Mill Valley Campground sits in Mendocino National Forest's OHV country, where mixed conifers meet chaparral and dirt bike trails thread through the hills. The 15-site campground caters to off-highway vehicle enthusiasts looking for a base camp with direct trail access, though the forest setting and reasonable fees make it workable for anyone seeking a no-frills spot in the backcountry.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 15
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📋Reservations
- First-Come, First-Served
- 📍GPS
- 39.31834, -122.70617
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- N/A
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Fifteen sites with the basics: picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets scattered through mixed coniferous forest. The campground handles trailers up to 24 feet, and an OHV trail runs directly through camp — handy for riders, less ideal if you're seeking solitude. The forest service keeps trash pickup going during summer months, but you're packing it out the rest of the year.
What to Know
First-come, first-served only. Show up, claim a site, then pay by scanning a QR code with the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app before you arrive — cell service gets sketchy in these parts. The campground serves as a hub for the forest service's OHV trail system, built with California's Green Sticker funds, so expect engine noise during peak riding seasons.
All the standard OHV regulations apply: spark arresters required, sound limits at 96 decibels, helmets mandatory, and proper registration needed. The Stonyford Work Center at (530) 963-3128 has current trail conditions and closure information for the Grindstone District.
Nearby
Letts Lake and Big Springs Picnic Area sit one mile south — worth the short trip for a different perspective on the forest. The surrounding network of forest service roads and OHV trails sprawls through the hills, offering everything from easy cruising to technical single track depending on your machine and skill level.