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State Park
Matterson Group Campground
Mendocino National Forest · Elk Creek, CA
Verify with the state park system
State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.
1 Group
Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
Managing agency
- Mendocino National Forest — official page
Park unit page with alerts and visitor information.
Verify by phone or mail
- Operator:530-963-3128
- Address:Stonyford Work Station, P.O. Box 160 · Elk Creek, CA · 95979-0160
About
Overview
Tucked away in the towering pines of the Mendocino National Forest, the Masterson Campground is perfect for your next big get-together. The large grassy meadows of the campground are surrounded by a dense blanket of forest, offering visitors an outdoor experience of tranquility and solitude.
Recreation
The campground's open meadow areas allow for group games and activities, and a large fire ring provides the perfect place for a nighttime campfire circle and s'mores session. Plaskett Lake, a short one-mile walk from the campground, offers a variety of trout for the fishing enthusiast, as well as canoeing and other non-motorized boating activities. Mendocino National Forest's 913,306 acres of mountains and canyons allow for a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, hunting, nature study and off-highway vehicle riding. Whether it's deer, birds, rabbits, chipmunks or perhaps the occasional bear, wildlife viewing is always a popular activity for visitors. The area is also an extremely popular destination during hunting season.
Facilities
Masterson offers traditional primitive camping with the added convenience of toilets and running water. The site can hold up to 75 guests and 25 vehicles comfortably.
Natural Features
The Mendocino National Forest, California's only national forest that is not crossed by a paved road, straddles the eastern spur of the Coastal Mountain Range in northwestern California, just a three-hour drive north of San Francisco and Sacramento. Sprinkled throughout the dense green forest are several lakes, offering visitors additional recreational opportunities against a stunning and secluded backdrop.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Plaskett Lake Campground is a family campground that can handle additional visitors for larger parties. The day use site at Plaskett Lake is a great place to spend the day. Plaskett Lake is also planted with trout.
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Amenities
Flush Toilets
Picnic Tables
Trash Service
Pet Policy
No pets allowed
Campground Rules
- No campfires allowed
Individual Sites (1)
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Matterson Group Campground

Valley View Mountain
California
13.1 mi3,156 ftgain
TrailExpert

Thomes Gorge Trail
California
7.6 mi2,277 ftgain
TrailDifficult

Forest Route 1N02, Howard Corral, and Rock Catcher
California
7.0 mi1,385 ftgain
TrailModerate

Howard Lake via Howard Corral Trail
California
6.9 mi1,791 ftgain
TrailDifficult

Traveler's Home Trail
California
3.1 mi1,010 ftgain
TrailModerate

Stony Gorge Reservoir
California
2.2 mi253 ftgain
TrailEasy
Hunt context
Hunting units around this campground
During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the California hunting page
Nearby Campgrounds
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