Home > California > Penny Pines

Penny Pines

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Trail Map

Other Names

Elk Mountain, Mendocino National Forest, Upper Lake Ranger District, Lake Pillsbury, Deer Valley Camp, Lake Pillsbury Basin, Middle Creek, Potato Hill

Last Known Status

Open

This trail system has three main staging areas and caters to the more experienced rider who is looking for steeper and more challenging terrain. The Penny Pines and Deer Valley staging areas offer the best camping for access to 135 miles of challenging (many black diamond) trails.

Middlecreek staging area, to the south, has paved access, camping and a day use area with a pee-wee play area, dry river bed play area, and access to a handful of easier trails. Lake Pillsbury (to the north) offers great camping, lake access, and access to 33 miles of 4x4 trails, but is closed to OHVs from 5/18 - 9/8 annually.

Most trails in the area are marked and rated for difficulty. Drawbacks would be that the campsites fill up quickly on weekends, and there is not really any shade in the day use areas.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)	CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	Yes (50 inches)	has entrance gate or posts
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
ATVs	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches)
UTV & SXS	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches)
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Some Areas	permitted on designated forest service roads
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Some Areas	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on designated forest service roads
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only)
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	No
Trail Blazing	Some Areas	permitted in riverbed
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic	Dedicated Rangers/Officers Jeep/SUV Patrol

TERRAIN

Approx Size	32,000 acres (50 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	135
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	1600 to 4500 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose Dirt	Some
Hard Pack	Some
Sand	Little
Mud	None
Dust	Some
Rocks	Some
Trees	Many
Steep Hills	Many
Water Crossings	Some	many crossings just north of middle creek camp
Small Jumps	Some
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Some
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	Some
Roads	Some
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	Many
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	Some	(hazards not marked) Beware of cliffs. some deep water and cliffs
Novice	Little
Amateur	Some
Expert	Mostly
Comment	Most of the novice terrain is at Middle Creek Camp, northern areas can get very challenging.

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (N)	Lake Pillsbury Resort and Marina (707) 743-9935
Diesel	5-20 Miles (S)	Highway Quik Market (707) 275-0522
Water	On Site	Middle Creek Campground
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (N)	Lake Pillsbury Resort and Marina (707) 743-9935 has two RV sites available
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SW)	The Narrows Lodge Resort (707) 275-2718 or (800) 476-2776
Campground	On Site
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (S)	Highway Quik Market (707) 275-0522

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	Yes Tent: $8.00 RV: $8.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $2.00 Middle Creek Campground Fees (limit two vehicles per site)
Comment	Deer Valley and Penny Pines Campgrounds are $6/night, Oak Flat Campground is $10/night

RATINGS

Pros	many water crossings, swimming holes, paved entrance & campground, some nice bermed trails with many banked turns with brush tunnels
Cons	not enough camp sites, no shade in day use area, not enough moderate/easy terrain
Our Rating	Excellent
Recommended Stay	Full Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Upper Lake, CA

Address

Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485

Trail Map

From: Sacramento, CA
1) I-5 N to Williams
2) CA-20 W past Clearlake to town of Upperlake
3) At center of town turn right on Mendenhall Road (north) just after Treasure Cove Pizza
4) Follow signs to Middle Creek campground
5) Entrance on right to Middle Creek camping/staging area or...
6) Continue north on Elk Mountain Road 2 miles to Penny Pines staging area which also has camping.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info	Mendocino National Forest (707) 275-1430
Comment	Trail Hotline

Contact Info

Mendocino National Forest - Upper Lake Ranger District
10025 Elk Mountain Road
Upper Lake, CA 95485
(707) 275-2361
mailroom_r5_mendocino@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov