South Cow Mountain BLM Land | Informal Campsite

July 11th, 2023 by garrettallen22

Was hoping to find a spot before this, but nothing on the way up, so ended here, barely made it up in our older 22ft Toyota RV. Brakes started smoking on the way down and had to take it super slow. Would definitely not go up in an RV or anything heavy. Roads suck. Super dusty at the top. But it was very quiet and the stars were popping. But unless you have a small rig with awesome brakes, I wouldn't even think about it. The way down was stressful.

April 27th, 2022 by dreedy650

Road sucks , especially for travel trailer…(not recommended at all btw) no cell coverage. Oh area pretty beaten down and very rough road in. Don’t recommend it honestly unless you want a adventure .

April 19th, 2022 by lambsundries

Most of the road is paved, but narrow and steep. a little rougher and narrower when it becomes dirt. slow going, but not difficult.
OHV trails are closed. Call 7074684000 to find out if they're open.
Very quiet and alone here tonight.

April 24th, 2021 by sabbat1011

Fun (dirt) road to get to the camp, nice location but half the bathrooms were locked and the tables and pits are chained off from vehicles, so limited spots to park for vans. But there were several others also camping; primarily off-road and atv riders. Decent service AT&T and T-Mobile.

November 2nd, 2015 by myconasc

Free camping anywhere on BLM land in South Cow Mountain National Forest. We followed directions from BLM website http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah/cowmtn.html. And we went towards the Red Mountain Campground, it seemed to be the closest to Highway 101, about 40 mins off the highway. Exit in Ukiah at Talmage and head east on Talmage Rd. Turn right on Old River Rd. at the City of 10,000 Buddhas, Buddhist monastery. Then turn left on Mill Creek Rd. And go 5 miles until you reach the National Forest. Do not stop to camp before the BLM land AS THERE ARE NO TRESPASSING SIGNS EVERYWHERE AND IT SMELLED SKUNKY.. It is a climb and a bumpy ride. Would not suggest taking a big RV but it's possible.. We camped at the unloading zone as soon as you get in the BLM land. There are parking spots and a pit toilet. It was quiet but it was raining lightly in early November, in other seasons it could be busy and loud with off-road vehicles. There are 10 campsites another 3 miles up the gravel rd that are developed, but you can camp anywhere for free in the forest, you just can't have fires without a permit. Check the website for other developed campgrounds and details.