Eel River Campground
This campground is adjacent to the Eel River Work Center with river access. There are 15 sites, #7 and #10 are “pull-throughs” and can accommodate larger trailers. Roads within the campground are very narrow with tight turns, and may not accommodate trailers longer than 24'. This campground is dominated by oak trees, including live oaks, valley oaks and black oaks. Other vegetation includes madrone, buckeye and pine trees. There is poison oak in the campground. There is a trail near site 7 that leads from the campground to the confluence of the National Wild and Scenic Black Butte River and the National Wild & Scenic Eel River (Middle Fork). The trail is steep, so please use caution.
More like this: first-come in California · tent only in California
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $8 |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Mendocino National Forest |
| Fees | $8 |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 39.8247° N, 123.0844° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAlder Springs Underburn Rx
22 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMrrd Programatic Pile Rx
34 mi from the campground
- PrescribedHarrison Gulch Broadcast Rx
38 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Outdoor Store ↗ | 46.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Episode 5: Dispersed camping at Eel River with friends and family
Worth a stop
- 5.4 miBlands Cove Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.3 miSticklake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miThe Falls0.4 mi trail
- 1.1 miTravelers Home ↗7.6 mi trail
- 3.5 miHell Hole Canyon ↗10.4 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.2 miTravelers Home Trailhead ↗Mendocino National Forest · Season January
- 2.8 miHell Hole Trailhead ↗Mendocino National Forest · Season April
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Mendocino National Forest.
- inMendocino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,073,580 acres
- 6.5 miYolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 182,298 acres
- 8.5 miYuki Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 56,239 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Round Valley Flour MillsBuilding · Covelo · 9.1 mi
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to camp at Eel River Campground?
$8
Source: Forest Service
Is Eel River Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Eel River Campground have?
15 sites.
Source: Forest Service
Can I bring an RV to Eel River Campground?
Eel River Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Eel River Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Howard Lake Campground (6.2 mi, first-come), Howard Meadows Campground (6.2 mi, first-come), and Little Doe Campground (7.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby