Best Equestrian Camping near Plumas National Forest

This campground is labeled as equestrian however anyone can stay. Great place close to Frenchman lake. Has pasture area for horses. Spots are well spaced out and never filled up while we stayed for 4 days. Tons of horseflies late morning and early afternoon. Pit toilets, and drinking water available. Easy to stay with trailers and rvs. Road is dirt/gravel on way in but easy to navigate.

Officially this is listed as an equestrian campground. We were there during the off season so no one else was around. 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. The sites are a good size but the loop is tight and it took some creative maneuvering to back into our site. 

The road in was fairly smooth with some areas of washboard, managed fine in our 26’ Class C. Water is available from an hand pumped spigot at the entrance of the campground, website states non potable but we drank it and it was fine and in fact tasted really fresh. There is no garbage so pack in and pack out. 

The bathrooms were open. Each space has a bear box, fire pit and picnic table all in good condition. Sites were relatively flat and a mix of sun and shade. 

There is hiking and biking on the main dirt road and on the multiple side roads. There was a few vehicles coming and going but not so busy as to be annoying. 

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. 

Zero cell service from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

Forest Service campground in Plumas NF I’ve stayed at several times when exploring the area. About 9 miles from Quincy and 2-3 off highway. Free. Fire rings (need annual campfire permit, free at park offices) and bear boxes. Outhouses. No water apart from lake (generally overgrown). Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads. Equestrian sites available.

With pristine wilderness surrounding your tent, you can camp alongside the beautiful reservoir.

Wildlife is all around you and you can see some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see in your life.

We enjoyed our camping trip immensely and enjoyed getting into our kayaks and on to the water.

We took some video footage as well.

There was a great fishing but we didn't catch anything.

It was very quiet and peaceful.

Bathrooms had a horrific smell, trash overflowed the receptacles all four days we were there; not to mention the huge “bear country” signs to make sure trash is properly disposed of, but the ranger just drove by it multiple times with her truck bed empty. It’s right by the main road/interstate; large trees are placed in front of the camp area..I’m assuming so a car will hit the tree and offer sometime of protection?! Yikes. We made the best of it but we will not be back. I’ve heard of other great sites around bucks lake and will be sure to check those for the future.

The campgrounds is small, which was perfect. A total of 19 spaces, but on a Sunday night there were only 5 filled spaces. Trees and birds! Chipmunks! Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake! 

It is bear country, and the campsite was visited by a bear at night. Just one night, when the night before the dumpsters were emptied. The bear messed with the campground dumpster but left everything else alone.  All the garbage goes into bear proof dumpsters. Don't leave it out in cans. Those are labeled PLASTIC and CANS.  Just do what they say- and keep your food stuffed locked up. Head the warnings- right? The bear, after speaking to the host, is well known locally. They have watched it grow up.

Someone reviewed poorly because of vault toilets. Maybe they have never been camping. Vault toilets are very common and a non-issue. Sure they don't smell like an indoor bathroom- but these were serviced every day! Not a concern. They work for what you need them to do. And there was even toilet paper stocked!

Clean campground, great fishing, and nice trail around lake. Kids love camping here. Bathrooms are kept clean and stocked 2-3x a day. We have done both tent only and loop A and don’t have many complaints. Spacing in tent only is cramped but that’s it.

Super place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some spots are tricky to back in, but easy walk to the reservoir for beach/water time. Some campers moored their boats/jet skis just off the campground. Gravelly shore and bottom, excellent paddleboarding & kayaking, but be aware this is a water sports lake - so expect powerboats & jet skis.

beautiful campgrounds with access to sandy beaches from your tenting spots. access to the Pacific crest trail & many other hiking routes.

Beautiful campgrounds with access to sandy beaches from your tenting spots. access to the Pacific crest trail & many other hiking routes.

Just got back yesterday from a weekend trip with the family. The campground is huge 137 sites in 3 groups, we were one of maybe 15 sites occupied while there. The sites/bathrooms were all very clean, didn't smell at all. Unfortunately the beach access/swimming area has turned into a meadow which was nice to see deer but there wasn't a place for the little ones to swim (but that's the drought out here for you). A lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent. When I took a drive around it looked like many were similarly sloped/ terraced not a flat site. Unfortunately this weekend was 108 or so as highs, so it was a very hot weekend. The campground would likely be better in late September/October.

Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area. We stayed here for a trip to Feather Falls, then Table Mountain on the way home. There are local hiking trails, and of course all kinds of water recreation at the lake. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center has a small museum and exhibits. Staff there were wonderful too.

Picnic tables, fire ring, flush toilets. We never felt crowded in our campsite here. If this campground isn't right for you, there are others within this SRA.

I’ve never been to a floating camp site. It’s great. The cleanest I’ve ever been camping. There is no electricity, no running water except for the toilet. You are right on the lake. Dip in to cool down or fish right off of you site. Best thing I’ve discovered yet.

Nice lake, great fishing.