Camping near Plumas National Forest

Plumas National Forest is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Plumas National Forest. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Plumas National Forest and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Plumas National Forest (337)

    1. Gold Lake 4x4 Campground

    10 Reviews
    Graeagle, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2575

    "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."

    2. Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Graeagle, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2380

    $35 - $250 / night

    "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."

    3. Sardine Lake

    9 Reviews
    Sierra City, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 478-6253

    $24 - $48 / night

    "We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."

    "Campground was situated nicely with perfect trees for our hammocks and bathrooms were tidy."

    4. Black Rock Campground

    4 Reviews
    Yucca Valley, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 534-6500

    "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."

    5. Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Clio, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2375

    "It’s a cute RV park, it’s clean and close to a little town the bad thing is that every space is so close to each other, you have next to you their services and it’s impossible to access your storage without"

    "Secured large dog area with running creek within walking distance. A number of lower RV spaces within walking pathways to creek. Most were 30 amps and upper level had some 50 amps."

    6. Red Feather Campground

    2 Reviews
    La Porte, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 534-6500

    $22 / night

    7. Union Flat

    3 Reviews
    Downieville, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 478-6253

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Site 8 is the access to it, so beware if you don't like people walking through. Great mtn biking, fishing, rafting, floating and swimming."

    "We stayed at 7A which had zero shade, but did have access to the swimming hole. Our kids loved this campground. The swimming hole was awesome. This campsite is about 15 minutes from Downieville."

    8. Running Deer Campground

    1 Review
    La Porte, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 534-6500

    $23 - $25 / night

    "Great spaces next to lake. No cell service. Lots of places to enjoy on the shoreline."

    9. Little Beaver Campground

    1 Review
    La Porte, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 534-6500

    10. Movin' West RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Blairsden-Graeagle, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2614

    "It was a great RV park to stay at in Graeagle, California. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is great. The town is only 1 mile from the RV park and you can easily walk there."

    "Short walk to town for a morning of mini golf. Even though the park is close to the road, I didn't hear anything. Memorial day weekend George hosted camp-wide dinner of BBQ tri-tip and kielbasa."

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Recent Reviews near Plumas National Forest

757 Reviews of 337 Plumas National Forest Campgrounds


  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Union Flat

    Union Flat Campground

    been there many times in the 90s, good gold panning results

  • J
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Philbrook Campground

    Not open in winter

    Great LOOKING site, but me and my friends had to not camp there because it wasn’t open sense the beginning of October

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Grouse Ridge Campground

    My Favorite Spot near Truckee

    This is as isolated as it gets. There are a number of pullouts and sites along the road up to Grouse Ridge CG - they're all excellent. Don't expect water or cell reception or toilets. In this area, you're on your own. If the road is muddy, you may not want to take the risk as the mud is slick and getting stuck out here is a true disaster. Even in June, there was still mud, and it even snowed on me which was a thrill to wake up to a white wonderland. Did I mention that you're on your own? Have fun.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Independence Hill Dispersed

    Super quiet, super remote

    If getting away is on your list, then Independance Hill is one place to go. 1 bar Verizon and a small creek (if you continue on up the road). It's really about 2 miles from the village of Iowa Hill, but it is remote. I scared two black bears as I was walking (don't I wish I had that on film...). And yes, that's his footprint on my van door - he was checking out the bag of garbage I had stored on my roof. No services, but there are at least 6 good sites, including a large flat area that can take any size RV. This is my second favorite spot in this area. I'll go again many times :-)

  • H
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Cottonwood Campground

    Quieter Camp with Nice Trail Adjacent

    A two loop campground in a beautiful area. I stayed here in October of 2024. Aside from the host and a forest crew, I was the only camper. It was quiet and lovely. I walked the adjacent trail in the morning, which was very pretty. The pit toilets are old style and smelly, but clean.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Tahoe National Forest Boca Campground

    Water, front and tree shaded campsites

    Campsites, along the shores of the reservoir are small and close together. The other sites are larger and have more privacy. All of the sites have shade. Elevation is about 6000 feet. I camped here 9/17/25.

