Ruth Rec Campground

California's Best Camping

Six Rivers National Forest, California
Six Rivers National Forest, California

Ruth Rec Campground

Ruth Lake


Ruth Rec Campground

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Ruth Rec Campground is on the eastern shore of Ruth Lake in southern Trinity County, southeast of Eureka. 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 Ruth Rec Campground.

Seven-mile-long Ruth Lake was formed by a dam on the Mad River. 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.

Ruth Rec Campground offers 96 campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents. Some campsites are lakefront. Amenities at the campground include hot showers, restrooms with flush toilets, and beach access. Also within the campground are a boat launch ramp with a courtesy dock, kayak and canoe rentals, and a camp store. Campers must register before setting up in camp.

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Ruth Rec Campground Basics
Ruth Rec Campground Location: On Mad River Road at Ruth Lake
Elevation: 2,660 feet
Mileage and driving times from gateway cities: Fortuna - 65 miles, 1:42
Eureka - 82 miles, 1:56 minutes
Red Bluff - 99 miles, 2:13
Number of Sites: 96
Camping Season: Open mid-April through October
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 (includes trailers and trailered boats)
Pets: on leash, always attended, $2 per day
Maximum of 2 dogs per campsite
Operated by: Ruth Lake Community Services District for Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District
Ruth Lake Community Services District: (707) 574-6196

Reservations for Ruth Rec Campground
Reservations Reservations are available whenever campground is open.
Maximum RV/trailer Length:
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: Sites 1-16 and sites 96-100 are $32 per night (seniors $30)
Sites 19-93 are $26 per night (seniors $24)
Weekly and monthly rates are available.
Campground Map: Ruth Rec Campground Map
Reservations: (800) 840-9545 or (707) 574-6196
Oct - March call (707) 574-6332
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, 12:00 Noon

Ruth Rec Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, fish cleaning station
Showers: Yes
Dump station: Available at Hobart Creek Campground
Supplies available in - Journey's End store near the Marina
- Dinsmore, 22 miles NW on Hwy. 36
Attractions near Ruth Rec Campground: Rent canoes and kayaks at the campground. Launch your boat from a ramp in the campground. Fish Ruth Lake for rainbow trout, large & smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Rent fishing boats at the marina. Waterski and wakeboard on the lake. Enjoy a meal at Journey's End Diner. Set out for a day hike. The Bailey Vista and Lakeview trails start from Fir Cove, and the Picket Peak Trail starts from Bailey Canyon.

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Ruth Lake Campground Map< Trinity County, CA



Crater, Lake Oregon.

Crater Lake

Six Rivers National Forest
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to the Six Rivers National Forest have wonderful places to explore and many scenic drives to enjoy. Campers at Ruth Rec Campground are on the shore of Ruth Lake in southern Trinity County.

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
  • Ruth Lake Events

Six Rivers National Forest

  • Head out mountain biking on the Barry Creek Trail.
  • Fish along the Eel River and the Van Duzen River.
  • Hike along any of more than a dozen great trails in the area such as Bailey Canyon Campground Trail, Lost Creek Trail, and Devils Backbone Trail.
  • Have some fun on some OHV trail rides such as the Barry Creek Trail, Devils Backbone Trail, and Skull Camp Trail.
  • Fish, raft, and kayak along the Salmon River, designated as a Scenic and Recreational River. Take advantage of the Ti Bar River Access.
  • Saddle up for trail rides from the Bell Swamp Trail, Graveyard Prairie Trail, Oregon Creek Trail, and a dozen others.
  • Get your thrills river rafting on the On the Klamath River with an experienced rafting company: River Country Rafting, Klamath River Rafting

Key Ruth Rec Campground Regulations

  1. Dogs must be on leash and attended at all times in the campground.
  2. Keep food and scented items in a secure place so that bears cannot get to them.
  3. Campfires must be confined to the provided fire ring.
  4. Quiet time extends from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
  5. Obtain firewood locally to help prevent the spread of invasive pests.

Nearby Campgrounds

Ruth Lake Campgrounds


Six Rivers National Forest Campgrounds


Trinity River Campgrounds


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General Camping Information

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