Oak Flat Campground
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No potable water available on-site; campers must bring their own drinking water. OHV activity in the Lake Pillsbury basin is prohibited May 18 through September 8 for tule elk calving season.
Hydrologic Outlook issued December 29 at 9:26PM PST by NWS Eureka CA
ESFEKA A series of atmospheric rivers will bring an increased risk for urban and small stream flooding late this week and into this weekend. The first round of rain will arrive Wednesday night into Thursday and provide generally light to moderate rainfall amounts. Locally heavy rain is expected in the King Range. This initial period of rain will set the stage for a more intense rainstorm expected to arrive Friday into Friday night. Current indications are for the heaviest rainfall to occur during the day on Friday into Friday night. The greatest risk for small stream flooding will occur during this time period and probably continue into Saturday after heavy rain has ended due to the lag in rainfall run-off. Road closures will be possible. At this point, the area of greatest concern is in southern Humboldt and northwest Mendocino counties. Small rivers, streams and creeks such as Elk river, Jacoby creek and Mattole river could exceed their banks and flood area roads. Southern Mendocino and Lake counties may also experience heavy rain and road flooding will be possible. Mainstem rivers will also likely rise sharply and will need to be monitored for possible flood stage exceedance. Be on the lookout for watches, advisories and warning as this next heavy rain event unfolds. Stay alert and remember to never attempt to drive through water covered roads. Water may be moving much faster than you think.
Wet weather trail closure in effect on Grindstone District
A wet weather closure is in effect for Stonyford OHV trails on the Grindstone Ranger District, as of 10am, Dec. 23. Trail closures go into effect when two inches of rainfall occur within a 24-hour period or when the soils are saturated.
Wet weather trail closure in effect on Upper Lake District
A wet weather closure will go in effect for OHV trails on the Upper Lake Ranger District, as of 8am on Dec. 20, 2025. Trail closures go into effect when two inches of rainfall occur within a 24-hour period or when the soils are saturated.
Stonyford Office Hours Changing
The Stonyford Office's visitor services hours are changing beginning Jan. 5, 2026. Starting next year, the office will be open from Monday-Friday and closed Saturday-Sunday. Office hours are 8:30-4pm with a lunch break 12-1pm.
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
Oak Flat Campground is a developed campground in Mendocino National Forest near Lake Pillsbury, offering 12 campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Located approximately 37 miles from Ukiah via US 101, Highway 20, and Potter Valley-Lake Pillsbury Road, the campground is accessible from both the Potter Valley and Upper Lake directions. The site can accommodate trailers from 30 to 50 feet, making it suitable for larger RVs and trailers. Unlike most Lake Pillsbury area campgrounds that close seasonally, Oak Flat operates year-round with a first-come, first-served system. The campground features vault toilets but does not have potable water available on-site, so campers must bring their own drinking water. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m., check-out is 11:00 a.m., and quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The campground provides access to OHV trail riding, OHV camping, fishing at Lake Pillsbury, and motorized boating. Note that OHV activity in the Lake Pillsbury basin is prohibited annually from May 18 to September 8 for tule elk calving season. The area offers opportunities to explore the surrounding national forest and enjoy the natural beauty of the North Coast mountains.
Directions
From Ukiah: Drive 6 miles north on US 101, then 5 miles east on California Highway 20, then 26 miles northwest on County Road 240 (Potter Valley-Lake Pillsbury Road). From Upper Lake: Drive 31 miles north on County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1).
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | $5 - $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 50ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 934-3316 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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