Medicine Lake Recreation Area
The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.
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
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 75 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 75 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
75 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 033 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 034 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 035 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 036 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 037 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 038 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 039 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 040 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 041 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 042 | A.H. Hogue Campground | Back-in | 75 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | 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 | 75 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Medicine Lake Recreation Area is comprised of five campgrounds; Medicine, A.H. Hogue, Hemlock, Headquarters, and Schonchin Springs Campgrounds. Nearby the campgrounds are Picnic Area and Boat Launch sites. Campsites vary between somewhat rugged with limited parking space to larger areas suitable for recreation vehicles. Facilities include vault toilets, water hydrants and garbage dumpsters. Campsites include a picnic table, fire ring and a barbeque grill. There are a total of 86 campsites throughout the five campgrounds. Fifteen of these sites are available for advanced reservations and located within the Medicine and A.H. Hogue Campgrounds. Schonchin Springs is the only campground without water.
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 | Traditionally open from July 1st - October |
| Forest | Modoc National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made for 15 of the 75 campsites at Medicine Lake by visiting Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 7 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | $15/single campsite per night. $5/vehicle for boat ramp and swim beach day use area. Day Use and Boat Ramp Annual Pass is now available for $20 at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor’s Office, which is located at 225 West 8th Street, Alturas, CA. |
| Rules | Dogs must remain on a leash at all times within the campgrounds and day use area. Please clean up after your dog. Camping limit 14 days. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From McCloud go east on US Hwy 89 south for 16 miles to Forest Service Road 15/Harris Spring Rd. Turn left on Road 15 and go 4.4 miles to Forest Service Road 49/Medicine Lake Road. Follow the signs 27.5 miles to Medicine Lake. From Tulelake take US Hwy 139 south for 21 miles to Forest Service Road 97.
| Nearest town | Tulelake, California |
| Coordinates | 41.5858° N, 121.5856° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Sportsmens Den ↗ | 42 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Medicine Lake Provincial Park Camping
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miMedicine Lakeshore Trail1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miMedicine Lake Glass Flow Trail0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miLittle Medicine Lake Trail0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miLittle Medicine Loop0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miCrystal Springs Trail1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miLittle Mount Hoffman Trail3.1 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 Klamath National Forest.
- inKlamath National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,705,451 acres
- 4.3 miModoc National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,023,026 acres
- 8.3 miLava Beds Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 28,460 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Medicine Lake Recreation Area is nestled along Medicine Lake and mostly sheltered by mature lodgepole pine trees but can be windy at times. The Recreation Area lies adjacent to the Medicine Lake Lava Flow which is accessible by a short hike. The Glass Mtn. and Burnt Lava Flow Geologic Areas are located within a 15-minute drive.
Recreation
The Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. The adjacent Day Use Areas accommodate boating with a concrete boat ramp and dock. Swimming is available in a designated swimming area next to the Picnic Area. Hiking and mountain biking are available on trails originating in the Recreation Area. The longest of these trails is the trail up Little Mt Hoffman.
Nearby
Nearby are a few other federal sites with interesting features. The Lava Beds National Monument is located within a half-hour drive and includes lava caves and tubes. The Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge is located within an hour's drive where many types of migratory waterfowl can be viewed.
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 Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
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 Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
$15/single campsite per night. $5/vehicle for boat ramp and swim beach day use area. Day Use and Boat Ramp Annual Pass is now available for $20 at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor’s Office, which is located at 225 West 8th Street, Alturas, CA.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Medicine Lake Recreation Area open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Traditionally open from July 1st - October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Medicine Lake Recreation Area have?
75 sites, including 75 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 75 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 Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Medicine Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times within the campgrounds and day use area.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
The Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Medicine Lake Recreation Area?
Tulelake, California. Nearby are a few other federal sites with interesting features.
Source: Getting there
What if Medicine Lake Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Schonchin Springs Campground (1.7 mi, first-come), Payne Springs Campground (2.5 mi, first-come), and Indian Well Campground (10 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby