Gold Lake 4x4 Campground

Overview

Gold Lake 4x4 campground in northeast Plumas County, CA lies at 6,400 feet in elevation within the Plumas National Forest. The mountains, forest and lake setting provide a picturesque landscape for relaxation, adventure and exploration. A popular location with access to the backcountry, visitors should carefully review what this facility provides. This campground is not a luxury destination and may not meet your comfort level. This is a rustic campground with no utilities, water, hookups, trash service, or restroom facilities. Campers must pack out all their sanitation and trash. Families may decide one of the other campgrounds nearby is better suited to meet their needs and expectations. Visitors staying at the 4x4 campground will be within the Lakes Basin Recreation Area that requires camping within developed campsites. For those seeking a more dispersed experience, campers must ensure they are well outside the boundaries of the recreation area. The Lakes Basin & Sierra Buttes Map illustrates where boundaries and forest roads are found. These maps are available at the USGS Store online or from Plumas National Forest Offices.

Recreation

Visitors often use this campground as a home base to enjoy water sports, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and a host of other activities.   The OHV access road continues beyond the campground and onto the adjacent Tahoe National Forest. From here, other roads lead north toward "A-Tree", LaPorte and Plumas Eureka State Park, southwest towards Downieville and Sierra City and south toward Packer Lake and Sardine Lakes. Make sure to take a suitable vehicle, a map, and extra food and water.

Facilities

A boulder strewn OHV road is the primary access to this campground. Experienced drivers that can self-extricate or make emergency repairs may be needed. Passenger or sport utility vehicles are not recommended. Alternatively, boat campers may access the campground from the boat launch facility on the east side of the lake. However, there are no boat facilities at the 4x4 campground. Boaters should be aware that strong, gusty afternoon winds are common and can hinder small watercraft. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and bear locker for food storage. Our bears love your food, toothpaste and scented lip balm more than you do. If you don't want to share your supplies, we recommend you use the bear locker. The popularity of this facility combined with a broken, unserviceable restroom have resulted in resource damage and unhealthy, unsafe conditions. The dilapidated restrooms are planned for removal this season. In an effort to keep this campground open, the Forest Service has enacted some temporary measures until a cost effective, technological improvement of restroom facilities that can handle extreme environmental conditions is found. These measures include making the campground reservation only to allow more administrative control. All campers must now arrive with a plan that addresses the safe removal of all solid human waste. This is best accomplished when using Waste Alleviating Gel Bags (WAG bags). These are readily available online or at sporting goods outlets. We understand this is not an ideal situation but we are asking the public's help in improving conditions at this campground.

Natural Features

As the Lakes Basin Recreation Area name implies, the region has many crystal clear alpine lakes to explore. Glacial carved granite peaks and ridges, sunrises and sunsets reflected in the waters over Gold Lake, the whisper of pines rustling in the wind or a glimpse of a shy doe will leave an indelible memory and entice you to return again and again. The region is rich in history that includes Native American use, gold discovery, westward migration, forestry, railroads, grazing, and agriculture. You may even find evidence of those that travelled here decades or centuries before you.

Nearby Attractions

Though in a remote location, Gold Lake 4X4 Campground is near several attractions worth visiting. Mills Peak Fire Lookout is manned during fire season and welcomes visitors.  Mills Peak Trail, a premier mountain bike trail, descends from the lookout towards the community of Graeagle. Pan for gold and explore the hard rock mining history or attend one of the other interpretive activities at Plumas Eureka State Park.  Try not to miss the spectacular views of and from the Sierra Buttes and its lookout. All aboard! Take a ride on the rails while checking out the Railroad Museum in Portola. The Reid Cattle Company can offer cowboys and cowgirls trail rides at the outlet of Gold Lake or from their Graeagle location.