Available sites
14 total sites
RV Sites
About Packsaddle
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
14 Sites Available
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14 Sites Available
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Reviews (99)
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
Arne P
VerifiedAugust 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
great place to stay!
David R
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Pack Saddle is a nice campground. Site 13 is not a great site for tent campers. It's on a hill and there's basically no flat ground. Sites 10, 11, 12 were booked online but empty for the three days we were there which was disappointing. We still had a wonderful time exploring the area.
David R
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Pack Saddle is a nice campground. Site 13 is not a great site for tent campers. It's on a hill and there's basically no flat ground. Sites 10, 11, 12 were booked online but empty for the three days we were there which was disappointing. We still had a wonderful time exploring the area.
Richard D
VerifiedJuly 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: PACKSADDLE
My reserved site did not have a reserved placard and so was occupied by some one else. There was no trash bin. Some campers had left their garbage bagged out for the bears. There was no toilet paper. It is a beautiful spot.
Cheri H
VerifiedJuly 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Lots of great hikes!
Richard D
VerifiedJuly 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: PACKSADDLE
My reserved site did not have a reserved placard and so was occupied by some one else. There was no trash bin. Some campers had left their garbage bagged out for the bears. There was no toilet paper. It is a beautiful spot.
Cheri H
VerifiedJuly 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Lots of great hikes!
Kalypso R
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Stayed in site 15 for the horse corrals, which are listed as belonging to 15 & 16 but in reality are only in 15's site. Would love to see more horse corrals added to site 15 too! The corrals were in a bit of disrepair due to the bad winter we had, but they were still usable. I would also love it if the campsite had a dumpster, as people just piled their trash around the recycling bins. Otherwise we had a great time horse camping and will be back.
Kalypso R
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Stayed in site 15 for the horse corrals, which are listed as belonging to 15 & 16 but in reality are only in 15's site. Would love to see more horse corrals added to site 15 too! The corrals were in a bit of disrepair due to the bad winter we had, but they were still usable. I would also love it if the campsite had a dumpster, as people just piled their trash around the recycling bins. Otherwise we had a great time horse camping and will be back.
John M
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Clean bathroom and very few campers. Right near Pacific Crest Trail so we did meet PCT hikers. Great place to do day hikes on the PCT as you are so close. Old fashioned water pump ,but worked well. Some sites were on a slight hill grade. Nice and quiet campground at night. Ranger came around once a day. No camp host. No cell phone service. Close to Packer Lake, Salmon Lake and Saddle Lake. Beautiful lakes to kayak and fish. Some have resort cabins to stay in.
Location & Directions for Packsaddle
Yuba River Ranger Station, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States
Elevation: 1,864 ft
Getting There
<p>From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 mi. 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 fo...
From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 mi. 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 mi and turn left into the campground.
From Sierraville, travel south (west) on Highway 49 for about 17 mi. 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 mi and turn left into the campground.
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: October 21, 2026
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Population: 3,172
Elevation: 2,513 ft
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