Hutchins
Hutchins Group Campground is the perfect location for groups who want to explore the greater Bucks Lake area of the Plumas National Forest. This campground was severely impacted by the Dixie Fire in 2021. Timber salvage management has left the campground barren and hot so prepare by providing adequate shade for your stay. American Land & Leisure are the concession operators working for PG&E to service the campgrounds, boat ramps and day use areas that are owned by the USDA Forest Service.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 27 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Back-in | 27 | Paved | Full | 25 / 8 | Yes |
| B | Back-in | 27 | Paved | Full | 25 / 8 | Yes |
| C | 27 | Paved | Full | 25 / 8 | Yes |
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 |
| Max vehicle length | 27 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This campground currently has no water. Water is available at the nearby Sandy Point Day Use Area and Haskins Campground. The campground offers three large group campsites for tent and RV camping. Each site has a limit of eight vehicles and 24 people. Multiple tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as well as vault toilets. A roving campground host is available intermittently to answer questions and provide additional information. There are several boat ramps available around the perimeter of the 1,820-acre lake, including the closest one to Hutchins, at Sandy Point. A convenience store with gas, phone and propane is located within five miles of the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Plumas National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Bucks Lake is 10 miles west of Quincy on the Oro-Quincy Highway (Highway 162). From Oroville, travel east on Highway 162 for approximately 45 miles to Bucks Lake Dam Road. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 39.8831° N, 121.1992° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- A wilderness permit is not required; however, it is advised that hikers and backpackers leave an itinerary at the trailhead or with campground host.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 34.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mike Friend RVs ↗ | 36.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.3 miHutchins Campground0.2 mi trail
- 1.8 miRight Hand Branch Mill Creek ↗4.8 mi trail
- 2.6 miMill Creek ↗9 mi trail
- 2.8 miNorth Haskins1.5 mi trail
- 3.6 miRed Fir East0.7 mi trail
- 3.6 miRed Fir West0.4 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 Plumas National Forest.
- inPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
- 1.8 miBucks Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 23,578 acres
- 11.1 miLassen National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,488,712 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
At a 5,000-foot elevation, Hutchins campground provides a great jumping off point to explore the greater Bucks Lake area. Hot days, followed by cooler nights, provide the perfect atmosphere for camping. This campground would be a great place for star gazers night owls who really appreciate a wide open sky for night viewing.
Recreation
The greater Bucks Lake area provides ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and canoeing. The boat ramp at Shady Point provides a boat dock to launch boats, showers, and day use picnicking. Hiking trails are only a short drive away with trailheads located in the Mill Creek Campground, Mill Creek Trailhead on the way to Bucks Summit, and at Bucks Summit where the PCT or Bucks Creek Loop trail are located.
Nearby
The campground is located within walking distance of Bucks Lake. Bucks Lake Wilderness borders the lake and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail System traverses the surrounding area.
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 Hutchins?
Sites at Hutchins are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hutchins?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Hutchins open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Hutchins have?
3 sites, including 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Hutchins?
The longest site here provides 27 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 Hutchins?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hutchins. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hutchins?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hutchins?
The greater Bucks Lake area provides ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and canoeing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Hutchins is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bucks Lake Recreation Area (0.9 mi, first-come), Grizzly Creek Campground (1.2 mi), and Sundew Campground (1.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby