Mad River Campground
Six Rivers National Forest
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.
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.
Need to Know
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.
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.
Contact Information
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741 State Hwy 36 Bridgeville CA 95526
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 707-574-6233
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 12, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 37, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 38, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop MAD RIVER CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
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