Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River BLM site is a hiker's and fisher's paradise, offering two distinct areas in roadless locations. The one at Red Mountain is upslope several hundred yards from the Red Mountain Road Access. You also can get off the Cahto Peak Road turnoff for the 2.4-mile hike to Cahto Peak. The sites are day-use only, and fishing is also available in the area. The dirt road is best for four-wheel drive access or old-fashioned bushwhacking. RVers can find accommodations nearby at several parks that are from 10 to 20 minutes away. If you're looking for a true wilderness hiking experience, Fork & South Fork Eel River is tough to beat.
Quick Facts About RVing in Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River
• RV Friendly: No, day-use only sites and located several miles from RV-friendly road surfaces • Max RV Length: Not allowed • Camping Type: No camping • Reservations: No reservation required • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty to none, depending on location and weather • Pets: Allowed, but only when leashed • Roads: Unpaved access roads • Best Season: Late spring or fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• The site is free and uncrowded. • It attracts core hikers and fishers, not tourists. • Steelhead and salmon waters are especially appealing to fishers. • The location is a natural stop along US-101. • RV parks and state camping sites are close by.
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Shakota Trail
The Shakota Trail is a scenic hiking and mountain biking trail with views of rolling hills and Lake Mendocino. Hikers and bikers who take the northbound route of the course will find a picnic area at the end of the path.
Length: 5.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Mendocino Headlands Trail
Located within Mendocino Headlands State Park, the Mendocino Headlands Trail is an easy out-and-back trail with views of the rocky California coast.
Length: 4.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Ka Kahleh Trail
The Ka Kahleh Trail is a paved trail with few inclinations near Fort Bragg, California. This trail is especially popular with hikers who like bird-watching along the coastline.
Length: 4.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Perhaps the most popular activity in the middle and south forks of the Eel River is fishing, specifically for steelhead trout. Multiple surveys of the middle fork of the Eel River were conducted between 1966 and 1999 and found that this section of the river supports some of the best wild populations of steelhead trout in the U.S. As for the south fork of the river, it has been estimated that over half of California's coho salmon population is located in the waters.
If you would like to fish in the middle and south forks of the Eel River, be sure to access the river from the Red Mountain or Cahto Peak access areas only. Avoid fishing along other river areas as some sections, although they run along Highway 101, are private property.
Picnicking
Many picnic sites exist around the Eel River, such as the Glen Eden Day Use Area in Lakeport. This area includes picnic tables and public vault restrooms. Another picnic site is located within Lakeside County Park, a large park on Clear Lake. This park has multiple picnic tables, barbecue pits, a playground, and a boat launch ramp.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
For RV camping near the Eel River, check out Casper Beach RV Park, which has full hookups and offers free Wi-Fi to guests. This RV park also features excellent coast views and has access to a large beach. Another camping option is the Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort, which features full hookups, a pool, a hot tub, a playground, and a location within a redwood forest.
Developed Campgrounds
Redwoods River Resort is about 10 minutes away and offers the closest full-service RV park. Tent sites and cabins are available. Richardson Grove RV Park is 10 minutes away and offers the best privately operated location with open pull-throughs for big rigs. Benbow KOA Holiday is 15 minutes away and offers amenities like a pool, a hot tub, laundry, and an adjacent golf course. It also has full hookups at all RV sites. Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, 20 minutes away, is the best nearby public option with water and electric hookups. Seasonal closings mean you will want to check availability first. If you have a self-contained vehicle and are comfortable with dry camping, Richardson Grove State Park sits 10 minutes away and offers more than 160 sites.
Dispersed Camping
There is no dispersed camping at the BLM's Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River locations. Likewise, dispersed camping options are non-existent in the surrounding wilderness areas.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper van rentals are popular in this region because of their ease of maneuvering. • Travel Trailers: A travel trailer is feasible, but be very mindful of wet road conditions and tight turns. • Fifth Wheels: We recommend that folks with fifth wheel rentals stick to the main roads. If you have a fifth wheel, call ahead to any RV park to see if it's a good fit for your needs. • Class A Motorhomes: Big rig options in this vicinity are limited. Make sure you have a reservation at a park that permits them ahead of time because it can be a hunt otherwise. Stay to the main roads, too. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B vehicles are among the more feasible options. Consider parking and using a four-wheel drive or hiking to get to the Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River sites. • Class C Motorhomes: A properly outfitted Class C setup can be a good option.
