Penny Pines Campground
Closed — Currently closed due to wet weather as of December 20, 2025. The closure will be lifted after 48 consecutive hours with no measurable precipitation. The campground typically operates seasonally but is subject to weather-related closures to protect trail systems and soil conditions.
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
Located approximately 10 miles from Upper Lake on County Road 301 (Elk Mountain Road), Penny Pines Campground offers 10 campsites set among pines and oaks in the Mendocino National Forest. The campground has been rebuilt after previous fires and now provides a shaded retreat for campers. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and pedestal grill. Campers are welcome to gather downed wood for campfires with a valid campfire permit. The campground serves as a popular base camp for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, providing direct access to the extensive Upper Lake OHV trail system with over 135 miles of trails ranging from novice to advanced difficulty. The facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations available. Rangers regularly patrol the area to verify payment compliance. Basic amenities include vault toilets, but visitors must bring their own water and pack out all trash as these services are not provided. The campground is accessible via a drive up tight switchbacks through a previous fire corridor. Access and the road can be challenging, particularly during wet weather when the area is subject to closure.
Directions
From Upper Lake, travel approximately 10 miles on County Road 301 (also known as Forest Road M1 or Elk Mountain Road). The route includes tight switchbacks through a previous fire corridor.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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 | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.mendopao@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (707) 275-2361 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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