USDA Forest Service · California
Mad River Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 35
- Hookups
- 35 no hookups
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,533 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MAD RIVER C.G. (NFSR 01S50A) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Six Rivers National Forest
- Nearest town
- Bridgeville
- Address
- 741 State Hwy 36, Bridgeville, CA, 95526
- Phone
- 707-574-6233
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking
35 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Fees
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).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52° | 36° | 26° | 68° | 5 of 11 |
| February | 51° | 36° | 14° | 72° | 6 of 11 |
| March | 54° | 35° | 24° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 60° | 38° | 28° | 76° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 46° | 35° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 78° | 52° | 40° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 89° | 60° | 49° | 103° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 90° | 61° | 53° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 81° | 54° | 42° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 74° | 48° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 59° | 41° | 30° | 75° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 51° | 35° | 19° | 67° | 7 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
- Fir Cove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 14 sites
- Bailey Canyon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Forest Glen Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Forest Glen Guard Station · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Hell Gate Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-07-20. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.