Bear Creek Campground
Open — Open year-round with challenging access. Traditional routes via Elk Mountain Road and M10 Road are closed due to storm damage. Currently accessible only through Potter Valley or via Sam Alley using forest roads. High-clearance 4WD required; no trailers. Rice Fork crossing may be impassable depending on water levels. Vault toilets are reported as full.
Partial road closure 22N11 Road
A partial road closure is in place on the 22N11 Road in the Covelo Ranger District. Location of the closure is shown on the map. The closure is for public safety after a road failure in the area has made vehicle travel unsafe and at risk of collapse without warning under the weight of a vehicle.…
Chico Seed Orchard Public Use and Access Closure
Pets must be on a leash. Fall/winter hours are 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. beginning November 1 - February 29. Spring/summer hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. beginning March 1 - October 31. A closure is in effect outside of these hours.
M10 Road Construction
The M10 road has an active construction zone to repair a major slide, located above Fouts Springs near Dixie Glade. Depending on construction progress, there can be periods where the road is impassable, has traffic control stops, or is passable in high clearance vehicles. Main impacts to access are…
Road conditions
Please be advised that forest roads are NOT plowed or maintained in winter so driving conditions are hazardous, slippery, and may be impassable. Even with good snow tires and four-wheel drive, less than a foot of snow is enough to get a vehicle stuck! Snow and ice can be expected at higher…
Developed campground stay limits
Developed campground camping stay limits are in effect across the Mendocino National Forest through October 12, 2027. Visitors may camp in the same developed recreation campground for 14 days within any 30-day period but no more than 28 cumulative days in any 12-month period.
Dispersed camping stay limits
Dispersed camping stay limits are in effect across the Mendocino National Forest through Oct.8, 2027. The stay limits apply to developed campgrounds and dispersed camping locations. Visitors may camp in the same location outside a one-mile radius of a developed recreation site for 14 days within…
Trail 34 on Upper Lake District closed due to unsafe conditions
OHV Trail 34 is closed due to trail tread degradation and rutting that runs 300 feet down the trail. The trail is unsafe due to unstable soil, extremely muddy conditions and increased runoff.
Cedar Camp Campground Closure
Cedar Camp Campground is closed for public safety. Closure is in effect through 6/18/26.
About
Bear Creek Campground sits in a remote section of Mendocino National Forest within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This primitive, no-fee campground offers 16 sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, plus a large equestrian camp for horse camping. Located along Bear Creek, the campground provides opportunities for fishing, backpacking, and day hiking in a secluded forest setting. The campground is open year-round but access is challenging and often limited. Multiple road closures and storm damage on traditional routes mean campers must currently access the site via Potter Valley or Sam Alley using forest roads that require high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Trailers cannot access the campground due to narrow roads. The Rice Fork crossing on M10 Road can become impassable during high water events, and vault toilets may be full during peak seasons. This is a true dispersed-style experience with no potable water, no fees, and minimal amenities. Campers must be self-sufficient and prepared for primitive conditions. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Directions
Located 15 miles north of Upper Lake on Elk Mountain Road, and 8 miles east on Forest Road M10. Due to storm damage, traditional routes are closed. Currently accessible through Potter Valley via Mendocino County Rd 240 / Lake County Rd 301 or via Sam Alley using Forest Roads 16N01 and 16N30. High-clearance 4WD required; roads are very narrow with no trailer access.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 934-3316 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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