNo reservations available. First come, first serve basis. Self registration kiosk at campground entrance.
Fees$8 camping fee - $5 for extra vehicle, $4 day-use fee in campground area. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Six Rivers National Forest recreation page ↗

Getting there

Approximately 32 miles east of Arcata and approximatley 105 miles west of Redding on Hwy 299, four miles west of Willow Creek

Coordinates40.9046° N, 123.7061° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Bull D Bear Grass Rx

    18 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Wooden Gate Rx

    19 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Leary Rx

    23 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Srf 2026 Rx Implementation

    29 mi from the campground · 500 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearAdventure's Edge ↗19.9 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗20.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

East Fork Campground Best Campsites - Inyo National Forest, CA

Worth a stop

In the nearby town of Willow Creek stop by and visit the Bigfoot museum. If you're around the weekend of Labor day you can stop at the Veterans Park and enjoy their Bigfoot Daze celebration, watch the parade then go check out some local vendors at the park. If you're interested in learning about some of the local tribes, drive into Hoopa and check out Hoopa Tribal Museum. 40 miles west there are many attractions along the Pacific Coast, from ocean fishing, walking along it's many beaches or perhaps hunting the beautiful agates in a few local hotspots. Oh, and don't foget about the majestic California Redwoods, Once you hit highway 101 you can go either north or south and see some of the coasts many wonders.

  • 1.8 mi
    Friday Ridge North
    0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 2.7 mi
    Friday Ridge South
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 2.9 mi
    Friday Flat
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 3.3 mi
    Horse Mountain 2
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 3.8 mi
    Boise Creek Campground
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.2 mi
    Titlow Hill 2
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Six Rivers National Forest.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is along a small creek that is great for wading and in a few spots swimming. It sits at a 680-foot elevation and provides several shady campsites about four miles west of the Trinity River. A forest of harwoods, Big Leaf Maple and conifers covers the campground, and stands of oak woodland dot the landscape, providing habitat for eight threatened and endangered species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. 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. From Willow Creek, turn north on highway 96 and drive the Bigfoot Highway up through the Hoopa Indian Reservation to the Klamath river corridor in Weitchpec where the Trinity river flows into the Klanmth river and then on down to the Pacific ocean.a

Recreation

Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all available in the Trinity River. The area also provides opportunities for biking, hiking and horseback activities, as well as fishing for migratory salmon and steelhead trout. You could always head out in search of the elusive Bigfoot on the many Forest roads in the area. Stop by the Lower Trinity Ranger Districts office at 50 Hwy 96 in Willow Creek and pick up a Six Rivers Forest map and pick up some local knowledge from the front desk staff.

Guidebooks for California

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at East Fork Campground?

Sites at East Fork Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. No reservations available. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at East Fork Campground?

$8 camping fee - $5 for extra vehicle, $4 day-use fee in campground area. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at East Fork Campground?

Check-in 02:30 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is East Fork Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does East Fork Campground have?

1 site, including 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to East Fork Campground?

East Fork Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at East Fork Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at East Fork Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at East Fork Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at East Fork Campground?

Site 1 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 East Fork Campground?

Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all available in the Trinity River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What if East Fork Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Boise Creek (3.7 mi, partly first-come), Denny Campground (16.5 mi, first-come), and Slide Creek Campground (19.4 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby