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Recreation Region: Mad River Ranger District

Mad River Campground

Current Conditions
No reservations. First-come, first-served. Drinking water may be available. Call Mad River District Office for updates.

The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping.; 14-day limit for occupying a campground. No reservations; first-come, first-served. Vault toilets. Drinking water may be available. Pets on leashes are permitted. Maximum trailer length of 22'.

General Information

Mad River Campground is located on banks of its namesake river, about two miles south of Ruth Lake in the thickly forested mountains of northern California under the shaded canopy of douglas-fir, maples, and manzanita. Riverfront campsites offer trails down to the river. 

5/19/25-9/8/25. Closed during winter months. 

Interagency Park Passes are honored at the Six Rivers National Forest:
Interagency Senior Pass: A lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the US, age 62 or older. There is a one-time $80 fee.
 
Interagency Access Pass: A lifetime pass free to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have a permanent disability, regardless of age.
 
Holders of the above passes receive a 50% discount on camping fees on the Six Rivers National Forest. The passes also cover access to and use of many other Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.
 
Obtain passes at National Forest or Grassland offices; or by mail through USGS—inquire at 1 (888) 275-8747 or online at fedrecpass@usgs.gov; or visit the USGS store at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.

Overnight Use:
Single Site: $12 per night
Additional Vehicle Fee: $5 per vehicle per night

$12 per night (includes 1 vehicle); $5 extra vehicle fee. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Pets on leashes are permitted. 

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 40.4035915

Longitude: -123.4671861

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Vault toilets.

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Drinking water may be available. Please call ahead to make sure. 

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Last updated May 28, 2026