Mad River Campground is in the southern portion of Six Rivers National Forest, southeast of Eureka and only 4 miles north of Ruth Lake. Visitors to the campground usually make the short trip up to Ruth Lake for the day, taking advantage of the boating, waterskiing, fishing, and swimming opportunities there.
Mad River Campground offers 40 campsites on a bluff overlooking the Mad River. Oaks, manzanita, and Douglas fir provide good shade for the sites. All the campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Most campsites can be reserved while a few are kept available as first-come, first-served sites. Faucets for filling water tanks are located at the first set of restrooms between campsites 26 and 27.
Open mid-May through mid-September, depending on weather
Max. People per Site:
8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site:
1 ($5 per night fee for additional un-towed vehicle)
Pets:
on leash, always attended
Mad River Ranger District:
(707) 574-6233
Reservations for Mad River Campground
Reservations Available
Reservations are available for camping dates from mid-May through September. If the campground is open at other times, all sites are first-come, first-served.
Booking Window:
Reservations can be made from 3 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
- Mad River Store, 5 miles north on Hwy. 36
- Journey's End store near the Ruth Lake Marina
- Dinsmore, 11½ miles NW on Hwy. 36
Attractions near Mad River Campground:
Fish the Mad River for trout. Head up the road to Ruth Lake for boating, boat rentals, waterskiing, fishing, and swimming. Hike on the Bailey Vista and Lakeview trails which start from Fir Cove, or the Picket Peak Trail which starts from Bailey Canyon. Fish Ruth Lake for rainbow trout, large & smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Enjoy a meal at Journey's End Diner.
Seven-mile-long Ruth Lake was formed by a dam on the Mad River. The lake is operated by the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. Ruth Lake Community Services District manages many of the recreation facilities around the lake, including several campgrounds. Two other campgrounds - Bailey Canyon Campground and Fir Cove Campground - are managed by the Six Rivers National Forest.
The lake is popular with boaters, water skiers, anglers, and swimmers. Visitors enjoy warm summers and cool springs and falls. Facilities at the lake include a marina with boat rentals, a store, and two boat ramps. Boat Inspections are required before being launched into the lake.
Driving Directions
Recreation.gov offers the following suggestions: "When coming north on Hwy 101, skip the turn-off at the Zenia Road exit at Garberville. Using the Zenia Road 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. After you cross the bridge at the Mad River, look for the Mad River Road turn-off on the right. The sign will say Ruth Lake. Continue for 10 minutes to reach the Mad River Campground.
"For those coming from Interstate 5, in Red Bluff, go west on Highway 36 for about 2 hours. Watch for the Ruth Lake and Mad River Road turn."
Six Rivers National Forest Attractions and Activities
Visitors to the Six Rivers National Forest find a variety of wonderful places to explore. Campers at Mad River Campground are only 4 miles from scenic Ruth Lake.
Ruth Lake Events
Ruth Lake Bass Tournaments in early May and early June
Kids' Free Fishing Derby in May
Annual Ruth Lake Summer Festival on Labor Day weekend
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.
Accessible Sites
Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate
