A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

Oak Bottom Campground

Forest Service campground in Six Rivers National Forest, Siskiyou County, California. About 700 feet. 29.3 miles from Etna.

Managed by
Forest Service Six Rivers National Forest
Elevation
About 700 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
25 25 standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT OAK BOTTOM CAMPGROUND AT WHISKEYTOWN LAKE. FOR THAT SITE NEAR REDDING, CALL 530-359-2269

Open from mid-May through mid-October, this Oak Bottom Campground is on the Salmon River at Somes Bar, California. It is situated on a shaded and gently sloping hillside in the expansive Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests, far from highway noise and city distractions. NEW: Each reservable campsite now has its own bear-resistant food storage locker, as do most of the first-come first-served campsites. Campsite List calendar starts at the next available reservation dates.

Recreation

Located near California's Salmon River, the campground is popular with whitewater enthusiasts in the spring. Many challenging rapids ranging from class 3 to 5 are available. Swimming is also popular in the summer and numerous river access areas are a short drive or walk from the campground. In the fall, salmon and steelhead trout fishing in the nearby Klamath River is known to be some of the best in the state.

Facilities

The campground offers 25 single-family sites. Each site is equipped with a bear-resistant food storage locker, picnic table, and fire ring with grill. Some sites have vintage rock stoves as well. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A campground host may be available.

Natural Features

The campground loops around a forested hillside of mixed Douglas fir and hardwood forest at a 700-foot elevation. Large deciduous trees provide ample shading for multiple sites within the campground, and a variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The small town of Somes Bar is 2.5 miles from the campground. Propane, groceries, and tackle are available at a general store.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • swimming site
  • water sports
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Oak Bottom Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 18, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.