Penny Pines Campground
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Access road (CR 301/Elk Mountain Road) is passable with high clearance vehicle; a slide area narrows to one lane. No potable water available. Pack out all trash.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Prescribed burn at Red Bluff Recreation Area May 19-22
Fire personnel with the Mendocino National Forest’s Grindstone Ranger District are planning an interagency prescribed burn at the Red Bluff Recreation Area on May 19-22, pending favorable weather conditions and available resources. Firefighters will attempt up to 300 acres of understory burning…
Annual spray program at Chico Seed Orchard
The Chico Seed Orchard will soon begin its annual pest control treatments to protect its seven seed orchards. Throughout the season, the orchard will be closed to the public for 24 hours before and after each treatment. Signs will be posted at the gate of the orchard ahead of each treatment. Please…
M10 Road Impassable Due to Mudslides
M10 Road Impassable Due to Mudslides. The M10 road has an active construction zone to repair a major slide, located above Fouts Springs near Dixie Glade. Depending on construction progress, there can be periods where the road is impassable, has traffic control stops, or is passable in high…
Partial road closure 22N11 Road
A partial road closure is in place on the 22N11 Road in the Covelo Ranger District. Location of the closure is shown on the map. The closure is for public safety after a road failure in the area has made vehicle travel unsafe and at risk of collapse without warning under the weight of a vehicle.…
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 November 1 - February 29. Spring/summer hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. beginning March 1 - October 31. A closure is in effect outside of these hours.
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! Snow and ice can be expected at higher…
Developed campground stay limits
Developed campground camping stay limits are in effect across the Mendocino National Forest through October 12, 2027. Visitors may camp in the same developed recreation campground for 14 days within any 30-day period but no more than 28 cumulative days in any 12-month period.
Dispersed camping stay limits
Dispersed camping stay limits are in effect across the Mendocino National Forest through Oct.8, 2027. The stay limits apply to developed campgrounds and dispersed camping locations. Visitors may camp in the same location outside a one-mile radius of a developed recreation site for 14 days within…
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.
Cedar Camp Campground Closure
Cedar Camp Campground is closed for public safety. Closure is in effect through 6/18/26.
About
Penny Pines Campground is a small, primitive campground in the Upper Lake area of Mendocino National Forest. The 10 campsites are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and pedestal grills. Two vault toilets serve the campground, but no potable water is available and campers must pack out all trash. The campground provides direct access to the Upper Lake OHV trail system, making it a base camp for off-highway vehicle recreation. The surrounding forest has experienced significant fire activity in recent years, and post-fire hazards including landslides and hazard trees may be present in the area. Access is via County Road 301 (Elk Mountain Road) from Upper Lake. The road requires a high clearance vehicle and has a slide area that narrows to one lane. The campground operates first-come, first-served with on-site payment of $6/night via the Recreation.gov Scan and Pay mobile app or cash/check at the kiosk.
Directions
From Upper Lake, drive approximately 10 miles on County Road 301 (also known as Forest Road M1 or Elk Mountain Road). High clearance vehicle recommended.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $6 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (707) 275-2361 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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