Fish Lake Campground
Open mid-June through September. Campsite list calender is for the next reservable dates. Fish Lake Campground lies on the shore of its beautiful namesake, on the Orleans Ranger District of Six Rivers National Forest. Lily pads thrive on the lake, and Douglas fir and cedar trees provide ample shade and a secluded camping experience.
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
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 24 |
Site guide
24 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pull-through | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 2 | Back-in | 19 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | Back-in | 19 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 5 | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 6 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 7 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | Back-in | 19 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 9 | Back-in | 29 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | 16 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:30 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 28 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 19, 20, 22 are listed accessible |
Most sites are suitable for both tent and RV camping. Vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings with grills are provided.
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. |
| Forest | Six Rivers National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777; TDD: 1 (877) 833-6777; International: 1 (606) 515-6777. |
| Fees | $10 per night for camping; $5 per extra vehicle; $5.00 day use fee. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Orleans, California, take State Route 96 south for about 8 miles. Turn north on Bluff Creek Road and continue about 4.7 miles to Fish Lake Road. Turn right and continue almost 3 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Orleans, California |
| Coordinates | 41.2642° N, 123.6844° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedLeary Rx
5 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRoots & Shoots Rx: Or
7 mi from the campground
- PrescribedBull D Bear Grass Rx
7 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSrf 2026 Rx Implementation
8 mi from the campground · 500 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Adventure's Edge ↗ | 34.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Utah camping spots Fish Lake | RVAddict
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miFish Lake0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miRed Mountain Lake1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miBlue Lake0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miBluff Not A0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miBluff Not B0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miBluff Creek Historical Trail1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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 Six Rivers National Forest.
- inSix Rivers National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,273,949 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
On the National Register nearby
- Hoopa Valley AdobeBuilding · Hoopa · 15 mi
Natural features
Located about 1,780 feet above sea level, the campground is nestled in a mixed hardwood and conifer forest with fir and Port Orford cedar trees that provide low-level shade and friendly midsummer breezes. Fish Lake is believed to be the second-largest freshwater lake in California's Humboldt County. Some campsites offer sweeping lake views, while others are within a short walk of the water.
Recreation
Canoeing and swimming are popular activities on the lake. The kayaking, whitewater rafting and fishing at the nearby Klamath, Trinity and Salmon Rivers is considered some of the best in northern California. Campers can hike a system of trails, including the Blue Lake, Red Lake and Fish Lake trails, all of which have trailheads in the campground. Visitors also enjoy fishing for trout, bluegill, and bass in the lake or explore native plants and wildlife throughout the lush region.
Nearby
Weitchpec, California, at the junction of State Highways 96 and 169, is located about 12 miles south of the campground. Yurok tribal offices, a community center, and a small grocery store and gas station are available.
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 Fish Lake Campground?
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 Fish Lake Campground?
$10 per night for camping; $5 per extra vehicle; $5.00 day use fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Fish Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:30 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Fish Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Fish Lake Campground have?
24 sites, including 24 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Fish Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 28 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 Fish Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Fish Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Fish Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Fish Lake Campground?
Sites 19, 20, and 22 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 Fish Lake Campground?
Canoeing and swimming are popular activities on the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Fish Lake Campground?
Orleans, California. Weitchpec, California, at the junction of State Highways 96 and 169, is located about 12 miles south of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Fish Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are E-Ne-Nuck Campground (2.4 mi, first-come), Aikens Creek West Campground (2.9 mi, first-come), and Pearch Creek Campground (9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby