USDA Forest Service · California

Masterson Group Campground

USDA Forest Service · California, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
June 1 to October 17
Group sites
Yes
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Elevation
6,220 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
MASTERSON GROUP CAMP (NFSR 22N24) · native material · high clearance vehicles
Lake
Mendocino National Forest
Nearest town
Stonyford
Address
Stonyford Work Station, P.O. Box 160, Stonyford, CA, 95979-0160
Phone
530-963-3128
Activities
Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Non-Motorized Boating, Paddle Boating, Picnicking, Wildlife Viewing

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Tucked away in the towering pines of the Mendocino National Forest, the Masterson Campground is perfect for your next big get-together. The large grassy meadows of the campground are surrounded by a dense blanket of forest, offering visitors an outdoor experience of tranquility and solitude.

Recreation

The campground's open meadow areas allow for group games and activities, and a large fire ring provides the perfect place for a nighttime campfire circle and s'mores session. Plaskett Lake, a short one-mile walk from the campground, offers a variety of trout for the fishing enthusiast, as well as canoeing and other non-motorized boating activities. Mendocino National Forest's 913,306 acres of mountains and canyons allow for a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, hunting, nature study and off-highway vehicle riding. Whether it's deer, birds, rabbits, chipmunks or perhaps the occasional bear, wildlife viewing is always a popular activity for visitors. The area is also an extremely popular destination during hunting season.

Facilities

Masterson offers traditional primitive camping with the added convenience of toilets and running water. The site can hold up to 75 guests and 25 vehicles comfortably.

Natural Features

The Mendocino National Forest, California's only national forest that is not crossed by a paved road, straddles the eastern spur of the Coastal Mountain Range in northwestern California, just a three-hour drive north of San Francisco and Sacramento. Sprinkled throughout the dense green forest are several lakes, offering visitors additional recreational opportunities against a stunning and secluded backdrop.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby Plaskett Lake Campground is a family campground that can handle additional visitors for larger parties. The day use site at Plaskett Lake is a great place to spend the day. Plaskett Lake is also planted with trout.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January43°28°12°60°10 of 11
February42°27°4°61°11 of 11
March46°27°17°72°10 of 11
April51°31°19°65°10 of 11
May64°39°26°76°5 of 11
June73°46°31°89°1 of 11
July83°56°40°94°0 of 11
August82°55°46°94°0 of 11
September74°50°38°83°0 of 11
October64°42°29°80°2 of 10
November48°33°22°69°8 of 10
December41°27°10°60°9 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.