Best Tent Camping near Quincy, CA

Plumas National Forest offers several tent campgrounds near Quincy, California, with varying levels of amenities and access. Snake Lake Campground, located approximately 9 miles from Quincy, provides free primitive tent sites with fire rings, bear boxes, and pit toilets but no drinking water. Yellow Creek Campground and Ponderosa Flat Campground provide additional tent-focused options with basic facilities and scenic forest settings within the national forest boundary.

Most tent sites in the Quincy area feature dirt pads on uneven terrain with minimal improvements. Campgrounds like Snake Lake include bear boxes, which are essential in this active wildlife area. According to one visitor, "Forest Service campground in Plumas NF I've stayed at several times when exploring the area. Free. Fire rings and bear boxes. Outhouses. No water apart from lake." High-clearance vehicles may be necessary for accessing some of the more remote tent camping areas, particularly after rain or during spring snowmelt. Several campgrounds close seasonally, with Ponderosa Flat typically operating from May through October.

Tent campers frequently note the spacious and private nature of sites in this region. A review mentioned, "Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads." Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, offering more seclusion than drive-up camping areas. The surrounding lakes provide opportunities for fishing and swimming during summer months, though water levels can fluctuate seasonally. Backcountry tent camping is permitted in many areas of Plumas National Forest with proper permits, offering experienced campers more remote options beyond established campgrounds. Mosquitoes can be prevalent near lakes and streams, especially in early summer, so appropriate protection is recommended for tent campers planning overnight stays.

Best Tent Sites Near Quincy, California (76)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Quincy, CA

578 Reviews of 76 Quincy Campgrounds


  • Jim S.
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground

    Rustic clean free

    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.

  • T
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Summit Lake South — Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Quaint and primitive

    The campground is basic with vault toilets and water spigots. Bear box, fire pit and picnic table provided. Some of the sites are very close to one another. Very dry and dusty in the summer time. Good location as far as getting to other points of interest in the park. Stayed in E loop for tents only which was nice because there was no noise from RVs and generators.

  • D
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Butte Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Roomy and plenty of shade

    Group camps have plenty of room in a fairly shaded Pine tree environment. Campers are spaced adequatley apart. Have to get water from the faucet outside the rest rooms which have flush toilets. No showers and no electricity but the Lake was great for cooling off.

  • Patricia O.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Lindsey Lake Campground

    Rustic and remote

    There are only a few campsites here, 12, I think, and a rough road getting (SUV or truck recommended) into the campground. Once you reach camp, you’ll be rewarded with serene and beautiful surroundings. Lots of lakes and hiking in the area. Mosquitos can be a problem so come prepared. Vault toilet. No trash service, no piped water. There are picnic tables and fire rings.

  • A
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

    Great spot

    We rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?

  • Lauren H.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Tahoe National Forest Salmon Creek Campground

    A Dog's Dream

    Nestled against salmon creek and among the gold lake area, just outside of Bassetts. Very large sites, with some hike in with shallow creek crossing. Lush fields and forests. Great views. Can here traffic on ridge. Bear boxes at every site Trash and Recycling receptacles Picnic Tables at every site Fresh water available Bathrooms throughout

  • Jessica F.
    Sep. 24, 2016

    Spanish Creek Campground

    Beautiful location, fairly loud train noise at night

    An empty camp except for one extremely friendly couple on the Sunday of the weekend after Labor Day. A cool site overlooking Spanish Creek, I ended up at Site 15, where the water rushing over the rocks created some nice babbling brook sounds.

    The sites are a little small/close together, but they are well delinated with trees and logs. A bear box is supplied with each site, which is really nice for those of us who don't travel in a car. No hiker/biker spots available, so I had to pay the full $25 which is a bit steep for no shower. The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd ever seen. Basically zero smell. The water from the spigot seemed fine, and the camp also provided a large tank of non-potable water.

    The trains were definitely loud in the night, because the rails cling to the sides of the canyon, and the wheels scrape against the rails on the curves. I would stay here a couple nights again, because the creek is beautiful, and the valley seems remote, while still being close to a moderately large highway, and Quincy, for restocking. I would definitely be prepared to be woken up, or pack earplugs.

  • Gretchen B.
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Berger

    Pretty, Clean, & Spacious

    Our campsite was nice! There was no formal check in process and ours was a little away from everyone else. Fire ring, picnic table, and bear box, established toilet with tp in campsite. Few bugs but nothing crazy. Small creek nearby. Pretty lake and nearby hike if you go up the road about a mile.

