Eel River Campground

Closed — Closed for the season effective October 30. Reopens mid-May. The campground is seasonally closed mid-November to April every year and is not maintained through winter.

About

Located adjacent to the Eel River Work Center in Mendocino National Forest, Eel River Campground offers 15 sites in a scenic setting dominated by oak trees, including live oaks, valley oaks, and black oaks, along with madrone, buckeye, and pine. The campground features two pull-through sites (sites 7 and 10) that can accommodate larger trailers, though narrow roads with tight turns limit trailer length to 24 feet. A steep trail near site 7 leads down to the confluence of the National Wild and Scenic Black Butte River and the Middle Fork Eel River, providing access for swimming during summer months. The campground provides vault toilets and seasonal water service, though water is shut off in late fall and winter due to freezing temperatures. Campers should note that poison oak is present in the campground. After heavy snowmelt, the river can have strong currents, cold water, and sudden water level changes, so life vests are recommended. The facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis with sites costing $8 per night. Check-in is at 2:00 p.m., check-out at 11:00 a.m., and quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Directions

From Highway 101, 12 miles north of Willits, turn right on Highway 162 to Covelo. One and a half miles north of Covelo, turn right on Highway 162 East and continue 11 miles to the Eel River Work Center.

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