OutReserve

Lakes Basin

Plumas National Forest
Nighttime reading, Plumas National Forest

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly

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 closed - Opens on Jun 12

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

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

Reviews (61)

What Guests Are Saying

Lakes Basin is a beautiful and well-maintained campground, featuring clean facilities and ample hiking trails. The friendly campground hosts, John and Sugie, are highly praised for their attentiveness and helpfulness, enhancing the overall experience. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings, making it a hidden gem worth returning to.

Review Summary

4.2
61 reviews
5
62.3%
38
4
16.4%
10
3
9.8%
6
2
1.6%
1
1
9.8%
6

Linda H

Verified

July 13, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: FAM

4

Lakes Basin campground is a wonderful place to stay - for individuals, couples, and families. Many places to hike leaving from the campground. a fairly quiet campground which is very nice for those looking for quiet. If you want a party campground go up the road a ways and camp at Gold Lake.

Some picnic tables legs sunk in the mud during the spring and not raised/dug up, so it made it a challenge to use them.

Leslie T

Verified

July 8, 2022 Stayed at: 022, Loop: FAM

3

Lakes Basin is nice, I wish the rules were more closely followed in terms of RV's in tent-only sites, multiple cars in small one-car only sites (it begins to look more like a used car lot than a peaceful outdoor setting) and large groups in smallish sites (see previous). They're nice enough, and I suppose they're trying to save money by stuffing in as many people as they can, but boy! can it get noisy!

Warren P

Verified

July 5, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: LAKE

4

Water spigot in group site, suddenly stopped on 6/24 around 9AM without warning or estimate when it would come back. This caused a big concern for my large group. We ran out of TP in the bathrooms. We told the host and he refilled the toilets. The garbage container capacity is inadequate for the 25 persons allowed in the group site for a long weekend. The garbage was full at the end of the 2nd day.

Jesse C

Verified

June 17, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: FAM

4

t

Leslie T

Verified

June 9, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: FAM

4

I’ve never seen the camp ground so empty! Of course, the weather was wet and cold the week we were there, and school still hasn’t gotten out so that’s probably why. We weren’t camped close to the camp post, but I noticed that he is running his generator every evening, and if I was close to it it would drive me nuts. We are in a tent, and generators are annoying . Plus, I just wonder what it is they need the electricity for? If they want to watch TV, maybe they should’ve stayed at home?

Michael J

Verified

February 10, 2022 Stayed at: 021, Loop: FAM

5

Great campground!

Jessica S

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM

5

Camp hosts were very welcoming. Website for booking was confusing - I meant to book for three days and inadvertently booked for only two nights, then had to pay an extra reservation fee to reserve the third night.

RosaLee H

Verified

July 11, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: FAM

5

Make sure you ask where the swimming hole is if you camp here!

Eric T

Verified

June 24, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM

5

Close to a wide range of lakes and hikes.

Kent W

Verified

June 11, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM

5

Campsite in excellent shape. Hosts keep it clean and neat AND quiet. Toilets clean.
Love this place

Location Lakes Basin

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

Latitude & Longitude: 39.6667 / -120.658

Elevation: 2053 feet

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: June 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service