Camping options near Davis Creek, California offer access to diverse landscapes at elevations above 5,000 feet where temperature fluctuations occur regardless of season. Located in the northeastern corner of California, this region features seasonal streams, volcanic formations, and significant wildlife habitat across Modoc National Forest lands. Forest Service roads connect most campgrounds to public land recreation areas.
What to do
Obsidian collecting: Visitors staying at Plum Valley Campground can access nearby collection areas with proper permits. "Lots to do nearby mostly obsidian collection and fishing. Make sure if you are wanting to collect you get a free permit in town before heading out," advises camper Samantha T.
Wildlife observation: The area near Goose Lake State Recreation Area provides habitat for diverse bird species and mammals. "Saw two deer and a ton of quail. Easy to pull in and out. Very peaceful," notes Michelle H. The recreation area borders Oregon and California state lines.
Mountain hiking: Trails in the Warner Mountains accessible from Fee Reservoir Campground offer remote backcountry experiences. "There is a lot of BLM boondocking activity in this area so it's nice to have an actual campground... take into consideration the vast number of hiking trails and off circuit lakes to explore," mentions reviewer Allison W.
What campers like
Creek sounds: The running water at Plum Valley provides natural white noise that enhances sleep quality. "Campground is in the shade which is great in the summer and has a creek running through," shares Samantha T. Another camper notes they "Enjoyed the sound of the river while camping."
Solitude and quiet: Stough Reservoir Campground offers peaceful camping without crowds. "I swung thru this camp on a previous ride, and remembered it fondly... No cell service solitude with the high-passing jets as my only company," explains Greg B., highlighting the remote nature of this location.
Dark night skies: Minimal light pollution throughout the region creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "Dark skies and no worries," notes Laurie W., describing the night views from campsites at higher elevations where visibility extends across multiple mountain ranges on clear nights.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating unpaved roads. "The road can be a little rough to the campground with some deep ruts. We were able to pull our 19 foot camper up the road and into the campground not sure if we would try with anything larger," warns a Plum Valley camper.
Seasonal closures: Snow can affect campground access well into late spring. "We tried to get to this campground but were blocked by too much snow in the road. Other than the snow the road was in good condition," reports Laura M. about Cedar Pass Campground in mid-May.
Limited services: Most campgrounds provide only basic amenities. "Nice clean campground... Has 2 Separate Men & Women outhouse. Didn't see any trash cans," notes Danny C. about facilities at Plum Valley. Pack out all trash and bring sufficient supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Children can safely wade in shallow creek areas during summer months. "The creek runs right through the campground and some of the sites are just right on the water," notes Laura M. about Cedar Pass Campground, making it ideal for water play during hot summer days.
Wildlife education: Use wildlife sightings as learning opportunities. "Lots of FS roads to explorer here," mentions Patricia N. about Big Sage Campground, where families can create scavenger hunts for animal tracks or plant identification along forest trails.
Weather preparation: Pack clothing layers for significant day-to-night temperature swings. "This campground is HIGH up in the mountains (over 5,000 feet) so remember sunscreen, water, and the fact that it's going to get plenty cold at night regardless of the season," advises Allison W. about Fee Reservoir Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have specific RV length limitations. "We pulled in a 16ft camp trailer with no problem. Plenty of camp sites to choose from. There are a lot of trees to navigate with larger trailers. 19 ft trailer may be the max," reports Gary E. about Plum Valley Campground.
Dump stations: Plan for limited waste disposal options. Sully's RV Park in Alturas offers full hookups and dump facilities. "This is not a high-end RV park. It is small (only 5 FHU sites)... but the RV sites are level, showers/bathrooms are clean, they have good laundry facilities," explains Rich J.
Leveling equipment: Bring blocks and leveling tools for uneven sites. "Campsites have very little privacy, but there are bathrooms, amenities, nice day-use area, pet exercise area, etc," notes Kelly N., indicating the tradeoff between convenience and natural setting at established campgrounds.
