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Established Camping

Medicine Lake Recreation Area

Medicine Lake Recreation Area is located near Tulelake in the Modoc National Forest. The terrain consists of forested areas and volcanic landscapes. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include Lava Beds National Monument and Glass Mountain, offering opportunities for exploration and sightseeing.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Modoc National Forest

Overview

The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.

Recreation

The Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. The adjacent Day Use Areas accommodate boating with a concrete boat ramp and dock. Swimming is available in a designated swimming area next to the Picnic Area. Hiking and mountain biking are available on trails originating in the Recreation Area. The longest of these trails is the trail up Little Mt Hoffman.

Facilities

The Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. The adjacent Day Use Areas accommodate boating with a concrete boat ramp and dock. Swimming is available in a designated swimming area next to the Picnic Area. Hiking and mountain biking are available on trails originating in the Recreation Area. The longest of these trails is the trail up Little Mt Hoffman.

Natural Features

Medicine Lake Recreation Area is nestled along Medicine Lake and mostly sheltered by mature lodgepole pine trees but can be windy at times. The Recreation Area lies adjacent to the Medicine Lake Lava Flow which is accessible by a short hike. The Glass Mtn. and Burnt Lava Flow Geologic Areas are located within a 15-minute drive.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby are a few other federal sites with interesting features. The Lava Beds National Monument is located within a half-hour drive and includes lava caves and tubes. The Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge is located within an hour's drive where many types of migratory waterfowl can be viewed.

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Location

Medicine Lake Recreation Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From McCloud go east on US Hwy 89 south for 16 miles to Forest Service Road 15/Harris Spring Rd. Turn left on Road 15 and go 4.4 miles to Forest Service Road 49/Medicine Lake Road. Follow the signs 27.5 miles to Medicine Lake. From Tulelake take US Hwy 139 south for 21 miles to Forest Service Road 97. Turn right on Road 97 and go 24 miles turning right on Road 49. Drive 2 more miles turning left into the entrance of Medicine Lake Recreation Area. Follow the signs to your final campground destination.

Address

MODOC NATIONAL FOREST DOUBLEHEAD RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE 49870 HIGHWAY 139
Tulelake, CA 96134

Coordinates

41.5858444 N
121.5855694 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2021

Beautiful lake but,

Camped and enjoyed lake. Dog swam but we were unaware of BLUE GREEN ALGAE. Our yellow lab died 1 week later. Watch out especially if you aren’t familiar with your surroundings.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2018

Sacred Quiet Lake

I visited in September of 2017, and it was not too crowded. It is unbelievably peaceful and quiet. Plenty of fallen wood to collect for fires, and by September it does get very cold at night - our water froze, and it was super cold in the tent. Very close to good caving at Lava Beds, and lots to explore in Modoc County.

SiteWe were at H.A. Hogue #33, but next time I would stay at #43 or #45
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Medicine Lake Recreation Area by Renee W., August 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Medicine Lake Recreation Area by Renee W., August 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Medicine Lake Recreation Area by Renee W., August 30, 2018
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?

    Camping at Medicine Lake Recreation Area can cost between $14.00 and $15.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?

    Medicine Lake Recreation Area allows vehicles up to 75 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Medicine Lake Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Medicine Lake Recreation Area. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Medicine Lake Recreation Area, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?

    There are 75 campsites at Medicine Lake Recreation Area and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts