Packsaddle

Overall we really enjoyed our stay at Packsaddle; and we will go back.
Originally booked site 13; it was pretty bad, very uneven, no shade, have to walk uphill to the decrepit picnic table that was being held up on one leg by a burned out log.
Fortunately we were able to relocate to another site, which was perfectly adequate.
Great hikes with beautiful sites along the PCT and lovely nearby lakes.
No site host. Typical vault bathrooms.
Rangers come through daily to switch out reservation tags.
Refreshing , cold potable water at hand pump

My wife and I have been camping in this area for 30 years, primarily at Salmon Creek Campground. This trip (6 nights) was our first time at Packsaddle.
Overall we were pleased with the campground. Fewer sites made it feel more remote with less traffic nearby on the road to the Buttes parking lot. The campsites are quite rocky and not really comfortably level for tents or rv, but that is a minor drawback. I would consider using Packsaddle again because of the quietness of the site compared to the busy-ness of Salmon Creek due to the nuisance and speedy traffic of people constantly driving through at unreasonable speeds and the noise of Gold Lake Highway.

High marks for the overall campground. Low marks for the restroom maintenence and camper oversight. Restroom out of toilet paper for 3 of our 5 days. Everyone typically brings but why not maintain? Large dogs from 2 campsites running loose 2 days of our stay. Had to clean up dog poop from our site when we returned from hiking.

Beautiful pristine Sierra forests surround this campsite. It's a wonder to behold. The foot trails are are full of stunning surprises. We can't wait to get back.

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

We were in campsite 1, First Come First served because we wanted to stay three days and could only reserve one day on the other site. It was a big site and nice even though it was next to the road, however you need to clean up the site. There was tons of down trees and dead wood which meant there was tons of yellow jackets! We couldn't eat at all, we literally would walk around when eating in the morning so the yellow jackets wouldn't get to us. At night we had to wait until it was completely dark to eat. So please pick up all the dead wood and trees lying around, it attracts the yellow jackets. Thank you.

This was my 4th annual trip to Packsaddle. Be prepared to see a lot more people this year...

Big size sites, most well shaded. Nice having the horses there. However, NO host on site. That meant no firewood or regularly cleaned toilets. Indeed, one was so bad smelling it was locked, and then re-opened the day after we arrived. There are only two vaults for the entire campground. One day there was no toilet paper in one of them. The PCT runs along the rear of the campground, so you'll see a number of them during summer. Packer Lake is just a few stones throw up the road.

It would have been helpful for the website to describe the unique nature of Site 16 - as it is basically located in the circle parking lot - not your typical campsite at all.

Packsaddle is a dream! Right on the PCT so start hiking! Love the water well. Lovely warm mornings and delightful breezes always. Very spacious camp sites. Easy stroll to Packer Lake for great fishing. Quick drive to the Sierra Buttes Lookout trailhead. Lots of flies due to the horse corral sadly (wish they were better about cleaning the manure!) and the pit toilets are hit or miss..