Almanor
Almanor Campground is a large family-friendly facility for individuals and large groups alike. It provides direct access to beautiful Lake Almanor and a variety of recreational opportunities in the area.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| Host/management | 34 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS | ALMA | Group | Pull-through | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 100 / 25 | Yes |
| 053 | SMLT | Group | Back-in | 45 | Full | 16 / 4 | ||
| 001 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 003 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 004 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 005 | SOUT | Tent only | Pull-through | Paved | 8 / 1 | |||
| 006 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 007 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | |
| 008 | SOUT | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers numerous single-family campsites, as well as a group site. Campsites are available for tent and RV camping, however, no hookups are provided. Many sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Limited parking is available at the campground. An amphitheater is located on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Forest | Lassen National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made up to 4 days in advance and can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites and 12 months in advance for group… |
| Fees | Fees range from $15 - 18 for standard sites and $36 - 100 for group sites. |
| Rules | Fee must be paid upon arrival and prior to each night of camping, Fee regulations are strictly enforced. Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am. Campfires allowed only in provided fire rings. 2 vehicles (including RVs/Boats/Etc.) and 8 persons allowed in each campsite. Pets must remain on a leash or confined at all times. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Chester, take Highway 36 west to Highway 89 South. Turn left on Highway 89 and continue south about 6 miles, to Almanor Drive West (not to be confused with Almanor West development and Almanor West Drive).
| Nearest town | Chester, California |
| Coordinates | 40.2169° N, 121.1678° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Understory Drake Unit 6 8 &10 Rx
33 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Underburn Drake Unit 7 & 9 Rx
34 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 31.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 47.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Last Chance Campground | Lake Almanor | Trout Fishing | Deer Scouting
Worth a stop
The campground is located 12 miles outside of the town of Chester, California.
- 0.5 miAlmanor Beach ↗Swimming
- 0.5 miAlmanor Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 1.1 miAlmanor Picnic ↗Day use
- 4.7 miCanyon Dam Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miAlmanor Cross0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miFanani Meadow ↗6.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.2 miLake Almanor Recreation Trail ↗9.8 mi trail · hiking, bike, ski
- 3.2 miWeather Station0.7 mi trail
- 3.7 miLassen Tie1.4 mi trail
- 4.2 miOhio Tie0.6 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
This campground sits inside Lassen National Forest.
- inLassen National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,488,712 acres
- 0.3 miPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
- 14.5 miBucks Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 23,578 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
Natural features
The campground sits on the west shore of Lake Almanor at an elevation of 4,540 feet. A scenic mixed conifer forest covers the area. Parts of the campground are shaded, while other sections have grassy meadows that often contain wildflowers.
Recreation
The 28,000-acre lake provides ample boating, swimming, water skiing and sailing opportunities. A boat ramp can be found next to the north campground. The adjacent beach is mostly rocky, but contains some sand. Fishing in the lake or nearby streams, is a popular activity. Anglers will find a variety of trout, bass, salmon and catfish, among other species. The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail can be accessed from within the campground. The trail winds through the forest, providing spectacular views of the lake, nearby Dyer Mountain and Lassen Peak. The trail stretches approximately 11 miles along the west shore of the lake. It is a non-motorized trail, open to all non-motorized activity.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Almanor?
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 Almanor?
Fees range from $15 - 18 for standard sites and $36 - 100 for group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Almanor?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Almanor open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Almanor have?
55 sites, including 17 standard sites without power, 2 group sites, and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Almanor?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Almanor?
Yes, pets are allowed at Almanor. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Almanor?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Fee must be paid upon arrival and prior to each night of camping, Fee regulations are strictly enforced.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Almanor?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Almanor?
The 28,000-acre lake provides ample boating, swimming, water skiing and sailing opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Almanor?
Chester, California. The campground is located 12 miles outside of the town of Chester, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Almanor is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Legacy Campground (1.2 mi, first-come), Soldier Meadows Campground (5.6 mi, first-come), and High Bridge Campground (11.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby