Lakes Basin

Plumas National Forest
Nighttime reading, Plumas National Forest

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

11 total sites

RV Sites

7 sites

Tent Sites

4 sites

About Lakes Basin

Lakes Basin Campground (6,445 feet) is situated in the ruins of an old lodge, Lakes Center Lodge, built in 1912 and removed in the late 1970's. Some of the old stonework still exists, including steps leading into a deep pool of Gray Eagle Creek. This campground is within easy reach of many trailheads. The campground also offers a tent only group campsite by reservation only. 

Number of accommodations: 11

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Jun 12 to Sep 6

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

11 Sites Available

Site
Price
001, Loop: GROUP Tent
25 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 004, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
010, Loop: FAM Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
013, Loop: FAM Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 020, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: FAM RV
No Hookups
Price not available
022, Loop: FAM Tent
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 6A6B, Loop: MULT RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (74)

What Guests Are Saying

Lakes Basin Campground is exceptionally well-maintained, with friendly and knowledgeable hosts who enhance the experience. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities and beautiful natural surroundings, including accessible hiking trails and swimming options. Many campers have returned for decades, praising the inviting atmosphere and the dedication of the camp hosts, particularly John and Sugie.

Review Summary

4.3
74 reviews
5
68.9%
51
4
13.5%
10
3
8.1%
6
2
1.4%
1
1
8.1%
6

David T

Verified

November 28, 2022 Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM

5

Great campground. We stayed in site #2 July 20-26. Site was reasonably level - only 1 "Lego" needed for 27 foot motorhome. Warm during the day, cool at night. Lots of nearby hikes. Our dog loved it too!

Suzannah R

Verified

July 17, 2023 Stayed at: 6A6B, Loop: MULT

3

This is a beautiful campsite in a spectacular area with great hiking. Lots of wildflowers this trip in early July. The reason I did not give it a better rating is that there is no potable water and we were not advised of that. Evidently there has been no water at the site since last fall. This should have been made clear to anyone booking a site. Had to go into Graeagle to buy water and get our container filled up. Also to buy firewood as there was no camp host or firewood to buy at campsite. Some of the campsites were in bad shape with broken tables. I think from a severe winter and lack of good management at the campsite this year. Hopefully this will get sorted out as it has always been very well run before.

michael d

Verified

July 19, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: FAM

3

Lakes Basin is a beautiful campground with many amazing recreational opportunities. Wonderful area and we enjoyed our hikes and swims!

rhoda b

Verified

July 19, 2023 Stayed at: 013, Loop: FAM

1

Well to start off, there was no water at all. They have not turn the water on yet and for July 5. It should’ve been on and running by then I would think and the pit toilets hadn’t been cleaned out since the year before they were about a foot below the seat, which was pretty darn gross. So I think I should have my money back to tell you the truth except for my family being there it was a pretty bad experience especially for them that were camping in tents with no water. Thank you.

Lynn G

Verified

July 20, 2023 Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM

1

Camp host was not on site. There was no water. Garbage was a complete bear bait. The dumpster was mounded and spilling over on to the ground.

Stian R

Verified

July 24, 2023 Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM

2

No camp host to resolve issues on site. No firewood for sale. No running water. Garbage dumpster was overflowing. People camping without paying / taking other people's reserved sites. Pretty terrible management this year.

michael h

Verified

July 31, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: GROUP

1

p

Wendy T

Verified

August 4, 2023 Stayed at: 022, Loop: FAM

5

We loved our site, so close to the hikes to various lakes and flowers!

Marilyn F

Verified

August 14, 2023 Stayed at: 021, Loop: FAM

3

When I arrived someone was in our site; they were planning on staying another night. I told them that I didn't want to just take another site as we had a lot of stuff to set up. They eventually left. We waited for an 1 and 1/2 hrs for them to leave. NO HOST. Some TP stacked in corner but gone every day. I had brought my own. Every day was without TP; Wed- Sun. Still wasn't there when we left at noon. I wanted to add another night and hoped that I didn't have to move my tent again as there weren't any updates on sites.

Brad D

Verified

August 15, 2023 Stayed at: 020, Loop: FAM

1

21 years of going to LB and this was by far the worst. Site reservations were not updated, so campers in sites that were suppose to be empty but were actually reserved. Total confusion. NO CAMP HOST. NO FIREWOOD. FIRE PIT IN OUR CAMPSITE (21) WAS DISASSEMBLED / UNUSABLE. NO TOILET PAPER X 2 DAYS. We had reservation for five days. We left after two. We haven't decided if we are going back. What a shame to end this long tradition on such a sour note.

Location Lakes Basin

Address:
Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District
Blairsden, CA, 96103
United States

Elevation: 2053 feet

Distance to downtown

14 mi drive to downtown Blairsden (about 24 min)

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • About half the sites are available on first come first serve
  • Generally, campsites will accommodate 2 vehicles. The first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle fee will be collected onsite at the daily rate posted on the fee sign.
  • Caution: bears, raccoons, etc. frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
  • No RVs on sites 10, 13, 22 and site 1 (group site) Also, only one vehicle allowed in sites 10 and 22.
  • Water spigots are shared between sites.
  • Walk-in sites available year round (weather permitting).
  • After mid-September there is dry camping only.
  • Click here for more information on the Plumas National Forest
  • Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by using only local firewood. This wood is available for purchase from the camp host, or collecting in the national forest. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • Behaved pets are welcome. Dogs in the campground must be on leash.
  • Off road vehicles are not allowed on any campground road.
  • Firewood Bundles are available for purchase from a Campground Host.
  • Campground Map  

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service