Open Ridge-Black Diamond (FR 18N02) in CA

Road corridorMendocino NF, Grindstone Ranger District

25 mi from Willows

19 mi off I-5 (straight line)

Maps 2,987 ft

Camping permission not confirmed

Miles 0–11.1 and 15.9–21.6 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.

Motor-vehicle season 4/16–11/14Stay limit: 14 days · within 30 days · then move 1 mi · No more than 28 days in any 12 months

VerizonNONE

AT&TNONE

T-MobileNONE

StarlinkGOOD

Difficult

All 23.4 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, dirt the whole way.
Near Triplet Butte.
Estimated climb: 6,300 ft over 23.4 miles through 24 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 16% and pitches to 33%.
Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~150 ft on the downhill side.
Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
Water crossings 21.3 and 21.4 miles along the road.

Secluded

Visitors may camp in the same location outside a one-mile radius of a developed recreation site for 14 days within any 30-day period but no more than 28 cumulative days in any 12-month period.
Camping rules

October normals 53–71°F, 1.8″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Open Ridge-Black Diamond (FR 18N02) in CA -- Camping Rules & Access