Lookout Campground
Lookout Campground is located on the California/Nevada border just west of Reno, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 6,770 feet in a large aspen grove.
More like this: 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 | 18 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 11 | Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 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 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
The site records list sites up to 200 ft. The campground description says a 15 ft maximum.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
This campground has 17 first-come, first-served campsites (including two double sites) and one reservable group picnic area that can accommodate up to 100 people. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and tent pad. There are four vault toilets and trash service. There are no electric hookups and no dump stations. Trailers and RVs should be limited to 15 feet in length (however, two sites could accommodate up to 30 foot lengths). To ensure that campfires are extinguished completely, there is non-potable water available on site (no drinking water available). Please bring your own firewood as none is available on site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May to October |
| Forest | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations needed, first come, first serve. |
| Fees | Per Day: $6 |
| Rules | Dog must be on a leash at campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Truckee, CA travel east on I-80. Take Exit 2 toward Verdi, NV. Turn right on 3rd St./US 40. Travel 1 mile then turn left on Bridge St. From Reno, NV travel west on I-80. Take Exit 5 toward Verdi, NV/State Route 425. Stay on Route 425 for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Bridge St.
| Nearest town | Carson City, Nevada, California |
| Coordinates | 39.5889° N, 120.0736° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- It is not a highly developed campground, but it is considered a secret hideaway by those lucky enough to know about this remote gem.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
46 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 7.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 31.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Coziest Brick-Built Campground! | Funwhole Lookout Campground Review
Worth a stop
Crystal Peak is known for its impressive crystal formations. Dog Valley and Peavine Mountain are popular off-highway vehicle and mountain biking areas. The American Discovery Trail also runs through this area.
- 11 miHorizon Hills Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.1 miRaleigh Heights Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.6 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miCrystal Peak Nature0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miBadenaugh Canyon2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.2 miBig Dipper1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 4.2 miSingle A1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.4 miSingle B0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.4 miBig Air Cutoff0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
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
Tahoe National Forest begins about 4.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.1 miTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- 12.5 miMt. Rose Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 31,223 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
- 1872 California-Nevada State Boundary MarkerObject · Verdi · 5.9 mi
- Peavine RanchBuilding · Reno · 8.6 mi
- Black Springs Volunteer FirehouseBuilding · Reno · 11.6 mi
Natural features
Visitors to this campground will be surrounded by a lush aspen, pine, and fir forest. Sites are well spaced to afford visitors plenty of privacy.
Recreation
Adjacent to the campground is 'Crystal Peak', which can be accessed by vehicle or a short hike. This area is also popular for off-highway vehicles, wildlife viewing, and hunting opportunities.
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 Lookout Campground?
Sites at Lookout Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. No reservations needed, first come, first serve. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lookout Campground?
Per Day: $6
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lookout Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Lookout Campground have?
20 sites, including 18 standard sites without power and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lookout Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 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 there showers or a dump station at Lookout Campground?
There are no electric hookups and no dump stations.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lookout Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lookout Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lookout Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Dog must be on a leash at campground.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Lookout Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lookout Campground?
Adjacent to the campground is 'Crystal Peak', which can be accessed by vehicle or a short hike. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lookout Campground?
Carson City, Nevada, California. Crystal Peak is known for its impressive crystal formations.
Source: Getting there
What if Lookout Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Emigrant Group (8.5 mi), Bear Valley Campground (8.9 mi, first-come), and Logger Campground (9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby