Situated 30 miles east of Willits at the base of the Mendocino National Forest, Elk Creek provides access to varied terrain from 1,500 to 3,000 feet elevation. This northern California region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Most camping areas remain open from April through October with limited winter accessibility at lower elevations.
What to do
Fishing at Eel River: Located north of Covelo, Eel River Campground offers access to swimming holes and fishing spots. "Average pay site with pit toilets and picnic tables. 5 min walk to swimming hole under overpass on main road, across from country corner store with food, beer and supplies," notes one camper.
Boating at Cache Creek: Clear Lake Campground provides creek access for anglers and boaters. "Cute little store and boat rentals. Owners are super nice. Especially loved kayaking on the creek," reports one visitor. The campground sits adjacent to a wildlife preserve offering birdwatching opportunities.
Off-highway vehicle trails: Middle Creek Campground serves as a base for OHV enthusiasts. "This campground is dry and built primarily for HOV people cuz the Elk mountain area is very much a dirt bike and four-wheel Haven," explains one reviewer. The area includes maintained trails through the Mendocino National Forest.
What campers like
Spacious lakeside sites: Fuller Grove Group Campground at Lake Pillsbury offers large camping areas with water access. "It's a small loop with great options for multi-tent camping. Some of the sites far from the entrance and along the water are very nice with multiple pads and tables," writes one camper.
Natural serenity: During off-peak periods, Middle Creek provides peaceful surroundings. "Middle creek campground was as close as we could find to free camping in Upper Lake CA. You can hear the creek running along the camp, as well as the wild turkeys," explains a visitor who stayed during trail closures.
Amenities for extended stays: The Parkway RV Resort & Campground offers full-service facilities for travelers. "Beautiful sites and friendly staff. For $60 a night, I was a little annoyed that the showers were coin-operated," mentions one camper who gave the resort five stars despite this minor inconvenience.
What you should know
Limited water access: Many campgrounds have restricted water facilities. At Middle Creek, "It's got dropped toilets and it has potable water. Problem is that the spigots don't have any hose fittings, so you can't hook up," notes a camper.
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads may deteriorate seasonally. "Elk mountain road, especially the part leading up to the top of the mountain right as you leave the campground is an absolutely terrible road, it needs a lot of maintenance," warns a Middle Creek visitor.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At The Aurora RV Park & Marina, one camper reported: "Could not get onto the Wi-Fi with the password provided," though others noted functional internet access at other locations.
Variable campsite privacy: Site proximity varies between campgrounds. At Aurora RV Park, "The lakeside spots are very tight together-and require backing in. If your neighbor has a slider you are wall to wall," mentions one RVer.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly glamping options: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort features facilities specifically designed for children. "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool," shares a family visitor.
Budget-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer no-cost recreation. "The petting zoo, was also super cute and the animals seemed like they were well taken care of. The mini golf course was a blast, as well as the RC track," reports a family that visited Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort.
Beach access: For families seeking water activities, Fuller Grove provides sandy lakefront areas. "The campground beach is beautiful, definitely recommend some late-night stargazing," suggests a visitor, noting the area's minimal light pollution.
Tips from RVers
Convenient stopover locations: Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot serves as a practical overnight point. "We used Rolling Hills as a stop over on our voyage from Oregon to Arizona. We stayed one night. The park is CLEAN, Quiet, the sites level, The Park staff are helpful," writes an RVer.
Access considerations: The approaches to some glamping sites near Elk Creek require careful navigation. At the Narrows Lodge Resort, "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs) but the views are absolutely amazing," notes a visitor.
Hook-up placement: Check utility connection locations before parking. At the Parkway RV Resort, "We were in site A10 which we found a little difficult to connect the sewer hose without two hoses," reports one RVer who otherwise found the location suitable for their needs.
