California's Best Camping:
Six Rivers National Forest Campgrounds
Six Rivers National Forest spreads across Northern California's coastal mountains from the Oregon border and extending south 140 miles to Mendocino County. The six major rivers in the National Forest are the Eel, Van Duzen, Klamath, Trinity, Mad, and Smith rivers.
Most of the campgrounds in the Six Rivers National Forest fall along the mighty Klamath River and the northern end of the Trinity River. Scenic Ruth Lake and campgrounds along the Mad River are at the far southern end of Six Rivers National Forest. Several nice campgrounds along the Smith River, far to the north, are included in our Redwood Empire section.
The only group campgrounds are Barlow Group Camp near Ruth Lake and Nordheimer Campground on the Salmon River. Nordheimer Campground has no potable water and is not included in this guide. Barlow Group Camp, operated by the Ruth Lake Community Services District, is set up to accommodate campers with horses.