Camping in the Plumas National Forest area near Milford, California ranges from primitive sites to established campgrounds across elevations from 4,000 to 8,000 feet. The region experiences significant temperature drops at night, with summer daytime highs in the 80s falling to the 40s after sunset. Winter access is limited by snow accumulation on forest roads from November through April.
What to do
Explore OHV trails: Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area provides excellent access to miles of ATV and SXS trails. A camper noted, "Ride out from your site on your ATV or SBS for miles of trails to explore. There is a water but must be hand pumped from the well and boiled."
Wildlife watching: Meadow View Equestrian Campground offers opportunities to observe local wildlife from its meadow setting. "The view of the huge meadow was nice and just before you reach the campground there are a few buildings that are open and some horse corrals," one reviewer mentioned.
Water recreation: Antelope Lake Recreation Area provides multiple water activities. According to a camper, "The lake is nestled in the mountains. The scenery, fishing and water sports are superb! There are ample campgrounds with spots from tent camping to RV camping."
Stargazing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Fort Sage wrote, "Pristine spot. Cleanest pit toilets ever and they are lit up (great for late arrival). Quiet and smells like juniper and sage. Saw the Milky Way clear as."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Cleanest pit toilets we've experienced anywhere. Great access from highway. All amenities (table, fire pit, cooker) all appear new," one camper reported.
Solitude: Many campgrounds offer peaceful settings away from crowds. At Meadow View, a camper noted, "The campground was quiet and peaceful. Website stated that fees are not collected at this time. There are only 6 sites here and it is a compact little campground."
Lake access: Long Point Campground provides direct water access. "This is one of three campgrounds on Antelope Lake near Susanville CA. Several of the sites are near the lake. All sites are well shaded with fir and pine trees," according to a visitor.
Mountain views: The surrounding terrain offers scenic vistas. A Fort Sage camper commented, "Great spot to view the sunset. Very quiet and yes the pit toilet is the nicest one I've also seen. Stopped here based off the reviews on our way to Lake Tahoe."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful driving. A visitor to Black Mountain Lookout reported, "Quite the goat-road to get up here, but nothing the Crosstrek couldn't manage."
Cell service varies: Connectivity differs dramatically between sites. At Meadow View, a camper noted, "Zero cell service from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile," while at Black Mountain Lookout, another reported, "FULL cell service, as you are about 500 yards away (as crow flies) from cell/microwave tower."
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds operate mid-April through mid-October. At Meadow View, the season runs "mid apr-mid sep" according to official information.
Bear country awareness: Wildlife precautions are necessary. A Long Point visitor advised, "This is bear country so be advised. The lake has two islands, and boat access."
Tips for camping with families
Look for spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer room for families to spread out. At Lone Rock Campground, a visitor observed, "The sites are pretty far apart and are really spacious."
Consider noise levels: Some areas are quieter than others. About Antelope Lake, a camper warned, "This lake isn't far from Reno, NV and surrounding valleys so it can get quite rowdy at night during peak season. Would not recommend for families looking for a quiet, serene getaway."
Water activities: Lakes provide swimming opportunities in summer. "Water is warm enough to swim June-August. Great fishing!" reported a visitor to Antelope Lake.
Wildlife experiences: The area offers educational wildlife viewing. At Fort Sage, a camper shared, "Went on all the trails and out in the sand dune area we came upon wild horses, this was quite a site to see. They were just running and being playful."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many forest campgrounds have limited space. At Honey Lake Campground, visitors noted it can accommodate larger rigs with its "big-rig-friendly" designation, unlike many forest sites.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited. A Days End RV Park visitor commented, "Very clean, full hook ups, can accommodate big rigs. Weekly, monthly, overnight."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain. At Meadow View, a camper advised, "The sites are a good size but the loop is tight and it took some creative maneuvering to back into our site."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require planning. At Fort Sage, a camper suggested, "I would avoid this place in the summer, hot and with no power it would be a sweat box."
