U.S. Forest Service · Plumas National Forest · Blairsden, CA

Lakes Basin

Lakes Basin Campground (6,445 feet) is situated in the ruins of an old lodge, Lakes Center Lodge, built in 1912 and removed in the late 1970's. Some of the old stonework still exists, including steps leading into a deep pool of Gray Eagle Creek. This campground is within easy reach of many trailheads. The campground also offers a tent only group campsite by reservation only.

Closed for the seasonPartly reservable25 sitesNo hookupsPets ok

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Lakes BasinLakes BasinLakes Basin campsite 010 BathroomLakes Basin campsite 010 walk
Photos courtesy of Share the Experience, Amanda English, Share the Experience, Terry Kiser, laural boggs · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups7
Tent-only3
Group tent areas1
Host/management14
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

11 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesAccessible
002FAMStandardBack-inGravelFull8 / 1
004FAMStandardBack-inGravelPartial8 / 1Yes
010FAMTent onlyGravelFull8 / 1
013FAMTent onlyGravelFull8 / 1
015FAMStandardBack-inGravelFull8 / 1
018FAMStandardBack-inGravelPartial8 / 1
020FAMStandardGravelFull8 / 1
021FAMStandardBack-inGravelFull8 / 1
022FAMTent onlyGravelFull8 / 1
001GROUPGroup tentPavedPartial25 / 5Yes

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

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
AccessibilitySites XXX, 004, 001 are listed accessible

The single loop campground offers family campsites and one group tent-only site. One double-family site is also available. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. All sites have fire rings with grills and picnic tables. Sites are as listed. Site number, site length, SHADE, maximum vehicles, allowable equipment SIte #001 group full #2 Site Lenght-42', Shade-SUN, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment-RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #4 Site Length-28', Shade-PARTIAL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment- RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #6A,6B Site Lenght-MULTI 45', Shade-SUN, Max Vehicles-4, Equipment- RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #10 Site Lenght-26', Shade-FULL, Max Vehicles -1, Equipment- TENT, VAN #13 Site Lenght-41', Shade-FULL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment- TENT, VAN, small trailer #15 Site Length-40', Shade-FULL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment- RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #18 Site Lenght-42', Shade-PARTIAL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment- RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #20 Site Length-42', Shade-PARTIAL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment-RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #21 Site Length-30', Shade-PARTIAL, Max Vehicles-2, Equipment- RV, TENT, TRAILER, VAN #22 Site Lenght-26", Shade-PARTIAL, Max Vehicles- 1, Equipment- TENT, VAN

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestPlumas National Forest
BookingSites can be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.Recreation.gov
FeesCall the Beckwourth Ranger District for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only
Rules14 day camping limit. 6 people per campsite, 12 people for double sites. 2 vehicles per campsite. OHV riding is not allowed. Store food, trash and scented items appropriately - Be Bear Aware

Plumas National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lakes Basin30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 11.26 inches of precipitation, 6.4 inches of snowFebruary: 10.73 inches of precipitation, 7.9 inches of snowMarch: 10.00 inches of precipitation, 4.2 inches of snowApril: 5.34 inches of precipitation, 1.2 inches of snowMay: 3.65 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowJune: 1.07 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 0.06 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.19 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.66 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.34 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 6.81 inches of precipitation, 1.2 inches of snowDecember: 11.81 inches of precipitation, 5.1 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 39.0°F averageFebruary: 41.5°F averageMarch: 45.3°F averageApril: 49.5°F averageMay: 57.0°F averageJune: 63.8°F averageJuly: 70.2°F averageAugust: 69.3°F averageSeptember: 64.7°F averageOctober: 55.4°F averageNovember: 44.3°F averageDecember: 37.7°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Downieville, 11 miles from the campground at 2,915 feet, station USC00042500 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 65 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 26 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

In Graeagle, CA, at the intersection of State Rt. 89 and Forest Rt. 24 (Gold Lakes directional sign), turn onto Rt. 24 and go 6.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right onto the single-lane road and proceed 0.3 miles. The campground will be on the right.

Nearest townBlairsden, California
Coordinates39.6667° N, 120.6578° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗24.3 mi
Outdoor gearUpcycled Adventures ↗30.8 mi
RV sales & serviceDeMartini RV Sales ↗37.1 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

20 Lakes Basin Day Hike Review | Sierra Rec Magazine

Worth a stop

Visiting Plumas Eureka State Park is a worthy side trip. About 18 miles from the campground, this historic site offers a gift shop, visitor center, walking tour and information about local mining history. Mills Peak Fire Lookout provides a panoramic view of Sierra Peaks and Mohawk Valley. Visit the Red Fir Interpretive Trail along the way. Frazier Falls Trail is best viewed in the Spring. This is a 1 mile paved accessible trail to an overview across from the falls. The Sierra Buttes and its lookout overlook the southern end of Lakes Basin in Tahoe National Forest. Gold Lake Boat Launch Facility has a two lane ramp, loading dock and day use area. A hand launch gravel ramp suitable for launching small water craft is located at Gold Lake Dam Day Use Area.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.3 mi
    Damalusung Lake
    0.7 mi trail
  • 0.4 mi
    Little Gold Lake
    0.1 mi trail
  • 0.8 mi
    Upper Salmon Lake
    1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1 mi
    Gold Lake 4x4
    2.8 mi trail
  • 1 mi
    Oakland Pond
    1.2 mi trail
  • 1.4 mi
    Round Lake Trail
    2.5 mi trail

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Tahoe National Forest, which overlaps Plumas National Forest.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

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. At nearby 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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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Lakes Basin?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Lakes Basin?

Call the Beckwourth Ranger District for information. Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Lakes Basin?

Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Lakes Basin open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Lakes Basin have?

25 sites, including 7 standard sites without power, 3 tent-only sites, and 1 group tent area.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Lakes Basin?

Lakes Basin is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Lakes Basin?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lakes Basin. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Lakes Basin?

Sites XXX, 004, and 001 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Lakes Basin?

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 is the nearest town to Lakes Basin?

Blairsden, California. Visiting Plumas Eureka State Park is a worthy side trip.

Source: Getting there

What if Lakes Basin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Gold Lake 4 X 4 Campground (0.3 mi), Gold Lake Campground (1 mi), and Goose Lake Campground (1.3 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby