Deer Valley Campground
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. One campsite is currently closed due to storm damage. OHV trails are temporarily closed as of December 20, 2025 due to wet weather and will reopen after 48 consecutive hours with no measurable precipitation.
Stonyford Office Hours Temporary Change
Starting Jan. 19, the Stonyford Office will be open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays only. Our regular Monday-Friday schedule will resume on Feb. 9.
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!
Chico Seed Orchard pedestrian access
The pedestrian gate is broken so access is limited to the drive-through gate. The drive-through gate is accessible Monday - Friday from 7am-3pm, except on federal holidays. The orchard is closed to the public outside of these hours until the pedestrian gate can be restored.
M10 Road Construction
The M10 road will be closed Monday, Nov. 17- 20, 2025. Closure location is above Fouts Springs near Dixie Glade. Main impacts are to the Letts Lake basin on Grindstone Ranger District. Detour to get to Letts Lake is via the M5 and 17N02 Roads, high clearance vehicle recommended.
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.
Trail 3 on Grindstone closed due to slide
Trail 85303 (Trail 3) on the Grindstone Ranger District closed due to landslide: Trail 85303 is closed between Trail 85304 and M5 Road for public safety and to protect natural resources. Unstable soil, downed trees and a steep drop off make this trail unsafe for users.
Cedar Camp Campground Closure
Cedar Camp Campground is closed for public safety. Closure is in effect through 6/18/26.
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 Nov. 1. Spring/summer hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. A closure is in effect outside of these hours.
About
Located deep in the Mendocino National Forest within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, Deer Valley Campground serves primarily as an OHV basecamp with direct trail access. The campground offers 7 primitive sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and pedestal grill. At 3,700 feet elevation, the campground sits in a mixed woodland setting approximately 12 miles north of Upper Lake. This is a true backcountry experience requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles, as access roads (Forest Road 16N01 and 16N30) are very narrow and can become impassable after winter storms. Trailers are not permitted. The campground operates first-come, first-served at $6 per night, with payment available via cash, check, or the Recreation.gov Scan & Pay mobile app at the campground kiosk. Campers must be self-sufficient: no potable water is available, and there is no trash service. Pack out all garbage. Vault toilets are provided. The campground is popular with OHV enthusiasts due to direct trail access, though trails may close temporarily during wet weather when soils become saturated.
Directions
From Upper Lake, drive north 12 miles on County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1), then 4 miles east on Forest Road 16N01. Roads are very narrow and require high-clearance 4WD vehicles only. No trailers permitted. Access can become impassable after winter storms. Alternative access via Potter Valley (Mendocino County Rd 240/Lake County Rd 301) or Sam Alley (Forest Roads 16N01 and 16N30).
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 | $6 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 0ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sm.fs.mendopao@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (707) 275-2361 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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