  • D
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Movin' West RV Park

    Very nice place

    Clean and cute, rv sites are level and spacious

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    Great New Spot

    The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail. We went in about a mile in our RAM Promaster converted van then turned around and took a big flat spot closer to the road.

  • Toby T.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area

    Great stop off

    Road is well maintained gravel, no potholes. Sites are nicely spaced, large and maintained. Vault toilets were super clean. Sites have a table and bbq. Got lucky and no loud parties, neighbors were respectful. We arrived just after dark and only stayed 1 night so cant comment on the daytime or weekend vibes.


Guide to Plumas National Forest

Camping near Plumas National Forest, California, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just soaking up nature, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line. At Collins Lake Recreation Area, one visitor mentioned, "The lake is stocked with fish," making it a great spot for anglers.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "There’s a trailhead for hiking to a few secluded lakes," perfect for those who love to hike.
  • Water Sports: If you’re into boating or kayaking, East Meadow Campground is a hit. One camper noted, "Excellent paddleboarding & kayaking," highlighting the fun on the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness. At Bidwell Canyon Campground, a visitor said, "Super clean camp grounds, with an amazing view when near the water."
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews mention helpful staff. At Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park, one guest remarked, "Friendly office staff made the check-in process easy and enjoyable."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the views. A reviewer at Gold Lake 4x4 Campground said, "The view of the lake was beautiful!"

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Bowman Campground, lack basic facilities. A camper warned, "There is a pit toilet, but no water or fire rings."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Expect busy weekends. A visitor at Grasshopper Flat noted, "If you get there on a weekend, get there early because sites fill up fast."
  • Wildlife Awareness: Be cautious of wildlife. At Sardine Lake, a camper advised, "Make sure you bring bear spray!"

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits. A reviewer at Collins Lake Recreation Area noted, "Spot 73 is an okay spot," but mentioned issues with water drainage.
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups. At Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park, one guest said, "The park is immaculately maintained."
  • Be Prepared for Rough Roads: Some campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor at Gold Lake 4x4 Campground warned, "This site requires a high clearance vehicle with good off-road tires."

Camping near Plumas National Forest, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hiking trails in Plumas National Forest?

Plumas National Forest offers diverse hiking experiences across its expansive terrain. Near Gold Lake 4x4 Campground, you'll find phenomenal trails that provide spectacular overlooks of the Sierra Buttes. The hiking paths surrounding the Sierra Buttes area offer some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Northern California. For water-adjacent hiking, the trails near Little Bear RV Park showcase the beauty of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains with less crowding than more famous areas like Tahoe or Yosemite. Many trails connect to various lakes and streams throughout the forest, with difficulty levels ranging from easy family walks to challenging mountain ascents. Most trails are best hiked from late spring through early fall when snow has melted.

Where are the best campgrounds in Plumas National Forest?

Plumas National Forest offers several exceptional campgrounds. Yellow Creek Campground provides a peaceful alternative to busier spots, with stunning views of Humbug Valley and beautiful pine surroundings. For lakeside camping, Silver Lake Campground features hiking trails right off the lake and is less crowded than other Sierra Nevada destinations. Other notable options include Gold Lake 4x4 Campground for those seeking seclusion, Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground for more amenities, and Little Beaver Campground for a more rustic experience. Most campgrounds in the forest operate seasonally (typically May through October), with fees ranging from $15-25 per night depending on amenities and location.

Are there any free camping areas in Plumas County?

Yes, Plumas County offers several free camping options. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout much of Plumas National Forest, though Rogers Cow Camp (note: currently impacted by wildfire damage) was historically a popular dispersed camping area. Another budget-friendly option is Laufman Campground, which while not free, offers an affordable alternative at approximately $15 per night without amenities like water or trash service. When dispersed camping in Plumas County, follow forest regulations: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings (when permitted), pack out all trash, and check current fire restrictions. Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to access and lack facilities, so come prepared with all supplies including water.