  • Zac R.
    Jan. 26, 2020

    Rucker Lake Campground

    Large sites

    This lake is a quiet getaway, with waterfront access and a warm lake. Short hike in but has picnic tables and bear boxes.


Guide to Quincy

Tent campsites near Quincy, California range from lakeside settings to forest clearings within Plumas National Forest. The region sits at elevations between 3,400 and 5,000 feet, creating a diverse climate with warm summer days and cool nights. Winter snowfall typically closes many campgrounds from November through April, with spring runoff creating variable conditions during the May reopening period.

What to do

Kayaking access: Goose Lake Campground provides direct water access with camping spots bordering the lake on multiple sides. According to camper Michele B., "Dry camping with space between sites. Great for kayaking and tents. Some sites require high clearance vehicles. Beautiful views."

ATV trails exploration: Golden Trout Campground connects to extensive riding networks. "This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find," notes Elaina S., who adds practical advice about facilities: "The main camp area sits on 2 sides of the creek and has hand pump water and a vault toilet."

Soda springs visit: The historic soda springs site near Yellow Creek Campground offers cultural significance. "There's a natural soda spring on the entrance road where the local indigenous Maidu used to gather and drink for healing," explains Matt D., highlighting this little-known attraction approximately 8 miles down a gravel road from the main highway.

What campers like

Lake views: The waterfront positioning at Antelope Lake creates premium tent sites. At Boulder Creek Campground, camper SupTard notes, "Antelope Lake is always gorgeous though and worth the trip," despite concerns about recent price increases.

Uncrowded camping: Lower visitation rates make certain sites more appealing. "Most people flock to the nearby Lake Almanor or Butt Valley campgrounds, so Yellow Creek Campground is a nice place to go to escape bigger and busier spots," reports Matt D., highlighting the benefit of venturing off the main tourist path.

Paddling opportunities: Ponderosa Flat Campground features water recreation options. Susan R. observed, "Most of the sites are reservation based, and some are closed right now, so not a lot of neighbors. The lake is beautiful and long. Wonderful for Kayaking."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many tent sites require specific vehicle types. Bill B. cautions about Goose Lake Campground: "High ground clearance vehicles only. Two poorly marked entrances... Large rocks in road to drive over and trees to avoid. Class C RV over 16 ft not advised. Tight turns to navigate trees and rocky road."

Water considerations: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Scott explains the situation at Goose Lake: "Nice small lake for floating, but no fishing to speak of. Keep an eye out for leaches if swimming. Permanent pit toilet, but no running water. Nearest water is 5 miles down the hill."

Insect preparedness: Summer brings substantial insect populations. Regarding Golden Trout Campground, Elaina S. warns, "Beware there are TONS of mosquitoes!" The mosquito population tends to be highest near water sources and during early summer months following the spring melt.

Tips for camping with families

Site accessibility evaluation: Family groups should consider how difficult reaching campsites might be. At Goose Lake, Scott notes, "Some sites are easily accessible by car, but about half would be trouble to reach for a normal sedan," suggesting families research specific site numbers in advance.

Swimming safety: Snake Lake Campground has water access but requires monitoring. According to Jim S., there's "No water apart from lake (generally overgrown)," suggesting families should prepare to bring drinking water and exercise caution with lake swimming.

Private sites availability: Families appreciate space between camping neighbors. Jim S. describes Snake Lake Campground's layout: "Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads. Equestrian sites available."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Large RVs face access difficulties at most tent-focused sites. For Goose Lake, Bill B. cautions, "NO Trailers advised," and suggests only smaller RVs attempt access: "standard class B rv a maybe."

Fee structure changes: Recent management adjustments have affected value perception. SupTard comments about Boulder Creek: "I'm bummed about the new management company charging $30 a night. It's not worth $30 a night for pit toilets," indicating RVers should research current pricing.

Rule enforcement variability: Campground management approaches differ by location. At Boulder Creek, one camper observed: "There were campground hosts roaming around but they didn't seem to be enforcing rules, like only parking on the pavement and the noise curfew," suggesting RVers should be prepared for inconsistent policy enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Quincy, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Quincy, CA is Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Quincy, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 76 tent camping locations near Quincy, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.