Established Camping
Lindsey Lake Campground
About
National Forest
Tahoe National Forest
Primitive campground, with 12 campsites, vault toilets, and no trash service Located near Lindsey Lake, 12 miles north of Highway 20. Great hiking, fishing and swimming. Low clearance vehicles are not advised.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
An instant favorite
This campground is exactly what I want in a campsite. I'm a little torn writing this review, because I'm not sure I want to tell people about my favorite spot. It can be little rough to get to requiring careful driving even on the paved road (big potholes!), but that just serves to help feel remote.
There are 12 official campgrounds near the lake. They are first come first serve and are often full by Thursday afternoon. The surrounding area is National Forest Land, though, so you can dispersed camp for free.
If you are prepared to bury your waste and leave no trace, they're probably better camping spots. You can be out of ear and eye shot of any other person, spread out, and really take a great hammock nap. In the morning, you can take the short hike or drive up to the lake to go for a swim or kayak or whatever you want to do.
Many of the "unimproved" spots are quite improved indeed. If you get lucky, you may find downed trees that have seats carved into them in front of beautifully made stone campfire rings. Campfires are illegal in California for much of the year, please be responsible and don't use the perfect rings available to you.
Rustic and remote
There are only a few campsites here, 12, I think, and a rough road getting (SUV or truck recommended) into the campground. Once you reach camp, you’ll be rewarded with serene and beautiful surroundings. Lots of lakes and hiking in the area. Mosquitos can be a problem so come prepared. Vault toilet. No trash service, no piped water. There are picnic tables and fire rings.
Location
Lindsey Lake Campground is located in California
Directions
From Nevada City: Take Hwy 20 east toward Truckee for approximately 20 miles. Turn left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). Continue on that road for 6 miles and turn right on Forest Road 17. Continue on for 2 miles. Take left fork for 2 miles. This road is a very rough, narrow road until reaching the campground. From I-80: Take Hwy 20 cutoff west toward Nevada City for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). Continue on that road for 6 miles and turn right on Forest Road 17. Continue on for 2 miles. Take left fork for 2 miles. This road is a very rough, narrow road until reaching the campground.
Coordinates
39.4130007 N
120.64300028 W