Deer Valley Campground
Federal campground in Mendocino National Forest
Location: Upper Lake, CA, CA
Price: From $6 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/deer-valley-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Affordable first-come, first-served camping at $6/night with plenty of shade among the trees and heavy-duty concrete picnic tables. Small 7-site campground offers a quiet, remote experience suitable for dry camping.
Wildlife alert: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Fisher, Gray Fox, Wild Turkey, and Western Pond Turtle present in the area
Insider tips for Deer Valley Campground: Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature for payment Arrive early as this is first-come, first-served only with limited 7 sites Bring a high-clearance or hardy vehicle — dirt road access, especially slippery when wet No water available — plan accordingly and expect vault toilets only
Skip Deer Valley Campground if: You need water hookups or full amenities. You have a low-clearance vehicle — dirt road conditions are rough. You're visiting during rainy season when dirt roads become muddy and slippery.
Best time to visit Deer Valley Campground: May-October — Official operating season per verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Penny Pines Campground (Upper Lake , CA), Letts Lake Campground (Stonyford, CA), Mill Valley Campground (Stonyford, CA), Pine Mountain Lookout (UPPER LAKE , CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Deer Valley Campground
Cell signal at Deer Valley Campground (Upper Lake, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryDownload Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature for payment
Arrive early as this is first-come, first-served only with limited 7 sites
Bring a high-clearance or hardy vehicle
dirt road access, especially slippery when wet
No water available
plan accordingly and expect vault toilets only
Official operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mendocino National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mendocino National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Deer Valley Campground cost per night?+
What season is Deer Valley Campground open?+
Does Deer Valley Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Deer Valley Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Deer Valley Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Deer Valley Campground?+
What season is Deer Valley Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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