Featured amenities
Available sites
11 total sitesAbout Lakes Basin
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
11 Sites Available
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Site Details
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11 Sites Available
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Reviews (77)
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.
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
michael h
VerifiedJuly 31, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: GROUP
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Stian R
VerifiedJuly 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM
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.
Lynn G
VerifiedJuly 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM
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.
rhoda b
VerifiedJuly 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: FAM
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.
michael d
VerifiedJuly 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: FAM
Lakes Basin is a beautiful campground with many amazing recreational opportunities. Wonderful area and we enjoyed our hikes and swims!
Suzannah R
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 6A6B, Loop: MULT
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.
David T
VerifiedNovember 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM
Great campground. We stayed in site #2 July 20-26. Site was reasonably level - only 1 "Lego" needed for 27 ft motorhome. Warm during the day, cool at night. Lots of nearby hikes. Our dog loved it too!
Dennis P
VerifiedOctober 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM
I love this place and visit here as often as possible. We have been coming here for 20 years. In the last 2 years the long time camp host retired. It is usually free this time of year, because they shut off the water, but I wanted to secure my spot, just in case. I reserved spot #18 for 4 nights, and when I got there a couple had definitely moved in. I was flexible and chose another spot. The new camp host was very apologetic and neither of us wanted to make someone move. But my site was in the shade, (but still beautiful!) and it got down to the mud 40’s. Just wanted you to know that there was definitely a communication problem. I’m guessing because the host was new that it was on their end. I plan on using rec.gov again and definitely staying again at Lakes Basin, but hoping my next reservation is for the site that I chose and paid for.
Thank you!!
Tom P
VerifiedOctober 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: FAM
Great location with hiking trails to several beautiful lakes. The Long Lake-Big Bear Lake Loop is a must do!
Debra B
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: FAM
Lakes Basin Campground is an excellent location for hiking in that area. However facilities are minimal and spaces have little privacy. Water from spigots was rusty. Didn’t look at the outhouses as we had our own facilities. It was very quiet though.
Location & Directions for Lakes Basin
Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District, Blairsden, CA 96103 United States
Elevation: 2,053 ft
Getting There
In Graeagle, CA, at the intersection of State Rt. 89 and Forest Rt. 24 (Gold Lakes directional sign), turn onto Rt. 24 and go 6.9 mi to campground sign. Turn right onto the single-lane road and proceed 0.3 mi. The campground will be on the right.
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: October 19, 2026