Mad River Campground

Photo · U.S. Forest Service

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

35Sites

35 ftMax rig

The place

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. 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. Facilities The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Keep reading

Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 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. 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. Nearby Attractions The 13,800-acre Ruth Lake is about three miles south of the campground.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 35

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
Loop A	09	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—
Loop A	10	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—
Loop A	11	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
Loop A	12	standard nonelectric	20 ft	—
Loop A	13	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
Loop A	14	standard nonelectric	22 ft	—
Loop A	15	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—	yes
Loop A	16	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—
Loop A	17	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
Loop A	18	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	06	standard nonelectric	22 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	07	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	08	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	19	standard nonelectric	19 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	20	standard nonelectric	22 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	21	standard nonelectric	22 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	22	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	23	standard nonelectric	30 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	24	standard nonelectric	30 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	25	standard nonelectric	26 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	26	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	27	standard nonelectric	24 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	28	standard nonelectric	26 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	29	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	30	standard nonelectric	26 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	31	standard nonelectric	30 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	32	standard nonelectric	31 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	33	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	34	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	35	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—	yes
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	36	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	37	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	38	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	39	standard nonelectric	15 ft	—
MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND	40	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

Season Dates: 5/21/2021 - 9/13/2021 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).

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in CA-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard