Gold Lake Campground
Gold Lake Campground (6,445 feet) is on the east shore of Gold Lake, a glacially carved alpine lake. This campground is within easy reach of many trailheads Gold Lake Boating Facility and many other activities.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 37 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
37 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 003 | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 004 | 38 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 005 | Partial | 8 / 1 | ||
| 006 | Partial | 8 / 1 | ||
| 007 | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 008 | Partial | 8 / 1 | ||
| 009 | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 010 | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 011 | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
There are 38 total campsites suitable for RV and tent camping, standard non-electric sites Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are vault toilets and Porta- potties
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | July 14 |
| Forest | Plumas National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are required no less than 3 days in advance. Please visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation or call 1-877-444-6777. |
| Rules | 14-day camping limit. 8 people per campsite. 2 vehicles per campsite. Store all food, trash and scented items appropriately to avoid bears |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 39.6774° N, 120.6461° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Upcycled Adventures ↗ | 31 mi |
| RV sales & service | DeMartini RV Sales ↗ | 38.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Gold Lake Campground Plumas National Forest Campsite 20
Worth a stop
- 1.3 miSalmon Lake -Boat Ramp Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 3.8 miPacker Lake - Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 5.7 miSierra Valley Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 7.8 mi
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miGold Lake 4x42.8 mi trail
- 0.3 miDamalusung Lake0.7 mi trail
- 0.5 miChurch Meadow Loop1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.2 miLittle Gold Lake0.1 mi trail
- 1.2 miGold Lake Highway ↗6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.2 miGold Lake Highway ↗8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tahoe National Forest, which overlaps Plumas National Forest.
- inTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- inPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sierra City SchoolBuilding · Sierra City · 7.7 mi
- Hospital BridgeStructure · Downieville · 12 mi
- Hansen BridgeStructure · Downieville · 12.4 mi
Natural features
The area was formed by glaciers and is characterized by breathtaking mountain scenery--most notably the craggy peaks of the Sierra Buttes and over 20 natural glacial lakes, most of which are accessible by well-maintained hiking trails. The campground sits among fir and aspen trees along Gray Eagle Creek. Mt. Elwell towers to the west.
Recreation
Gold Lakes Basin offers a variety of recreational activities including boating, fishing and hiking. A network of over 30 miles of maintained trails branch out across the area, and the Pacific Crest trail can be easily reached from the trail system. Many of the trails are open to hiking, biking and horseback riding, including the 1-mile Grassy Lakes Trail, accessible from the campground. Gold Lake, where a boat ramp is provided, visitors enjoy convenient access to boating and fishing. Once on the water, anglers won't have any trouble trolling for brown and rainbow trout and Mackinaws in the cool, clear waters.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gold Lake Campground?
Sites at Gold Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations are required no less than 3 days in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Gold Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Gold Lake Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season July 14.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Gold Lake Campground have?
38 sites, including 37 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Gold Lake Campground?
Gold Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Gold Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gold Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Gold Lake Campground?
Gold Lakes Basin offers a variety of recreational activities including boating, fishing and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Gold Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Goose Lake Campground (0.5 mi, first-come), Haven Lake Campground (0.9 mi, first-come), and Lakes Basin (1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby