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Dirt bikers and trail riders after an affordable, no-frills weekday base. Pull-through sites handle larger rigs, spring conditions are the best the creek looks all year, and Upper Lake is 15 minutes south for supplies.
Price
$8 - $12/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$8 - $12/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Located 8 miles north of Upper Lake on County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1).
Dirt bikers and trail riders after an affordable, no-frills weekday base. Pull-through sites handle larger rigs, spring conditions are the best the creek looks all year, and Upper Lake is 15 minutes south for supplies.
Families or anyone counting on quiet evenings will run into problems. Motorbike rule violations are common, trash overflow is a recurring complaint, no potable water, no cell signal, and no reservations mean showing up and hoping.
Reference information about Middle Creek Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>OHV Staging Area, Equestrian Staging Area (no camping).</p>
The elevation is 1,518 ft. The campground, adjacent to an OHV staging area and Middle Creek, is partially open with a field-like setting. The trees are walnut, gray pine, and oak. The campground is a mecca for OHV activities including about 60 miles of trails. The campground has a dual personality in that during the week it should be comfortable for non-OHVrs, but on the weekend it takes on its OHV personality.
The parking aprons are paved. Two pull-throughs are parallel parking to interior road. Facilities Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Vaults: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 8 No. Threaded: 1 Water Sports None Hiking: OHV trails are abundant. Fishing: None Mendocino National Forest 159
The parking aprons are paved. Two pull-throughs are parallel parking to interior road.
In Upper Lake, CA, at intersection of State Rt. 20 and Main St., take Main St. north 0.2 miles to 2nd St. Turn right on 2nd St. and go 0.1 miles to first left (Middle Creek Rd.). Turn left and go 0.4 miles to Elk Mountain Rd. Turn right (north) onto Elk Mountain Rd. and go 7.7 miles to campground on right.
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Spring is the sweet spot. Daytime highs run 55–75°F, nights drop to 35–45°F, and the creek flows at its peak. Trails are open, meadow edges bloom, and the landscape feels alive before summer heat sets in. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Summer brings hot, dry conditions with lower water levels. Winter sees occasional rain and rare light snow, though the campground remains accessible. Fall offers moderate temperatures and golden light, though fire restrictions can linger into early autumn.
Spring is called the 'sweet spot': creek fullest, meadows bloom, trails open and pleasant weather.
Potable water is not available at this site.
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