About Packsaddle
Number of accommodations: 14
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
14 Sites Available
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Site Details
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14 Sites Available
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Reviews (92)
What Guests Are Saying
Packsaddle offers beautiful surroundings near Packer Lake and the Sierra Buttes, with spacious sites that provide ample shade and access to great outdoor activities, particularly the popular Downieville trails for biking and moto riding. However, some sites are uneven, and there are issues with broken amenities like the bear box and inadequate restroom facilities. Despite these drawbacks, many visitors enjoy their experiences and plan to return, appreciating the campground's charm and location.
What Guests Are Saying
Packsaddle offers beautiful surroundings near Packer Lake and the Sierra Buttes, with spacious sites that provide ample shade and access to great outdoor activities, particularly the popular Downieville trails for biking and moto riding. However, some sites are uneven, and there are issues with broken amenities like the bear box and inadequate restroom facilities. Despite these drawbacks, many visitors enjoy their experiences and plan to return, appreciating the campground's charm and location.
Review Summary
kimberly h
VerifiedOctober 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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.
kimberly h
VerifiedOctober 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Downieville trails. What else is there to say? Best single track moto and bike riding around.
John S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Downieville trails. What else is there to say? Best single track moto and bike riding around.
John P
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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
John P
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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
VerifiedAugust 20, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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.
Tracy G
VerifiedAugust 20, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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
VerifiedAugust 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: PACKSADDLE
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
VerifiedAugust 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Great small camp site, close to all the roads and trails!
Location Packsaddle
Address:
Yuba River Ranger Station
Nevada City, CA, 95959
United States
From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 miles. Turn left at Bassett Station on Gold Lake Highway and continue just over a mile to Packer Lake Road and turn left. Go less than a mile and turn right on Packer Lake Road. Continue for about 2.5 miles and turn left into the campground.
From Sierraville, travel south (west) on Highway 49 for about 17 miles. Turn left at Bassett Station on Gold Lake Highway and continue just over a mile to Packer Lake Road and turn left. Go less than a mile and turn right on Packer Lake Road. Continue for about 2.5 miles and turn left into the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 39.6247 / -120.65
Elevation: 1864 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- A $5 fee applies for additional vehicles in campsites under specific conditions.
Wildlife & food storage
- To prevent bear encounters, store all food in approved containers.
Utilities
- No utility hookups or showers are provided.
General
- Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
Fires & fuel
- Fire restrictions may be enforced due to weather; contact for current conditions.
- Purchase firewood locally and burn it on-site to protect forests.
Cancellation policy
- No-shows incur fees; contact if late to avoid charges.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
