By:
Submission
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.
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.
The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping. 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.
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.
The 13,800-acre Ruth Lake is about three miles south of the campground.
When traveling north on Hwy 101, do not turn off at the Zenia Road exit at Garberville. This 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.
If traveling on Interstate 5, turn at Hwy 36 at Red Bluff and head west for 2 hours until you see the sign for Ruth Lake at Mad River Road.
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).
So beautiful, so AWESOME... LAKE'S NOT FAR. CAMPING GREAT!!! CRAPPIE & TROUT SO YUM..FUN FOR KIDS LEARNING HOW "TO JIG" GREAT FOOD & FOLK'S. SCOTT, YOUR PICTURE'S ARE JUST AWESOME.... GREAT TO SEE YOUR WORK!!! RHONNIE, RY & MAYC ...YOUR ONCE NEIGHBORS FROM ROCKPIT RD.
I camped here with a small group. We were the only campers around which was nice. There was easy river access, lots of poison oak around. The bathroom closest to our camp site was just awful. Others were fine but it was a little walk. If you want to get into the river bring water shoes because there are rocks. Great fun all around just the bathroom was a turn off.
Quiet and perfect. Me and the wife enjoyed our first anniversary here.
Very few people here. I pulled in on Sunday afternoon I was the only one here. Nobody monitoring the campground except for emptying the trash in the morning. There are a couple campgrounds down the road one with a lake view access. Toilets and running water only. Couple sites right on the river. I came back here for the privacy. Ruth lake just down the road a big huge beautiful lake despite the large burn last year. Caught a good size silver salmon. There's a day use area past the campgrounds and Marina to the right which you have access to the lake with shade and Sun for solar which is where I caught my fish awesome place. You have to kind of look for it or you might miss it like I did .
