Middle Creek Campground
Closed — Currently closed due to wet weather. The Forest Service implements closures when soils become saturated to prevent damage. Closures typically lift after two consecutive days 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
Middle Creek Campground is a 27-site facility in the Upper Lake Ranger District of Mendocino National Forest, designed primarily for OHV enthusiasts and families. The campground includes 18 single sites and 9 double sites, each with picnic tables, fire rings, and pedestal grills. An OHV staging area, equestrian staging area, and novice OHV area make this a popular basecamp for motorized recreation, with access to more than 135 miles of trails ranging from 1,600 feet to over 4,500 feet in elevation. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available. Facilities include vault toilets, a spring-fed water system, and trash service. Sites can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 30 feet, though there are no hookups or showers. The location is accessible via Elk Mountain Road (County Road 301), approximately 8 miles north of Upper Lake. While equestrian staging is available, overnight equestrian camping is not permitted.
Directions
Located 8 miles north of Upper Lake on County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1, also known as Elk Mountain Road).
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 30ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| sm.fs.mendopao@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (707) 275-2361 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!