336 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds around La Porte, California center on Little Grass Valley Reservoir, offering a mix of forest and waterfront settings in the northern Sierra Nevada. Running Deer, Wyandotte, Red Feather, and Little Beaver campgrounds provide established options with varying amenities. Sites typically accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several campgrounds featuring flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and boat access. The surrounding Plumas National Forest lands also support dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking more remote experiences away from developed sites.
The camping season in this region runs primarily from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months due to snow and freezing conditions. Several campgrounds including Wyandotte feature boat launches, dump stations, fish cleaning stations, and beaches for swimming. Roads to some sites like Red Feather can be challenging, requiring careful navigation even when towing trailers. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of the area, though the small town of La Porte offers a general store for basic supplies and firewood. "This campground is located on Little Grass Valley Reservoir near La Porte, CA. It is one of many campgrounds along the reservoir that includes a boat launch, dump station, fish cleaning station, bathrooms with flush toilets, and a beach for swimming in the reservoir," noted one visitor.
Water access represents a major draw for campers, with Little Grass Valley Reservoir providing opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating. The nearby town of La Porte has limited services but offers essential supplies through its general store, which also houses a pay phone for emergencies given the lack of cellular coverage. Campers report finding plenty of site availability even during peak season, though reservations are recommended for weekend visits. Public lands in the surrounding Plumas National Forest create opportunities for hiking and exploration beyond the campgrounds. A review mentioned, "The drive scenery was beautiful. You get to drive through some little cute towns," highlighting the scenic journey to the area that takes visitors through small mountain communities.
"Situated out in the Sierra Buttes in California. This bad boy was shown to me by my father. A place to really escape the busy city life, let alone people."
"Warning - this site requires a high clearance vehicle with good off road tires. Low profile tires and trucks modified for street use, you WILL destroy your vehicle."
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"My all Time favorite spot maybe because I grew up in the area and there are lots of wonderful hikes lakes and waterfalls. This park is nice well taken care of lots of redwood trees."
"Went to Wade's Lake in Plumas NF on July 5th & 6th. Easy to moderate climb; one from the trailhead at Jaimison Mine and the second to get up to Wade's."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $22 / night
Check Availability"I love this campground and this area of California. It is not directly situated on the Hwy, and abuts the Yuba River, which is clear and gorgeous and draws a lot of birds and wildlife."
"We were looking for a spot next to the Yuba River and found this gem. Only 17 campsites so it’s not crowded. It’s also away from any road noise."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Great spaces next to lake. No cell service. Lots of places to enjoy on the shoreline."
from $23 - $25 / night
Check Availability"This campground is located on Little Grass Valley Reservoir near La Porte, CA."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The hosts here in 2017 were quite nice, and the lake is lovely (it's a perfect swimming lake and should be pretty chill for kayakers as well)."
from $23 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Great walking trails group sites are great love it"
"With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir."
from $20 / night
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GuideAbsolutely fantastic lookout to stay anytime of year. Spent 8 yrs straight going for our anniversary. Got to know the rangers well enough that we spent Thanksgiving there in an awesome snow storm. Luckily we were able t0 drive up in our built rig. Snowshoeing wouldn't have been so pleasant. Hope to make it back someday. Feeling a lil home sick.
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!!
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!!
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!
ScoutSadly, these are just worker campsites currently. The road leading up had a LOT of construction, so may e once thats over?? 6 mos?
LegendThe campsites are on both sides of the forest service road. We were never able to locate site 1 so it must have been eliminated.
If you enjoy camping and OHV riding then this should be on your list of campgrounds to visit.
LegendDeanes campground was empty when we visited. There are sites that provide ample space and our 26’ toy hauler would fit in with no trouble.
Vault toilet was clean and most of the camp sites were well maintained.
Of the three campgrounds in this area, Deanes was my favorite.
LegendThis campground is situated between the creek and meadow. At 6100 feet it offers some relief from the valley heat.
When we visited there were three sites, 4-6, which were the nicest of all the sites.
Site 6 is close to the meadow and when we visited this campground there were two deer enjoying the tall grass in the meadow.
Site 5 is closest to the creek and the creek sounds are enjoyable and relaxing.
Site 4 is the largest of all the sites and site 3 is not only small but the road to access the site is in poor condition which makes access difficult.
ScoutWe stayed on a Tuesday night in July and we think there was only one other camper in the campground. We aren’t sure because we arrived at 10:00 pm and didn’t see anyone but then saw them the next morning while touring the entire campground. Paved pads that were somewhat level, concrete picnic tables that were pretty clean, clean bathrooms and showers that required tokens. Pretty nice overall with some campsites arranged for groups of campers while others had good spacing. We stayed in site 28. The fire pit was very tall(36”) and about 75% full of ashes but we did not have a campfire. Mid-July was pretty warm with a low at night of 72. Overall a nice campground that is on the hills and above the lake. Some sites have lake views.
Camping opportunities near La Porte, California center around a series of lakes and reservoirs at elevations between 5,000-6,000 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada. The area experiences warm summer days with cool evenings, typically with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s even during July and August. Most campgrounds in this region require navigation on gravel or dirt roads of varying quality.