Free Camping 
Consider checking out the Red Mountain Campground when looking for a Bureau of Land Management free camping option near the Eel River. This BLM RV camping area allows visitors to stay for up to 14 nights at a time, and it has access to vault toilets. Buckhorn Campground down the road is a similar option that has four first-come, first-served campsites with fire pits and picnic tables. To find additional camping areas, search online for "BLM camping near me."
RV Rentals Near Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River Plan your next adventure
Planning your Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River BLM trip
If you plan on staying at a BLM campground near the Eel River, know that you will likely not have access to any hookups, including hookups for electricity, water, and sewage. That being said, you should pack for your camping trip accordingly and bring plenty of containers with fresh water, battery or solar-operated equipment, and firewood and fire starters.
Although BLM camping does not come with many amenities, it does come with the experience of solitude. So, before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
The Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River BML sites are suited to committed hikers and fishers. Cell service is largely non-existent, even at many RV parks in the region, so you'd be wise to download maps for offline use on your phone before you venture forth. Avoid the area in the winter due to mudslide risks. Also, fire restrictions appear quickly during the summer, so monitor the alerts closely. Monitor current burn status for Mendocino County daily. Follow the local forecast hourly and pay close attention to all alerts. Look for posted alerts on signage in the area as well. Services are quite limited in this region. Nearby Leggett, for example, has one gas station and a single grocery store. RV dump stations and services only become common around Ukiah, which is 90 minutes south.
Leave No Trace 
Any time you visit a Bureau of Land Management campgrounds or recreation areas, like the Middle Fork and South Fork Eel River access points, be sure to pick up after yourself to help keep the land clean and safe for others. If you're staying at a Bureau of Land Management campground, pack what you bring in and watch your campfires closely to avoid wildfire outbreaks.
Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River Location
To access the Middle Fork and South Fork Eel River via the Red Mountain access unit, take Highway 101 to Piercy and then exit onto CA-271. From there, turn onto Red Mountain Road and follow this road to the marked access point. To reach the Cahto Peak access unit, take Highway 101 to Laytonville. At the northern end of town, turn west onto Branscomb Road and travel for about 2.5 miles. From there, turn right onto Cahto Peak Road and travel to the end of the road, where the access point will be.
Ready to visit Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River
• Morning: Set up your site at the RV park of your choice. Pack food and water for the upcoming hike before you head out. • Afternoon: Tighten your laces for a day of hiking or fishing. Have your cooler ready to go for lunch. • Evening: Observe Leave No Trace principles while heading back to your RV site for dinner.
Nearby Attractions
• Confusion Hill: Located 5 minutes away in Piercy, Confusion Hill is a gravity house. The alignment of the furnishings creates an illusion of broken physics. • Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree: No trip to California is complete without riding through one of the region's drive-thru trees. This one, 10 minutes away in Leggett, has a car-sized cut, so you will need a separate ride. • Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area: Another superb hiking area, Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area also has an RV park that accommodates rigs up to 27 feet. Located 20 minutes away, it features plenty of virgin and second-growth redwood trees. • Redwood National and State Parks: Situated two hours away, Redwood National Park is the go-to destination for seeing the oldest and biggest of California's most magnificent trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp on BLM land at the Middle Fork and South Fork Eel River? No, the BLM site itself offers no camping or RV parking options. It is day use only, so visitors need to vacate the area by sundown. Where can a large motorhome stay near here? Richardson Grove RV Park and Benbow KOA are the best options for RVers who are looking for pull-through sites that accommodate big rigs and have full hookups. If you plan to take a Class A motorhome through this region, plan ahead. Have your reservations in place so there's no guesswork. Is there parking for an RV at the trailheads? No, and it can be a challenge for even smaller RVs when it comes to accessing trailheads. The nearby access roads are dirt and can get potholed and sketchy, especially during the rainy season. If you intend to drive to the trailhead, take a four-wheel drive with excellent ground clearance. Is there drinking water or a dump station? The site offers no drinking water or dump station, and RV access is not allowed at the BLM locations. The good news is that there are several nearby RV parks that are accommodating. Is there cell service? Cell phone service is bad in this region, even along US-101. By the time you hit the trailheads, expect to have no cell service.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Your choice of RV rental is especially important in the region around Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River BLM sites. We suggest a camper van or Class B motorhome for the best maneuverability. Anyone interested in Class A motorhome rentals needs to plan very carefully. Towable RV rentals work well if you're mindful of the wet and tight road conditions. Regardless of the motorhome type you select, have a four-wheel drive available for visiting trailheads. The Middle Fork & South Fork Eel River BLM sites are great stops for RV campers, especially if you love to hike and fish, so start your search today!