Boggs Demonstration Forest 

UPDATED FOREST INFORMATION AS OF 09-14-2020: CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit is announcing the closure of the Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest to vehicle access and the closure of the Calso Camp Campground. These closures are due to the extreme resource draw down from wildfires across the state, including large fires in the Unit, and to limit potential ignition sources from the Forest. Non-motorized access to roads and trails remains open via the main parking area next to the forest headquarters.

The State of California recognizes the importance of outdoor activities and exercise during this challenging time of COVID-19. As such, CAL FIRE Demonstration State Forest staff are working with local officials on a regionally-driven approach to increase access to camping and recreational opportunities.

While stay-at-home orders may be modified, it does not mean things are going back to normal. It is critical that Californians continue to stay close to home, practice physical distancing, and avoid congregating with others outside their immediate household to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, CAL FIRE is asking that visitors and campers at Demonstration State Forests adhere to the following guidelines to keep you and our staff safe:

• Stay Clean:
  • Bring and use your own soap, disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, paper towels and toilet paper.
  • Bring plastic table cloths for picnic tables that can be disposed of or taken back home for washing.
• Pack out what you pack in:
  • Pack out all trash wherever possible to minimize the amount of trash staff must dispose of at the campsite, trail head, or other facilities.
• Practice Physical Distancing:
  • Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more
  • Do not gather in groups larger than currently recommended by the local county.
• Camp Safely
  • Only one household should occupy each campsite.
  • Only ONE passenger vehicle will be allowed per campsite.
  • No more than SIX people may occupy a campsite.
  • Group campsites remain closed.
• Stay Informed:
  • Visit CA GOV for the latest information on COVID-19.
  • Check the local city and county reopening guidelines for additional regulations and safety procedures.
  • When arriving at a Demonstration State Forest for camping or other recreation activities, be sure to follow any posted signs or verbal direction from CAL FIRE staff.

Lake County COVID-19 Information: http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus.htm 

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Established: 1949
Area: 3493 acres
Elevation: 2400 - 3750 ft.
Precipitation: 71 inches per year
Temperature: Max: 100 F - Min: 13 F

CAL FIRE acquired this forest from a private landowner in 1949. At that time, most of the merchantable timber on the Forest had already been harvested. Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest is located in southern Lake County, seven miles northwest of Middletown and eight miles south of Clear Lake. It lies approximately 50 miles inland from the Pacific shoreline and 75 air miles north of San Francisco. The Forest consists of gently rolling terrain bordered by two mountain peaks, one at the north end and one at the south end. Geologically, Boggs Mountain is complex, with various types of volcanic rock exposed over much of its nearly 3,500 acres.

In September of 2015, the Valley Fire burned through 99% of the property killing roughly 80% of the mature trees and 95% of the understory regeneration. Reforestation efforts have consisted of forest-wide salvage logging operations to recover the value of the damaged timber. Though most of the trees were killed in the fire, the structural integrity of the wood remained, and the trees were cut and hauled to local sawmills to produce wood products. As part of the reforestation plan, 702,695 tree seedlings were planted across approximately 3,100 acres of the property. The planted species included Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Sugar Pine, Incense Cedar, and Giant Sequoia.

Vegetation at the lower elevations consists of chaparral with manzanita being most predominant. Upper elevations host a mixed conifer forest of mostly coast range Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and sugar pine. Hardwood species include canyon live oak, black oak, dogwood, and madrone.

Hunting is permitted under applicable State game laws and regulations. Pets are welcome but must be leashed and controlled. 

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What's New:

Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest (BMDSF) is currently open year-round for day use and the Calso Campground will open on June 29, 2020. Group campgrounds at Ridge Camp, Horse Camp, and Crawler Camp remain closed to camping and group gatherings. Day use hours are from sunrise to sunset. Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings within the 14 campsites at Calso Camp after June 29, 2020.  These sites will be open for a single household, not to exceed 6 people and 1 vehicle. Target shooting is prohibited on BMDSF. All vehicles must stay on mapped, numbered roads. No Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use is permitted on BMDSF. The complete trail system has not yet been reestablished however Gail’s Trail from the main parking area to the Calso Camp is open for mixed-use. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding is permitted on numbered roads and Gail’s Trail. Sections of BMDSF will be subject to temporary closures. Please observe all posted signs regarding road and area closures.  Fireworks are prohibited on BMDSF.