Hiking from campsites: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access to alpine lakes. At Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground, "We hiked up to Jamison Lake, which was a good 3 miles each way starting from the campground" according to Luna F., who noted the perfect weather conditions in early June.
Off-road adventures: The Gold Lake 4x4 Campground requires high-clearance vehicles to access. Jake R. advises: "The trail in isn't very challenging, the first rock section is a good 'gatekeeper' if you will. My 4runner made it in fine, small lift and 33's." The payoff is worth it with exclusive lakeside campsites away from RV crowds.
Water activities: Kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities abound on the still waters of local reservoirs. Samantha V. from Gold Lake 4x4 Campground notes, "The lake is calmest in the early morning and at sunset, perfect for a SUP." Many campgrounds offer direct water access, though swimming areas are often rocky rather than sandy.
Quieter camping options: For those seeking peace away from busier areas, Indian Valley offers a more secluded experience. Kathy K. describes it as "beautiful and peaceful" and notes "Only 17 campsites so it's not crowded. It's also away from any road noise."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife including eagles and bears. At Wyandotte Campground, Haley C. observed that "half of the sites were closed due to nesting Bald Eagles," highlighting the conservation efforts in the area while noting "there was plenty of site availability" despite the closures.
Night sky experiences: With minimal light pollution, stargazing is exceptional. One Gold Lake 4x4 camper remarked on "the moonlight that night was insane! We had full shadows," describing the pristine dark sky experience that makes evening camping memorable.
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating unpaved, sometimes difficult roads. Stacie L. warns about Red Feather Campground: "The drive into the campground is nerve wracking... towing a trailer I was surprised to find the drive in was partially on a gravel road. We kept thinking we were going the wrong way!"
Bear safety: Bears are active throughout the area. Kimberly M. from Little Beaver A Campground cautions: "It's definitely bear country, and a site close to ours was stupid enough to leave their food out at night (guess what happened!!)" Most campgrounds provide bear boxes, and proper food storage is essential.
No connectivity: Cell service is nonexistent at most campgrounds. Ross H. at Plumas-Eureka State Park embraced this, noting "no cell phone coverage!!" as a positive feature. For emergency communications, Haley C. points out "the general store also has a pay phone for use" in the town of La Porte.
Best swimming spots: Look for campgrounds with protected swimming areas. At Sly Creek Campground, Renee A. recommends: "We enjoyed our camping trip immensely and enjoyed getting into our kayaks and on to the water." The reservoir provides safe water recreation options for children.
Site selection strategy: For family groups, strategic site selection is important. Kimberly M. advises: "There are a lot of large groups and families that come here (seems like they'll take up a big part of a loop by reserving multiple sites), so the sites at in the farthest corners will be your best bet if that's not what you want."
Kid-friendly activities: Beyond swimming, families can explore historic sites. Luna F. mentions "There's a museum on site at the check-in area" at Plumas-Eureka State Park, providing educational opportunities during inclement weather or between outdoor activities.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites challenging for RVs. Kimberly M. notes: "Be aware that there are several sites in the loop we stayed at (including ours) that have an entrance with significant grade, so you'll be backing up a camper/trailer up a hill."
RV size limitations: Most campgrounds in the area cannot accommodate large rigs. Little Beaver, Running Deer, and other sites on Little Grass Valley Reservoir have tight interior roads. Stacie L. observed at Red Feather: "Once we got in there, the roads inside the grounds are tight so not sure how bigger rigs would handle it."
Dump station availability: Limited dump stations exist in the area. Wyandotte Campground is one of the few facilities with a dump station, making it a strategic stop when planning longer stays in the region with multiple campground visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is La Porte campground located in California?
La Porte is located in Plumas County in Northern California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The area features several campgrounds in the surrounding region. Yellow Creek Campground is nestled in the pines bordering Humbug Valley, offering some of Northern California's best views while being less crowded than nearby Lake Almanor sites. Butte Meadows Campground is situated along a river within walking distance to local businesses and about an hour from Lake Almanor. The La Porte region is known for its scenic beauty, with several campgrounds situated along reservoirs, lakes, and rivers throughout the area, making it an excellent base for exploring this part of the Northern Sierra.
When is the best season to camp at La Porte, California?
The best season to camp in the La Porte area is late spring through early fall (May-October). Summer offers ideal conditions with warm days perfect for swimming at Wyandotte Campground, which features a beach at Little Grass Valley Reservoir. Fall brings spectacular colors but cooler temperatures, especially at higher elevations. Spring camping can be beautiful but may have lingering snow at some sites. Avoid winter unless prepared for snow conditions, as many campgrounds close seasonally. Late summer and early fall typically provide the most reliable weather while avoiding peak crowds. Check road conditions before traveling, as some access roads may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at more remote sites.
What amenities are available at La Porte campground?
Campgrounds in the La Porte area offer various amenities depending on the specific location. Wyandotte Campground on Little Grass Valley Reservoir provides boat launch facilities, a dump station, fish cleaning station, flush toilets, and a swimming beach. Many sites include standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby access to water. Sly Creek Campground offers water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic facilities like pit toilets or vault toilets, though some may have flush toilets. Water availability varies by location and season, so it's advisable to check current conditions before your trip, especially during late summer when some water sources may be limited.
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