OutReserve

Packsaddle

Packer Lake
Packsaddle
Packsaddle Campground Corral
Packsaddle
Packer Lake

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly
Pet Friendly

About Packsaddle

Packsaddle Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, north of the Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Number of accommodations: 14

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly
  • Potable Water
    Potable Water

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 1

Sites & Availability

14 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 008, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: PACKSADDLE
No Hookups
$24.00
/ per night

Reviews (46)

What Guests Are Saying

Packsaddle offers beautiful surroundings near Packer Lake and the Sierra Buttes, making it a favored spot for camping, especially for returning visitors. However, some issues were noted, including uneven campsites, limited space for vehicles and tents, and concerns about restroom cleanliness. Despite these drawbacks, many appreciate the access to nearby trails and the spacious, shaded sites.

Review Summary

3.6
46 reviews
5
26.1%
12
4
30.4%
14
3
26.1%
12
2
8.7%
4
1
8.7%
4

kimberly h

Verified

October 10, 2025 Stayed at: 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE

2

We booked online in advance and upon arrival the bear box was broken and unusable. The website had stated the site would also accommodate 2 cars / 2 tents and this was not true. There was room for only 1 car , and most of the site was on a slant and not ideal for a tent. The site should be blocked off online if the bear box is broken.

John S

Verified

August 24, 2025 Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE

5

Downieville trails. What else is there to say? Best single track moto and bike riding around.

John P

Verified

January 20, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE

1

Uneven campsites. No cell service. Bears everywhere. Too close with PCT so there's lot of wandering hikers through the campground for water access!

Restrooms: Smelly hole in the ground out house

Tracy G

Verified

August 20, 2024 Stayed at: 009, Loop: PACKSADDLE

3

The campground has beautiful surroundings: Packer Lake, the Sierra Buttes. The campground itself is fine, nothing too special. Our site (#9) was not at all level and we were jacking up our trailer until the wheels on one side were barely touching. Yikes. Sure would've been nice to have paved, level sites. Issues with yellow jackets but another campsite put up a trap and that seemed to help. Sites are spacious and ours had plenty of shade.

Ebbo S

Verified

August 18, 2024 Stayed at: 005, Loop: PACKSADDLE

4

We just love Packsaddle! This is our fourth consecutive year going there. No complaints other than the outhouse is much smellier than other vault type outhouses. Having said that I’ll be all over next summer’s reservations!

Cathey B

Verified

August 18, 2024 Stayed at: 012, Loop: PACKSADDLE

5

Great small camp site, close to all the roads and trails!

Lea A

Verified

July 21, 2024 Stayed at: 012, Loop: PACKSADDLE

3

The campsite next to us had 4 cars, a camping trailer, a generator and about ten people staying there. There were clearly more cars and people than the campsite was intended to hold. Meanwhile, my group of five made the effort to reserve two campsites to spread out impact out more. It's unfortunate when people overwhelm a campsite and are inconsiderate of others.

Edward A

Verified

July 10, 2024 Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE

4

Trash bins were full.

Barbara G

Verified

November 9, 2023 Stayed at: 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE

3

Space 11 is not very level and we had trouble there. Otherwise, Packsaddle is quiet and peaceful.

Peter S

Verified

October 30, 2023 Stayed at: 007, Loop: PACKSADDLE

4

The picnic tables are in complete disrepair. Its time to update the tables and get them back in shape. The picnic table at our site (site 7) had pieces falling off and was basically not usable. All the screws holding it together were rusted away and the table had both seats and top boards falling off.
Otherwise, I love this campsite. Hope they can get the tables fixed in the near future.

Location Packsaddle

Address:
Yuba River Ranger Station
Nevada City, CA, 95959
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 39.6247 / -120.65

Elevation: 1864 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

In accordance with standard industry practices, we will be assessing a $5 additional vehicle fee on the 'second vehicle' in each single family campsite, and on the 'third and fourth vehicle' in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered to be one vehicle and the third and fourth are also considered to be one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.

General

Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers

General

Utility hookups and showers are not available

General

Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest

General

Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231(voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD).

General

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.

General

No Show Policy
A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). 
* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.
* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.
There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. 
There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. 
Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations