Upper Lake Recreation Area

The Upper Lake Ranger District's OHV area (south) offers more than 135 miles of system trails and roads traversing through beautiful scenery and challenging terrain.

The riding area varies in elevation from 1,600 feet at Middle Creek Campground/staging area, to more than 4,500 feet at Hull Mountain to the north. The trails range in degree of difficulty from novice to advanced.

Because of the nature of the topography on the Upper Lake District, Middle Creek Campground is recommended for families with children or beginning riders so they can enjoy the "play area," while adults or intermediate/advanced riders can access the trails out of the East Fork of Middle Creek.

If you seek a family riding experience with easy access to all trails ranging in difficulty level from novice to advanced, Penny Pines or Deer Valley Campgrounds are much more desirable.

The basin is closed annually from May 18 through September 8 to OHV use. During this closure, you are welcome to truck your bikes out of the basin and ride the trails (north). There are about 33 miles of trail. Many of the trails in this area are 4WD trails.

It is prohibited to operate or use a vehicle (two-wheel, three-wheel, or four-wheel) off a forest developed road in this area. (36 CFR 261.56).

It is prohibited to use any two-wheel, three-wheel, or four-wheel vehicle not meeting California Vehicle Code (Sections 360 and 4000 (a) CVC) for highway operation on forest-developed roads in the above described area. (36 CFR 261.54a).

The boundary runs generally north from Scott Dam along Road 20N01 to Coyote Rock, then easterly along the southern base of Boardman Ridge to Big Squaw Valley, then southwest to the U.S. Forest Service Summer Home Tract, then southeast to Thistle Glade, then westerly to Rice Fork Summer Homes, then southwest to Split Rock, then northeast to Scott Dam.