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Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF

4 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Sierra National Forest's Black Rock Campground sits beside a PG&E-operated reservoir along a rough dirt road between Pine Flat Lake and Dinkey Lakes, giving campers direct access to the water but also placing them within earshot of the dam infrastructure. The road in is a notable factor. Multiple reviewers flag two access routes, both listed on dangerousroads.org, with at least one stretch featuring a single lane, minimal turnouts, and a sheer cliff drop. Trailers and RVs are not recommended.

Fishing draws most visitors here. Trout are the main target, and the reservoir is a short walk or drive from the campsites. Water levels can rise quickly and without warning due to dam operations, so campers should stay cautious near the shoreline, especially at night. Mosquitoes are a consistent presence, so insect repellent is worth packing. The campground runs from June through November, with spring visits offering green grass and lower elevation access before higher Sierra routes open up.

Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, and the campground has drinking water, toilets, and ADA accessibility. Firewood is available on site. Reservations are accepted, which matters during busier summer weekends when the campground can fill and leave latecomers scrambling for dispersed sites nearby. Early September tends to see lighter crowds, partly because the roads deter casual visitors. As Jaime G. noted, most people who make the drive are there "mostly all there to fishing for trout." Nearby alternatives include Sawmill Flat Campground to the north and Hermit's Hole to the south, and those planning a longer stay in the region can browse campgrounds near Sierra National Forest for additional options. This campground suits anglers and self-sufficient campers who are comfortable with remote road conditions and fluctuating water levels.

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Map & DirectionsBlack Rock Campground is located in California near Hume

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Take highway 168 to Shaver Lake. Go east on Dinkey Creek Road 12.5 miles, turn right on McKinley Grove Road (road 11S40), travel approximately 12.5 miles to road 11S12, turn right, travel 12 miles, make left at intersection (road 11S50) from Black Rock Station travel 1.5 miles to campground. General Notes: No services available. Nearest services are in the town of Shaver Lake, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes away. No garbage service - Please pack out what you pack in. This is bear country and there are raccoon problems in campground. Please store food properly and do not feed the animals. Bring mosquito repellant.

Coordinates

36.92100058 N
119.02600067 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Black Rock Campground

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4 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere and well-equipped sites with scenic reservoir views. Access requires navigating challenging dirt roads that deter many campers but reward those who make the journey.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2023

Majestic Quiet Place

Came twice to this place. Two roads to get there both dangerous and listed on dangerousroads.org. Because of that, very few people were up there when we were there the first part of September and the 3rd week of September 2023. 

We choose to dispersed camp both times and it was great. We arrived on a Friday night and then enjoyed the scenery and reservoir all day Saturday. On both occasions we seen anywhere from 4-5 groups of fellow adventurist. Mostly all there to fishing for trout.

Mosquitos are a nuisance so be sure to have your insect repellant/barriers solutions with you.

SiteDispersed Area after Black Rock Campground last space before reservoir
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Jaime G., September 30, 2023
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Jaime G., September 30, 2023
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Jaime G., September 30, 2023
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2021

Fun little spot the spring time

Nice spot to go in the spring when the grass is still green and too cold to go up into the higher elevations. I would NOT recommend bringing an RV or trailer into the area as the road in has a 1 lane, minimal turnout section with a shear cliff on one side. The drive is plenty safe, but long and not for the faint of heart. Relatively busy when we went and unfortunately weren’t able to get a campsite the first night, but lucked out to find a dispersed site and moved to a campsite the next day. Everyone there was super friendly and it’s a short drive/ walk to the water. I did want to point out that there are other reviews that were posted here that were supposed to be for the black rock campground in the Joshua tree area. They must have been accidentally added here, and I don’t want anyone to be mislead.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Janelle M., July 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Janelle M., July 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Janelle M., July 31, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 22, 2020

Peaceful camping, great fishing

Visited Black Rock last weekend with our two dogs. Had great luck fishing and there were only 2 other camping groups out there as well, very peaceful and quiet. If camping near the water, be cautious as water rises quite a bit at night.

  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Brianna S., April 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Brianna S., April 22, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 18, 2018

Nice secluded campground

Stayed here one night over the weekend and it was pretty nice. Nobody else was in sight. Each sight had a picnic table and a fire pit. It’s off a pretty rough dirt road between Pine Flat Lake and Dinkey Lakes. The reservoir was pretty nice except for all the electrical wires. Its also right next to a damn that is ran by PGE. There was a warning next the the shore that warned that water levels can increase in an instant so we didn’t go down to it. There is a lot of views to the campground and beyond it. It is also free!

  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Darlene M., June 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Darlene M., June 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Black Rock Campground - Sierra NF by Darlene M., June 18, 2018
  • (5) View All
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Black Rock Campground located in California?

Black Rock Campground is located in the Sierra National Forest between Pine Flat Lake and Dinkey Lakes. The campground sits alongside Black Rock Reservoir in a remote setting accessed via dirt roads. Its position provides a nice transitional camping area for those who want to enjoy the lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains, especially during spring when higher elevations may still be too cold.

What photos show the landscape and facilities at Black Rock Campground?

Photos of Black Rock Campground showcase a scenic reservoir with some visible electrical wires in the background. The campground features individual sites equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. The surrounding landscape transitions between green grass in spring and drier conditions later in the season. Images also highlight the remote wilderness setting that provides solitude and peaceful camping experiences with minimal crowds.

What do visitor reviews say about Black Rock Campground?

Black Rock Campground is praised for its peaceful, quiet atmosphere with very few other campers, offering excellent solitude. Campsites come equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. The access roads are consistently mentioned as challenging, with one narrow section featuring minimal turnouts and a sheer cliff on one side, making RVs and trailers inadvisable. The campground is considered best in spring when the grass is still green. Water levels in the reservoir can rise significantly at night, so camping very close to the shoreline requires caution.

Are there fishing opportunities at Black Rock Reservoir near the campground?

Yes, Black Rock Reservoir offers good fishing opportunities. Visitors have reported successful fishing trips while staying at the campground. The reservoir provides a peaceful fishing environment, especially given the remote location that keeps crowds minimal. If fishing near the shoreline, be aware that water levels in the reservoir can rise significantly overnight, so position your gear and camping setup accordingly for safety.

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