Plaskett Meadows Campground in western Glenn County in California has officially reopened following a restoration work by the U.S. Forest Service.
Located along Forest Highway 7, the site had been closed due to damage sustained from the 2020 August Complex fire and subsequent winter storms.
According to a press release, staff from the Grindstone Ranger District led the recovery efforts, focusing on removing fallen trees, addressing safety hazards, and restoring basic infrastructure to make the campground safe and accessible for public use.
The restoration is part of the Forest Service’s broader commitment to improving outdoor recreation facilities affected by natural disasters.
As part of the rehabilitation, new fire rings, barriers, and signage have been installed throughout the campground.
While most campsites have been fully outfitted, Sites No. 7 and No. 18 currently lack picnic tables, though the Forest Service confirmed that new tables will be added in the near future.
In addition to physical improvements, the Mendocino National Forest has introduced a new digital payment system at several first come, first serve campgrounds, including Plaskett Meadows.
Campers can now use the scan and pay option available through recreation.gov, although traditional cash and check payments remain accepted.
This digital upgrade is aimed at simplifying the payment process and reducing the need for onsite fee collection infrastructure. It also aligns with the agency’s efforts to modernize its recreation services across California’s national forests.
Mendocino National Forest spans roughly 927,650 acres along the eastern spur of California’s North Coast Range, located about three hours north of both San Francisco and Sacramento.
Stretching 65 miles in length and 35 miles across, the forest features a diverse landscape of mountains, canyons, and foothills.
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, hunting, photography, nature study, and off-highway vehicle travel.
Hiking also offers a flexible way to experience the forest’s natural beauty. Trail maps are available at local ranger district offices to help match routes.