Camping near Greenville, California involves navigating forest service roads through Plumas National Forest at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Most sites open between May and October due to snowpack, with peak season in July and August when daytime temperatures typically reach 75-85°F. Lake Almanor serves as the central recreation hub with several nearby campgrounds offering both water access and forest camping options.
What to do
Sailing and boating: Lake Almanor provides excellent conditions for water activities. "Our visit to Lake Almanor was amazing. My Dad brought his sail boat and the wind was perfect for sailing," notes Tammy H. about Rocky Point Campground.
Fishing for crawfish: Hallsted Campground offers unique fishing opportunities in slower water. "The river is warm and slow right there and it has crawfish. My boys caught a handful and had a great time!" reports Jennifer J.
Mountain biking: Paved roads at some campgrounds make for family-friendly riding. At Ponderosa Flat Campground, "Pave roads are great for kids for bike riding, scooters and skateboards," according to Matt D.
Swimming in river holes: Beyond lake swimming, look for granite formations. At Silver Lake Campground, "the highlight of camping here is the potholes. The river carved some unusual holes in the granite. great escape from the heat," shares Jim N.
What campers like
Camp hosts: Many campsites have dedicated hosts who maintain facilities and provide assistance. At Spanish Creek Campground, "Manny, the camp host, is great, he keeps a great area and can provide insight on hiking spots and other areas to visit around the area," says Lex N.
Clean facilities: Despite being remote, many campgrounds maintain good standards. "The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd ever seen. Basically zero smell," reports Jessica F. about Spanish Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Ponderosa Flat Campground and nearby sites offer animal sighting opportunities. At Cool Springs, Kurt C. notes, "Deer will come up to your campsite looking for snacks so a good photo opportunity."
Off-peak solitude: Visiting after Labor Day changes the experience significantly. At Rocky Point Campground, J R. explains, "We came after Labor Day when the spaces are first come first serve. We got a great campsite next to the restroom...The campground is not full and it is quiet this time of year."
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby rail lines that can disrupt sleep. At Spanish Creek, Jessica F. warns, "The trains were definitely loud in the night, because the rails cling to the sides of the canyon, and the wheels scrape against the rails on the curves."
Water levels: Reservoir levels fluctuate seasonally. "Lake Almanor is very low this time of year but it is an easy walk out to the water," notes J R. in September.
Snags in water: Butt Valley Reservoir requires caution for boaters. Patricia N. cautions, "There was plenty of water in the Reservoir and it could be okay for a boat but you have to look out for all the snags in the water, and there are a lot of them."
Google Maps issues: Some navigation apps route incorrectly. "Be aware that google maps will take you through private property so you need to look at the map to avoid that!" warns Jean about Spanish Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access: Look for gradual entry points for young swimmers. At Taylorsville County Park, "There is also a water access to go easing and a few deep spots for swimming," notes Karissa R.
Site separation: Some campgrounds offer better privacy between sites. Taylorsville County Park has "very nice and large spots for both Camper and Tent camping...and the trees separated the spots enough that groups can be separate or together," according to Karissa R.
Local food options: Some campgrounds have nearby stores for quick meals. Barbara S. mentions Taylorsville has "good burgers at the local market!"
Beach areas: Some lakefront areas have sandy or rocky beaches. At Spanish Creek, Erika B. describes, "The water is clean and inviting, the beach is wide and covered with shake rocks, and the views up the sides of the steep banks are beautiful!"
Tips from RVers
Site sizing: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Rocky Point Campground, J R. advises, "If your rig is over 30 ft you will have a more difficult time getting into spaces. The roads are narrow and don't leave a lot of room to maneuver."
Primitive camping costs: Even without hookups, expect to pay for campsites. "Priced at 30$ for dry camping only was pricy. Only vault toilets, but clean. Dump station but not included in camping fee," reports Dan M. about Rocky Point.
Slope considerations: Some sites require leveling equipment. At Rocky Point Campground, Alex notes, "It's packed pretty tight and we were on a slope but booked it again this year."
Hookup availability: Electric sites cost more but are limited. At Ponderosa Flat, Patricia N. explains, "It was $30 a night with no power, power sites are more expensive."
