Searching for the best camping near Black Butte Lake, CA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Black Butte Lake. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
Orland Buttes
21 min away
Stony Gorge Reservoir - USBR
26 min away
"As you pass thru a off road vehicle area on way up to campsite.
Lett's Lake was closed due to a prior fire. But the upside is that the Forrest service has provided free stacks of wood."
"Easy to reach, great in beauty backpacking trip. Wildflowers are plentiful in the spring.
Hike into campsites right on Cache Creek. "
"Sites are dispersed, vault toilet, no trash. Trickling creek with frogs in the evening. It was windy over night and the road back out was blocked by a tree."
"Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands."
"We went in late may and the weather was perfect for traditional camping activities. The mosquitoes were out in full force so bug spray is a must."
LegendSuper cool place to camp in Sequoia National Park. I drove in from the south and passed quite a few full campgrounds before I finally made it to Sunset and scored a spot that I thought was great- up high and dry, no neighbors, a nearby source of downed wood. It looks like the Park Service stays busy downing dead/dying trees, however there were lots of trees providing cover. The closest neighbors were even able to hammock (though I was not due to lack of trees). When noisy neighbors moved in at the adjoining site, I was able to move to a primo site the next day. The new site (52, I think) was right on the edge of the granite slope with an amazing view of the sunset (hence the name of the campground). All sites had the usual amenities of picnic table and fire ring (and the mandatory must use bear boxes), but you need to take a look around for a site that is level and has adequate space between the fire pit and the tent site (mine did not, so no fire for me). There is a visitor center across the road at Grant Grove Village with ranger station, grocery, post office, restaurant, gas station, and cabins. This is a good place to set up camp if you want to see big trees; the big sequoia tree General Grant is in a sequoia grove just up the road (you could easily hike there from the campground).
GuideBeautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers. There is potable water close to the campsites. Very quiet during the week, it did get noisier on the weekends, but everyone settled down for the evening.
RangerWonderful spot. Sites were kinda small, but we we able to fit 2. -6 person tents and a 4 person in a row. Wasn’t windy when we got there in the morning, but that night the wind started and almost blew everything away. STAKE down, no matter the weather. Water was super warm, but gets icky in the summer, so definitely need to go early in the season.
TravelerThe first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands.
The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance. There is one stream crossing but it is minor.
TravelerArrived early Friday afternoon in August and there were only 3-4 spots occupied. We got our pick of spots without a reservation. Most spots offer plenty of shade and space between neighbors. Bugs were moderate, bring bug spray. Pit toilets were clean. All camps have a fire ring and picnic table and a few have brick ovens. This is close to the lake, but no direct lake access. Weather was pretty hot and humid until a few hours after dark. Of all the campgrounds on Lake Pillsbury, this one seems the most secluded with privacy and distance from neighbors. The road to get here is mostly dirt and pretty windy, 4WD recommended. This is a popular area for hunting and off roading, so be prepared for a lot of OHV noise and gunshots echoing through the valley. In the evening it sounded like there was a gun range on the other side of the lake, 100 gunshots per minute until after dark. I would give 5 stars except for the OHV and gunfire noise. But the best part, in the right season the elk herds come through the dry riverbed next to the camp. We saw a herd of 30+ elk and listened to them calling all evening and in the morning.
ScoutNice sites, trees for hammocks, bathrooms (no showers) w running water and toilets. Close to neighboring campsites but not too bad. Grove village is really close where they have firewood, grocery store, restaurant, shops, post office. Bugs in summer so don’t forget your bug spray! It’s bear country, so bear bins provided! Campsite is in the middle between King’s canyon and Sequoia National Park. Our site had a spot for 1 car, 2 tents and a hammock. Space looked shared with adjacent site.
TravelerThis campground is free!!! It has lots of vault toilets and trash cans, but there is no running water. There are some campsites that are private and some where you can bring a big group. There are fire pits with grills and picnic tables at all the sites. The lake is amazing for swimming!
LegendWe didn’t want to chance it! We tried but were unable to make same-day online reservations and no one answered the phone at 4 pm. It would have been a two-hour drive to get to this place from where we were but with all the wildfires in recent years in this part of California, many campgrounds have closed. The most recent review on The Dyrt was a year ago and we could not find any information on the web regarding the state of this campground. After securing alternate arrangements, we visited to see what it looked like. The grass was already dry (but had recently been mowed), and the bathroom/shower was a little dated, but otherwise, it looked like a very nice place to camp. All sites were paved and looked flat, although several were closed. Each site had a picnic table but no hookups. We rarely see propane canister recycling so this was a bonus!
Hopefully, this updated review will help other campers (at least before the 2022 fire season) if they are looking for a place to camp.
LegendEasy to reach, great in beauty backpacking trip. Wildflowers are plentiful in the spring.
Hike into campsites right on Cache Creek. If flow allows you can continue on after fording the creek into the Cache Creek WIlderness are where there is a resident herd of elk.
No services. Water can be obtined from the creek but needs filtering. Campsites are delineated and many have rock fire rings. I have not fished here but have seen many others coming in to do just that. Have seen eagles in the canyon everytime I have hiked in.
Tent camping near Black Butte Lake in California offers a serene escape into nature, with various campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Black Butte Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Black Butte Lake is Sugarfoot Campground with a 2-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Black Butte Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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