campgrounds.fyiIndependent · federal campgrounds · no paid placements
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USFSMendocino National Forest · California

Sugar Spring Campground

North side of Thomes Creek.
Sites0all reservable
Elev.5,541ft
Comf.May-Oct6 months
Max rigtents
Electricnonesites
From Sacramento3h23real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27

At 5,541 ft, Sugar Spring Campground has a 6-month comfortable window (May-Oct). Winter nights average around 25°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. Within about 4 miles: 2 peaks, lake or river access.

The campground at a glance

01 · CHARACTER
QuietCoolRoomyShadeRV-fitReserv.

Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.

When to go

02 · CLIMATE
JFMAMJJASOND
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Jul
May-Oct
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
94%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
Jun 13
Last spring frost; first fall frost Oct 7.
53°F
Average July low. Bring a fleece.

Getting there

03 · ACCESS
01
Sacramento
152 mi
3h23
02
San Francisco
190 mi
4h13
03
Fresno
357 mi
7h56
04
Los Angeles
620 mi
13h47
05
San Diego
765 mi
17h00
By drive time
Sacramento · 3h23San Francisco · 4h13Fresno · 7h56Los Angeles · 13h47San Diego · 17h00Camp

What's within four miles

05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER

Trails & Peaks

Trail segments
5
Peaks
2

Water & Access

Lake / river access
yes
Method

We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.

Check availability on Recreation.gov →