Due to concerns with aquatic invasive species, all boats and flotation devices prior to entering Ruth Lake must be inspected. Loacations and cost info are available at 707-574-6332

Ruth Lake is a seven-mile long reservoir located in the southern portion of Trinity County. The reservoir was formed by the damming of the Mad River in 1962, and has served both as a functional supplier of water to Humboldt County and a recreational area for fisherman, boaters, water skiers and swimmers alike. The reservoir lies in calm, beautiful surroundings of hills covered by ponderosa pine and white fir. The reservoir sits at an elevation of 2,654 feet, which affords cool winters, warm summers, and amazing springs and falls. Off the beaten path, approximately 70 miles from Eureka, Ruth Lake can be especially appreciated for its rainbow trout, and bass fishing, offering a marina and two boat ramps for your convenience. All facilities are located on Mad River Road off of Highway 36.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

There is a 14-day limit for occupying a campground, and pets on leashes are permitted.

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 20′ 23.0028″ N

Longitude 123° 24′ 2.4084″ W

The Mad River Ranger District is located on Highway 36 approximately 50 miles east of Highway 101 and the Eureka/Arcata area and 100 miles west of Interstate 5 and the cities of Redding and Red Bluff. Traveling south for 20-30 miles on county roads brings you to the communities of Ruth and Zenia.

The Mad River Ranger Station is at an elevation of 2550 feet. The remainder of the district varies from 2000 to 6000 feet.

The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average precipitation in the area is 60" with the majority of the moisture falling between October and April. Snow is uncommon at elevations under 3000' but many areas on the district receive substantial snowfall.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 10′ 39.1584″ N

Longitude 123° 11′ 3.1344″ W

The Trinity River's headwaters begin in the rugged Trinity Alps, making it's way through the wilderness, settling into deep valleys, transitioning to spacious glides and inviting beaches until finally meeting up with the mighty Klamath River at Weitchpec.

The natural beauty has been one of the most popular sights for north coast river recreation. Scenic Highway 299 makes easy access to many points of interest. In the warm spring and summer months, inner tubers and rafters enjoy rides along the river. The river is legendary for its salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities. Access provides fishing opportunities by means of drift boat or walk-in riverside spots.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 55′ 13.5660″ N

Longitude 123° 36′ 47.7792″ W

Mill Creek lies at about 5,900 feet in elevation and encompasses 5 acres. The lake lies in a beautiful setting surrounded by willows, alders and manzanitas. Impressive steep granite cliffs hold the southeast portion of the lake.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Trail in the western side of the Trinity Alps Wilderness, takes off from trail 6E14 and goes around lower Mill Creek Lake. Fishing and camping opportunities. Beautiful scenery.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Overview

East Fork Group site is nestled along the East Fork of Willow creek in northern California’s vast Six Rivers National Forest. 

The campground sits under a canopy of Big Leaf Maple, Douglas Fir and Port Orford Cedar, less than 5 miles from the small mountain town of Willow Creek, known as the Bigfoot capital of the world.  

Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all close by in the popular Trinity River.

Recreation

Fishing, swimming and whitewater rafting are all available in the Trinity River. The area also provides opportunities for biking, hiking and horseback activities, as well as fishing for migratory salmon and steelhead trout. You could always head out in search of the elusive Bigfoot on the many Forest roads in the area. Stop by the Lower Trinity Ranger Districts office at 50 Hwy 96 in Willow Creek and pick up a Six Rivers Forest map and pick up some local knowledge from the front desk staff. 

Facilities

East Fork Group Site has vault style toilets available, picnic tables and fire rings. There is no water available in the campground so please bring plenty of drinking and cooking water.

Natural Features

The campground is along a small creek that is great for wading and and in a few spots swimming. It sits at a 680-foot elevation and provides several shady campsites about four miles west of the Trinity River. A forest of harwoods, Big Leaf Maple and conifers covers the campground, and stands of oak woodland dot the landscape, providing habitat for eight threatened and endangered species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.  

The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed “Redwood Highway,” parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park. From Willow Creek, turn north on highway 96 and drive the Bigfoot Highway up through the Hoopa Indian Reservation to the Klamath river corridor in Weitchpec where the Trinity river flows into the Klanmth river and then on down to the Pacific ocean.a

Nearby Attractions

In the nearby town of Willow Creek stop by and visit the Bigfoot museum. If you’re around the weekend of Labor day you can stop at the Veterans Park and enjoy their Bigfoot Daze celebration, watch the parade then go check out some local vendors at the park. If you’re interested in learning about some of the local tribes, drive into Hoopa and check out Hoopa Tribal Museum. 40 miles west there are many attractions along the Pacific Coast, from ocean fishing, walking along it’s many beaches or perhaps hunting the beautiful agates in a few local hotspots. Oh, and don’t foget about the majestic California Redwoods, Once you hit highway 101 you can go either north or south and see some of the coasts many wonders.

Directions

Approximately 32 miles east of Arcata and approximatley 105 miles west of Redding on Hwy 299, four miles west of Willow Creek

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 54′ 16.7400″ N

Longitude 123° 42′ 21.7980″ W

The Lower Trinity Ranger District is bisected by State Highway 299, the main travel route in Northwestern California to reach the Northcoast. Willow Creek is Approximately 100 miles west of Redding and 45 miles east of Eureka/Arcata. At one time, a major timber producing area, Willow Creek no longer supports a major manufacturing industry. Willow Creek however, is a recreation destination for sport fishing, including salmon and steelhead, kayakers, and river rafters who heavily use the Main Stem and South Fork of the Trinity River most of the year. The area is also famous for Bigfoot, achieving notoriety through the years as a hub for sightings. Hunting also is a big draw to the area with large deer and bear populations.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 55′ 8.0112″ N

Longitude 123° 39′ 4.0428″ W

The forested mountains, valleys and meadows of the Siskiyou Wilderness in Del Norte, Humboldt and Siskiyou counties of northwestern California offer vistas of incredible beauty, diverse scenery and limitless opportunities for solitude.

The Wilderness, named for the mountains that cross it, is administered by three national forests: Six Rivers, Klamath and Siskiyou.

Rain falling in the Siskiyou Wilderness (from 40″ on lower eastern slopes to 200″ on the high western slopes) drains into three watersheds: the Smith, Klamath, and Illinois Rivers. The Siskiyou Wilderness is unique in that some parts can be accessed year round in the lower elevations, providing opportunities for recreation not found elsewhere. July through mid-October is the best time to travel in the wilderness, although severe weather can occur in any month. Access to some trails may be restricted to summer months because of snow and/or seasonal road closures to prevent the spread of Port-Orford-cedar root disease. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 43′ 54.2568″ N

Longitude 123° 41′ 59.5284″ W

Sanger Lake, formed by glacial scour, encompasses 6 acres and is currently stocked with brook trout.

Sanger is stocked annually in July with fingerling trout, between 500 and 1000 fish each year.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 54′ 5.9688″ N

Longitude 123° 38′ 56.3028″ W