East Fork Campground

About

East Fork Campground is a group site along the East Fork of Willow Creek in the Six Rivers National Forest, situated at approximately 680 feet elevation. The campground reopened in September 2025 after more than a year of closure due to flood damage. A mixed forest of Big Leaf Maple, Douglas Fir, Port Orford Cedar, and oak woodland shades the creekside campsites, providing habitat for diverse wildlife including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. The site is located directly off Highway 299, about 4 miles west of Willow Creek and roughly 32 miles east of Arcata. Willow Creek is known as the Bigfoot capital of the world, and the nearby Trinity River offers fishing for migratory salmon and steelhead, swimming, and whitewater rafting. The area provides additional opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. This is a group campground accommodating up to 25 people. Facilities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but no potable water is available. Trailer space is limited to 20 feet due to turnaround constraints. Cell service is spotty. The site is accessible by reservation through Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Arcata, drive approximately 32 miles east on Highway 299. The campground is located 4 miles west of Willow Creek, directly off Highway 299. From Redding, travel approximately 105 miles west on Highway 299.