Lake Davis, Plumas National Forest
Lake Davis, Plumas National Forest

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

16 total sites

About Lightning Tree

Lightning Tree Campground (5.8 ft) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. The lake was formed by damming Grizzly Creek in 1967. The purpose of the lake was to provide water for the town of Portola, improve area fishing and provide recreation opportunities. The 32 mi of shoreline has several boat launch facilities and fishing access points. Lightning Tree Campground is a great place to serve as hub for family fun and recreation. At the end of the day return to this home away from home to relax around the campfire. 

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

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Water Access

Water Access

  • Boat Ramp / Launch
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

16 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 13 ft · Paved
🚐 002, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 24 ft · Gravel
🚐 005, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 37 × 25 ft · Paved
🚐 006, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 44 × 13 ft · Paved
🚐 009, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 12 ft · Paved
🚐 012, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 34 × 18 ft · Paved
🚐 013, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 017, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 35 ft · Paved
🚐 024, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 12 ft · Paved
🚐 025, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 24 ft · Gravel
🚐 027, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 39 × 24 ft · Paved
🚐 030, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 94 × 12 ft · Paved
🚐 031, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 37 × 12 ft · Paved
🚐 034, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 86 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 037, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE RV
Pet Friendly · 43 × 12 ft · Paved

Reviews (64)

What Guests Are Saying

Lightning Tree is praised for its clean and spacious campsites, beautiful views, and friendly camp hosts, particularly Steven, who is noted for his helpfulness. The campground offers a peaceful environment ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities, including kayaking and birdwatching. However, some guests mentioned issues with noise from other campers and high pricing compared to other campgrounds, along with minor maintenance concerns regarding picnic tables and trash around the site.

Review Summary

4.4
64 reviews
5
62.5%
40
4
25.0%
16
3
4.7%
3
2
3.1%
2
1
4.7%
3

John C

Verified

August 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

4

Great beautiful location. Not too crowed, so was quiet and a great get away.

Danielle F

Verified

August 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

Campsite and bathrooms were extremely clean. Love that it’s paved, very close to town. Campsite host is the sweetest most helpful guy. 10 out of 10

Jenna G

Verified

July 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

Camp Host Steven was wonderful and we loved how spacious and spread out the sites were!

Rennie S

Verified

July 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

The host was incredible, attentive, communicative, engaging and supportive. The space and area was clean.

J. S. M

Verified

July 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

Lightening Tree is a beautiful campground. The campsites are not too close together. Some sites are a bit short even for a 22 ft camper. I had to hang the tail end off the pad in order to have room to park my pickup near it. There was surprisingly few campers when I was there which made it nice. I don't like it when there's a constant stream of cars, boats, RVs and ATVs driving by.
It was relatively quiet and there weren't too many insects, especially no yellowjackets, altho' I did my cooking and eating inside my trailer.
The camp host, Steven, was very friendly and helpful. He came by regularly to ask if I needed anything and brought me a bundle of firewood the first night.

richard e

Verified

June 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

1

Campground un swept, un racked pine cones and deep pine needles. Picnic table in very bad shape has not been maintained and painted in years. Never saw any camp staff do anything but change the reservation tags and occasionally clean the restroom. No general campground cleaning or upkeep was seen the entire week we were there.

Rodney A

Verified

October 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

We love Lightning tree. The only downside they no longer leave this campground open year round. Fall camping was wonderful, and access for hunters and fishermen to camp.
Most of us dry camp, so it’s not necessary for the water to be on or restrooms open.
It was always a No Host campground in the off season.

Eric G

Verified

September 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

Great spot with easy access to the water

Jim L

Verified

September 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

5

Great camp host, sites were really clean.

PATRICK S

Verified

August 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: AREA LIGHTNING TREE

3

beautiful location

Location & Directions for Lightning Tree

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

Elevation: 1,766 ft

Getting There

From Reno, travel north on Highway 395 to Highway 70 and turn west to Portola. From Portola, take County Road 126 north for 7 mi, then County Road 112 to the east side of Lake Davis. Continue approximately 5 mi to the campground, which is on the l...

Nearest town

Blairsden, CA - 23 mi

About 32 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • 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.
  • Some sites are available on a first-come, first serve basis.
  • Bears frequent the area; practice safe food storage techniques. Bear resistant lockers are not provided. Click here for more information.
  • Frequent strong winds can cause the lake to become very hazardous for small craft.
  • Water skiing and jet skiing are not permitted on the lake.
  • Click here for more information on the Plumas National Forest.
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • Of road vehicles are not allowed on any campground roads.
  • Campground Map  

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Blairsden, CA

Nearby larger city

Reno, NV

Approx. 46 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,393 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service