Camping sites near Litchfield, California range from primitive dispersed camping to developed campgrounds with full amenities. The area sits at elevations between 4,000-5,000 feet in northeastern California's high desert region where sagebrush meets pine forest. Summer temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, with daytime highs often reaching 90°F while dropping into the 40s at night.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Eagle Lake offers some of the best trout fishing in the region. Merrill Campground provides lake access for anglers. "We stayed here for 4 nights and loved it. The lake is appropriately named as we saw bald eagles daily," notes one visitor.
Water recreation: Kayaking and paddle boarding are popular at several area lakes during summer months. "The lake is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and splashing around," reports a camper at Antelope Lake Recreation Area.
Stargazing: Limited light pollution makes this area excellent for night sky viewing. "We heard gunshots around 9PM that lasted for about an hour. Seems the people around here hunt at night," reports a camper at CA-139 Pull Off Area, highlighting how remote and dark the area becomes after sunset.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spots. "The sites are spread out and offer a lot of privacy with tree coverage," notes a camper at Merrill Campground.
Mountain scenery: The combination of lake views and mountain backdrops draws photographers. "So beautiful! The lake is nestled in the mountains. The scenery, fishing and water sports are superb!" writes a visitor at Antelope Lake Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Honey Lake Campground receives positive reviews for maintenance. "The bathroom/shower was clean and tidy. There was wifi but my T-Mobile was plenty anywhere I went around camp," reports a recent camper.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Road is gravel, one large pot hole in the middle of the road made it difficult for a compact or large RV to get into campground. Easy for a 4wd or high clearance rig," warns a visitor to Laufman Campground.
Campsite availability: Peak fishing season means advanced planning is essential. "Would recommend booking reservable on-the-water sites well in advance," advises a camper at Antelope Lake.
Wind exposure: Some camping areas have minimal wind protection. "We only found one good area and it already had 2 people at it. It had level sites and nice tall trees. It also tucked in out of the wind. We some for other sites but they were windy, rough road to reach them, and not level so we moved on," notes a camper at Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access schedules: Some facilities have limited hours. "This park is very nice all concrete sites and manicured and watered grass areas. Picnic tables at all the sites. The one thing that was bothersome was they lock the showers and bathrooms from 7pm to 7am," mentions a visitor at Susanville RV Park.
Campsite selection for shade: Summer heat makes shade crucial for comfort. "We opted for the loop with water/electric hookups knowing there was easy access to a dump station across from the entrance to the campground. While we loved our site, it was probably the least shaded of any site there," notes a Merrill Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bird watching opportunities abound for children. "We found this campground just about 20 miles outside of Susanville—the road is winding, but paved all of the way. The campground is set in deep pines that reach the sky alongside a wide Eagle Lake," writes a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for many area campgrounds. "Only con would be limited shade as the trees are still growing and the slight elevation of the sewage connection," notes a camper at Days End RV Park.
Early/late arrival procedures: Some parks have special check-in processes. "Stopped here on our way to and from Oregon. Easy pull through sites, full hookups. Friendly staff and they make it easy if you come late and leave early as we did," explains a Susanville RV Park visitor.
Big rig accessibility: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Large concrete lot. Shade hard to come by. Has cell service, WiFi (slow), nice showers, bathrooms and laundry. Best for very large rigs with limited options," advises a camper at Susanville RV Park.
Guide
